Officials fear runoff from Route 83 project threatens Loon Lake

Progress isn't always pretty.

Recent heavy rains are causing sediment from the Route 83 road construction project to flow into one of Lake County's most pristine lakes, officials say.

Lake County Board Chairwomen Suzi Schmidt and President of the Loon Lakes Management Association Mike Clifton say runoff from the $20 million project threatens fish and vegetation.

"This is one of the top lakes in the state," Schmidt said. "It's heartbreaking for residents to see this pool of mud flowing into the lake."

Clifton said the 166-acre West Loon Lake is taking the brunt of the flow for now, but the sediment will eventually make its way to East Loon lake. The problem area is just north of Grass Lake Road.

"We've been fighting this since last October," Clifton said. "This is a threat to both fish and vegetation."

Coordinated by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the work calls for road widening, adding a median and turn lanes, resurfacing, new sidewalks, improving drainage and modernizing traffic signals along the 4.6-mile route from Petite Lake Road in Lake Villa through Antioch to the Wisconsin state line.

IDOT officials admit there is a problem but say they are taking steps to remedy the runoff situation.

"Whenever you work on drainage, you have to dig and disrupt the soil," said IDOT chief construction engineer Jacek Tyszkiewicz. "Our main problem is the temporary seeding we put down to control erosion has not taken. The seeding is not doing the job."

Tyszkiewicz said the plan is to install "erosion blankets."

The seed-filled blankets are usually placed in the final stages of construction, but will be put down now, Tyszkiewicz said.

"Considering the sensitivity of the area, we are going to move on this now."

Mike Adam is the chief biologist for the Lake County Health Department. He said the runoff can indeed cause environmental problems for the Lake.

"Loon Lake is one of highest quality lakes in the county and also the state," Adam said. "Having sediment flowing into the lake at this of year when fish are spawning is not good. There are six fish species that are on the state endangered list and one plant species."

Clifton is hoping IDOT's plans will stem the flow of silt.

"We've spent $1 million dollars to preserve this natural area," Clifton said. "We don't want to see it damaged."