For Immediate Release
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022
August 14, 2007

COUNTY PASSES RESOLUTION OPPOSING INDIANA POLICY TO ALLOW INCREASED POLLUTANTS INTO LAKE MICHIGAN 

INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF POLLUTANTS IS “UNACCEPTIBLE” NOTES REDICK

The DuPage County Board, led by Environmental Committee Chairman Jeff Redick, passed a resolution on Tuesday objecting to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s decision to allow for an increase in the amount of harmful chemicals discharged into Lake Michigan.

Under a permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management   (IDEM), BP North American, Inc. will now be allowed a 54 percent increase in the discharge of ammonia and a 35 percent increase in the dumping of suspended solids into Lake Michigan from their refinery in Whiting, Indiana.

This permit and its corresponding ramifications are unacceptable, says Jeff Redick, Chairman of the County’s Environmental Committee. 

Today, DuPage County made it clear that we oppose any increase in the amount of pollutants dumped into the waters in or bordering our State,” says Redick. “Unfortunately for the families of Illinois and Michigan, Indiana decided to make a unilateral decision without taking other State’s concerns into account.”

Redick believes that in the future, a regional approach should be considered when issuing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and notes that this was clearly not the case when IDEM approved the permit in question.

The DuPage Water Commission estimates that almost 750,000 residents obtain drinking water from Lake Michigan. The County has concerns that with the increased levels, the drinking water may require further treatment therefore costing residents additional money.

“As the County, we have been strong advocates for economic development, but it should be understood that we want to promote responsible development,” said Redick.  “DuPage County supports economic growth that is not detrimental to our natural resources.”

To learn more about DuPage County’s commitment to natural resources, please visit www.dupageco.org. 

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