Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1974 Version B [PAGE 453]

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1974]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

445

Memorandum of Agreement of May, 1970, which was signed by the State of Illinois, the City of Decatur, the Decatur Sanitary District and the University of Illinois. These questions also relate to the statement of support of the project by Governor Walker in May, 1973. Two of the conditions or assurances of importance both to the Board of Trustees and to Governor Walker are : 1. That the project will not result in significantly increased flooding in Allerton Park or adversely affect the ecology of that park. 2. That the land above the joint-use pool for accommodation of the flood control pool will be covered with foliage and will be generally satisfactory for recreational use when not covered with water. (The University understands that the proposed project has established the joint-use pool elevation at 623.0' above mean sea level [MSL].) The draft Environmental Statement does not provide clear evidence that these two conditions will be met. In addition, because of the reported experience record of other U.S. Corps of Engineers* dams and reservoirs that was not available to us when the 1970 Memorandum of Agreement was negotiated, the Board of Trustees continues to be concerned that possible errors in design or changes in operational procedures following construction of Lake Springer may ultimately result in adverse effects upon the vegetation and wildlife in Allerton Park. Objective No. 7 of the Memorandum of Agreement of 1970 outlines the development of an operational plan for water management in the reservoir. The Board maintains its concern for and interest in the early development of this plan prior to construction of the project. Some of the elements of the Memorandum of Agreement of 1970 have not been implemented and the draft of the Environmental Statement submitted by the Corps of Engineers does not appear to provide clear answers to concerns about "significantly increased flooding" nor about the "adverse effects upon the ecology of Allerton Park." Accordingly, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees reaffirms its position with regard to the requirements of the Memorandum of Agreement of 1970 and declares its unwillingness to continue its present stance toward this project unless assured that those requirements are being and will be met. Toward this end, the Board of Trustees directs the administration of the University to analyze the final draft of the Environmental Statement when completed and to inform the Board concerning whether this statement contains the required assurances. In addition, the Board authorizes the University to retain suitable independent engineering or other consulting assistance to : 1. Analyze the draft Environmental Statement, and other documents, to ascertain the probable effects on Allerton Park, and other University properties, of the dam as now proposed and to report the results and findings of this analysis to the University. 2. Advise the University of any feasible alternatives that would reduce, to an acceptable level, any damage to be expected from the dam. 3. Advise the University as to how it can be guaranteed that the dam and reservoir will be designed, constructed and managed so as to eliminate or restrict possible damage to an acceptable level.

FUTURE MEETINGS OF T H E COMMITTEE O N STUDENT WELFARE AND ACTIVITIES

Mr. Howard raised the question of possible future meetings of the Board of Trustees' Committee on Student Welfare and Activities. Mr. Hahn suggested a three-point program: (1) continue the Chancellor's Conferences as held at present, (2) schedule open hearings of the Committee on Student Welfare and Activities at which students whose names had been submitted previously could appear and address the Committee, and (3) form "leadership committees" made up of officers