directed at the management of the Illinois mud turtle, and the entire Rig 

 Sand Mound ecosystem, were started by the Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric 

 Co. when they purchased roughly 1650 acres of land, including approximately 

 420 acres of the future Big Sand Mound Nature Reserve, from the DuPont 

 Company in the mid-1970's. Prior to IIGE's purchase, the land had been 

 leased to a hunting club which, although restricting access somewhat, 

 provided little protection for the Big Sand Mound ecosystem. IIGE recog- 

 nized the uniqueness of the area and decided to take an ecosystem approach 

 in management and protection. Beginning in 1976, IIGE has funded yearly 

 biological studies on the area's fauna and flora, with special emphasis 

 on rare and endangered species. The Illinois mud turtle was singled out 

 as a species of particular concern. It is noteworthy that research and 

 conservation activities for the Illinois mud turtle were begun prior to 

 state protection and subsequent proposals for federal protection. 



Beginning in 1978, IIGE contracted with Drake University of Des 

 Moines, Iowa, to monitor the biological status of organisms at Big Sand 

 Mound for a period of five years. Periodic reports have been issued and a 

 final summary report is expected in 1983. IIGE intends to use the results 

 of the report, along with recommendations of the Louisa Ecological Advisory 

 Committee, to establish a master plan for the "Sand Mound Nature Reserve." 

 This plan is being drafted with the intention of protecting the area on a 

 long-term basis (50 years). 



In 1977, IIGE established the Louisa Ecological Advisory Committee 

 (LEAC). The purpose of LEAC is to act as an advisory group for the 

 management of the entire Big Sand Mound ecosystem. It is composed of 

 12 members representing private, county, state and federal representatives 

 and its goals are to preserve and protect Big Sand Mound, to initiate 

 cooperative efforts with IIGE, and to advise the company on management 

 of the reserve. In general , LEAC meets every 6-8 weeks to review 

 information pertaining to Big Sand Mound. 



In addition to funding research, the creation of the nature reserve, 

 and the development of LEAC, IIGE has provided strict limitations on 

 access to the reserve. A fence was erected on the western and southern 

 portions at a cost of $87,000. Access is allowed only for those activities 

 not in conflict with the purposes of the reserve. IIGE has carefully 

 planned the development of their coal-fired power plant in ways that 

 should minimize disturbance, and has assisted in the predator relocation 

 and exotic plant species eradication programs. According to C. Golliher 

 (IIGE Environmental Services Division, pers. comm.), IIGE intends to 

 maintain its commitment to the protection of this remnant ecosystem. 



Monsanto Agricultural Products Co . 



Monsanto became involved with research efforts on IK. f_. spooneri 

 after the subspecies was proposed for federal endangered status in July 

 1978. They hired LGL Ecological Research Associates to conduct a number 



