
I.A.S. Newsletter, November 1966 - 3 - 

We deeply regret the late delivery of the September 
1966 AUDUBON BULLETIN, Please bear with us during | 
our editorial staff changes, We operate on a 
voluntary basis, 





TRI CITY AREA BALD HAGLE FIELD TRIP 
The Tri-City Bird Club cordially invites all individuals or groups who wish to 
see wintering Bald Hagles to meet with us in Moline the week end of January 28th and 
29th. 
An eagle program is planned Saturday evening, 7:30, at Butterworth Center, 
Moline, Field trips will start from the LeClaire Hotel, in Moline, at 8:30 a.m. 
Cars will be available for those who travel by train. 
For additional details contact either Jack Frink, R.R. #2, East Moline, or 
Elton Fawks, 2309-5th Avenue, Phone 764-8226 or 755-6894. 
Moline. »+eeElton Fawks 
BITTER WITH SWEET 
The Forest Preserve District referendum in McHenry County lost by a two to one 
vote, going down in practically every precinct. A defeat like this is most difficult 
to analyse, Obviously too many of the people of the county did not want a Forest 
Preserve District, even though the values would be great. A spirited campaign is 
now under way (late October and early November) in the tri-county area of LaSalle- 
Peru to establish Conservation Districts, At latest reports from local newspapers, 
it appears that the proposal has major support among Audubon members, Illinois 
people have three ways to protect lands for open space, parks, natural areas, 
educational areas, etc. through establishment of Forest Districts, Park Districts, 
and more recently through Conservation Districts, (FLASH: From latest tabulations, 
it appears that Conservation Districts will be established in LaSalle and Putnam 
and Macon Counties, but that the proposal lost in Bureau County. 
I & M CANAL STATUS UNCERTAIN 
The Illinois Audubon Society is in the thick of the fight to save the Illinois 
and Michigan Canal for park and recreation purposes, This historic waterway, running 
from Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle, was constructed by the state on land 
granted by the United States in 1827, by which the state acquired the canal bed and 
90 feet along each side of the canal. 
I & M land and water are now very desirable to many interests, The state 
allegedly has been leasing certain rights along the canal, from which it has 
allegedly been receiving substantial income. 
Certain happenings have indicated that the state is or might be interested in 
selling all or certain of this land to private interests, However, the grant is 
such that the land reverts to the federal government if it ceases to be used for 
public purposes, A resolution has been introduced in congress (H. R. 12999) by 
Rep. Kluczynski to cede all federal rights in the land to the state. This has 
raised the suspicions of all persons interested in recreational and other public 
uses for the land, 
Some state officials have, at least in the past, indicated that they think 
the best use for parts of this land is industrial. They have shown Signs of 
willingness to see it used as, to quote one high official, "an extremely sienifi- 
cant boon to the growth of water-oriented industry in the greater Chicago area," 
There is no doubt that certain persons interested in the industrial development 
of this area are opposed to its dedication for public purposes, 
(Cont'd, on next page.) 
