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RAILROAD PLANS FREIGHT YARD IN INDIANA DUNES LAKESHORE 
WHILE A MASTER PLAN FOR THE INDIANA DUNES LAKESHORE is being prepared, and nopalll 
fully the Inland Steel Co. tract near Gary, (already purchased) will be the firsi 
area open to public use, probably in 1971, the CHICAGO SOUTH SHORE AND SOUTH 
BEND RAILROAD wants to build a freight yard to service eight hundred cars next 
to Dune Acres. After Congress approved the National Lakeshore, the South Shore 
railroad purchased land WITHIN THE PARK BOUNDARIES, and has threatened National : 
Park Service that if acreage of 26.7 acres near DUNE ACRES is not surrendered 
to the railroad for a freight yard, the railroad will build a freight yard on 
its own right-of-way and the public service company right-of-way (which was 
omitted from the park boundaries), stretching FOUR MILES LONG and 200 FEET WIDE 
THROUGH THE LENGTH OF THE PARK. The Assembly yard would mainly benefit 
BETHLEHEM STEEL CO.. 
The NATIONAL PARK. SERVICE believes the 26.7 acre site for the FREIGHT YARD would 
be the lesser of the two evils and has been negotiating an agreement with the | 
railroad. However, despite clear assurances to the National Park Service and 
the conservationists by the railroad president that this 26.7 acres would be 
replaced with suitable park acreage outside of the park boundaries, and a list 
of other protections for the lakeshore, the railroad (now owned by the C & 0) 
has been exerting very strong political pressure on the National Park Service to: 
sign a permissive agreement which would constitute an absolute give-away of | 
these 26.7 acres of publicly dedicated land to the railroad, without any pro- 
tections for the park whatever. 
This now all hangs in the balance, dependent upon public pressures from both | 
sides. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Commission met with representatives. 
of the railroad, the National Park Service, and Save the Dunes Council, urging 
prohibition against use of rights-of way for freight tracks in the future, re- 
placement of the 26.7 acres with other suitable park areas outside the park and 
other Lakeshore protection. Miss Betty Groth 
NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL TO MEET AT ALLERTON PARK 
The annual Conservation Conference of the NRCI will meet at Monticello, 
Ill. at the magnificent Allerton Park, located between Decatur and 
Champaigns, onsO0ct.s.3G4,5,, 1969. “The NRCI, first founded 1np1 954710 
Springfield, is sponsored by the Illinois Audubon Society, the Ill. Fed. 
of Sportsmens Clubs and the Izaak Walton League. Dr. George Woodruff, 
of Route #2, Joliet, is the present Chairman. 

FUTURE AUDUBON MEETINGS LISTED 
To help you mark your calendar and appointments book, we are indicating meeting 
dates and sites for future IAS events: 

ANNUAL MEETING CAMPOUT 
1969 - North Aurora, May 16, 17, 18 Bloomington, September 20, 21 
1970 - Edwardsville, May 1, 2, 3 Tllinois Beach’ Park eSepty 195020 
1971 - (Chicago Area) Misse’Palis? Park, Septieetsee lo 
Our campouts are always held on the third week-end in September. In 1969, the 
Cardinal Audubon Society will be the host at East Bay Camp. Mrs. Alice Webster 
serves as the Chairman. If you plan to attend the Aurora annual meeting, we | 
suggest that you contact the HOLIDAY INN at North Aurora, I1l. (Tollway and 
South Lincoln Way) Tel. 896-0801, for reservations very early. Spring is a | 
very busy time of year for all hotels. 


