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ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 
Gield Museum of Natural MHtistory 
ESTABLISHED 1897 ROOSEVELT ROAD AND LAKE SHORE DRIVE - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60605 
ORGANIZED FOR THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS AND 
THE PRESERVATION OF OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 
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Vol. 9 No. 4 Judith Joy — Editor August, 1970 
ee CU NIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AUgUST, Tost 
LAST CHANCE FOR ALLERTON 
Conservationists appear close to defeat in the three year old battle to save Allerton Park from damage. 
The Oakley Reservoir project, being pursued by the US Army Corps of Engineers, has been modified 
again. The normal pool level has been raised to 623 feet (from 621 feet) and the water release rate 
lowered to 5000 cubic feet per second (from 7000 cfs). 
Mastermind of the new plan is John Guillou, Director of the Illinois State Division of Waterways. The 
plan, which he authored in February, would, according to University of Illinois biologists, practically 
eliminate Allerton Park as a natural area. Guillou’s plan also calls for a dramatic reduction in the 
“greenbelt” area to be used for recreation. Allerton Park, with 2-1/2 square miles of area, Currently 
plays host to 500,000 visitors per year. By way of comparison, Yellowstone National Park with 3500 
square miles hosts 3 million visitors yearly. This makes Allerton a significant asset to Illinois, especially 
in view of the Memorial Day closing of Starved Rock State Park due to overcrowding. 
There is some chance that the US Department of the Interior may designate Allerton as a National 
Natural Landmark if there is sufficient public outcry. This could stop the proposed damage. Walter 
Hickel, Secretary of the Interior, has given some indications that he might sign such a measure. 
Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the U of | Board of Directors has unanimously approved the 
higher dam. Some conservationists are writing to the secretary of the Board, Earl Porter, at his office in 
the Administration Building U of | Campus, Urbana, Illinois 61801 to ask why the Board is not 
demanding any compensation for damage or disruption to research. They are also asking what plans the 
University has to replace Allerton Park and the probable cost of replacement. 
If such letters fail to produce results, the only alternative will be a lawsuit against the Corps. This would 
be expensive, but it offers considerable hope of success. 
Robert H. Beeman 
118 Gale Avenue 
River Forest, Illinois 60305 
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A MESSAGE FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT 
A key program of our Society is the continuing establishment of additional Chapters in every section 
of the State. 
Membership in a Chapter brings one closer to the Society and as such makes our combined voice 
more effective in those situations where we face environmental and conservational onslaughts. 
The growth of the Chapter system in a relatively few years is properly credited to the leadership of 
Darlene Fiske; it is recognized by those of us who serve with her on the Board and by those who meet 
her personally at the State meetings or through her sprightly communications. 
She now passes the responsibility to Sarah Vasse, our newly elected Vice-president of Extension, but 
it is good to know that Darlene’s continuing presence on the Board will keep all of us Chapter 
Orientated. 
Charles Lappen, President 
BIOLOGY LIBRARY 
19 1971 (01 BURRILL HALL 

