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5b. Did the Corps drastically change the design after 1961, increasing the 
damage to Allerton Park? 
Yes. The 1966 plan would raise the water level in the reservoir by 15 feet, 
to 636 feet, and triple the length of the reservoir as compared with the 
1961 plans. (Corps of Engineers, 1967.) 
Representative Springer, in testifying for the larger project, said, “The 
current estimated Federal cost is $62.4 million (for the enlarged 1966 plan) 
compared with $35.7 million in July, 1965 (for the original 1961 plan as it 
still existed in July, 1965).” (Springer, 1967.) 
Sc. Does the Corps consider this design change to be drastic? 
No! The Corps, in preparing its Construction Designs for the project states: 
“Such ‘advanced engineering and design’ almost always involves some 
refinement of the project.” (Corps of Engineers, 1967.) Thus, the destruction 
of Allerton Park, the almost doubling of cost (increase of “$24.6 million ...” 
for “the larger project.” Springer, 1967.), and the more than doubling of 
the area of the reservoir, are called “refinements.” 
sd. Has the Corps held a public hearing on the “refined” project? 
No. The Corps presented its requests for the larger project to the Appro- 
priations Committee in Congress, but the Corps did not ask for, nor did 
it need, public approval for the changes. The Corps held three limited open 
meetings locally to present their plans, but no formal hearing has yet 
been held to obtain public opinion concerning the changes. 
se. Will the Oakley Dam project as presently planned affect any other 
parks or natural areas besides Allerton Park? 
Yes. Lodge Park, including Buck’s Pond near Monticello would be flooded 
for much longer periods than is now normal by the impoundment of 
flood water in the Oakley Reservoir. 
sf. Are there other dams being studied at the present time which could 
affect Allerton Park? 
Yes. A $10,000 appropriation sponsored by Representative Springer has 
been made to study possible changes and dams in the Upper Sangamon 
River Basin. (“Springer Sees Solution to Allerton Mud,” 1967.) One of 
these dams is proposed by a private group to protect Monticello from 
mudflats resulting from the Oakley project. This dam would be in Allerton 
Park and would result in flooding an additional 60 to 80 acres of the Park. 
(Vance, 1967.) 
Sg. Are there other parks or natural areas in the Sangamon River Basin 
being threatened by dams? 
Regions that have been threatened and are threatened by proposed Corps 
projects are Lake of the Woods Park and Hart Memorial Woods near 
Mahomet, and Lodge Park near Monticello. Lake of the Woods and Hart 
Memorial Woods were threatened by the Corps dam at Mahomet, a project 
which could be revived. They are now threatened by a proposed dam at 
Centerville. (Milles, 1967.) Lodge Park would be flooded by the proposed 
dam in Allerton Park. 
Sh. In the future could the Corps again change the design plans for Oakley? 
Yes. This is clearly shown in a statement on the Oakley Project by former 
Senator Paul Douglas of Illinois: “I try to exercise some scrutiny over 
these projects, as they develop, but the control of the Engineers over details 
is practically unlimited.” (Douglas, 1966.) If the present enlarged plan for 
