12 THEA UD U-B ON “BU ii 
Concurrently with the organization of the research activities, m 
time and effort was spent by interested persons from throughout south 
Illinois in associating with or setting up a formal conservation organizat 
to publicize and promote opposition to the lake. The Illinois Audu' 
Society, the Great Lakes Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Illinois Chay 
of the Wildlife Society, the Pope-Hardin Farm Bureau, the Illinois § 
Academy of Science, and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission h 
actively opposed the lake and each provided a vehicle for interested 
sons to be effective. 
The present Republican and past Democratic administration of 
Illinois Department of Conservation have not supported the Forest Ser; 
plans for a lake in the upper Lusk Creek drainage. Shortly before 
untimely death in 1969, Senator Dirksen wrote in a letter, “The plans 
Lusk Creek have been found impractical from an engineering and con; 
vation standpoint.” I am not aware of similar statements by Seni 
Percy or Congressman Gray. The Forest Service has not announcer 
change in plans. The threat of the lake remains. 
A tragic fact which must be recognized is that the loss of Lusk Cr 
is taking place today in the absence of the lake. Visitor usage has increa 
greatly, in large part resulting from the publicity generated in an ef 
to gain public support in a constructive program for the area. Not 
visitors have been concerned to preserve the area as they found it. Je 
have been driven through, and trees that could not be overridden were 
with chain saws. Motorcycle gangs have also made trails which becc 
erosion gullies, as do heavily-traveled, untended footpaths. Each y 
more areas become barren as trampling continues. Impromptu camp § 
or picnic spots dot the area—with hatchet marks on trees and rubbish 
the ground. Our rate of picking up rubbish lags behind its product 
These things are true both on the federal land and the two main priy 
holdings. Some local resentment against visitors has been expressed, 
creative plan is greatly needed to prevent further rapid deterioration 
the area. | 
The Forest Service development and management proposal for L 
Creek states, “Zoning of uses is a must for the Lusk Creek complex.” F 
posed zoning includes ‘“‘an 800-acre scenic area for the Indian Kitchen a 
of upper Lusk Creek for the purpose of protecting the outstanding featt 
which exist there.” Further, “a 3,200-acre ‘roughing area’ will be establis 
around and to the northeast of the Scenic Area, and it will provide 
additional wilderness—type study and recreation. Access will be limited. 
These are sound ideas which can be utilized now in further plann 
Needed private lands can be included under easements which will I 
maintain the tax base in the county. 
A key question remains unanswered. Should the heritage of fut 
generations, the farming and forestry economy of the valley, and 
present recreational uses by hikers, fishermen, hunters, whitewater car 
ists, campers and many other visitors to the Lusk Creek area be paramo 
over water-based recreation income which local promoters have been 
to expect? These expectations appears to be unfounded. In many states 
counties whose economies are based on lake recreation have the low 
per capita income. Federal lakes in southern Illinois have not produ 
significant economic benefits to the local economy. Plans for other la 
in Pope County are being developed. A proposal for a wood products pl 
that would employ an initial labor force of 130 persons and utilize Ic 
