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NEW ‘SCENIC RIVERS’ BILL INTRODUCED; 
IT STRESSES NATURAL WETLAND SYSTEMS 
A bill of major significance both to citizen conservationists and to the 
Illinois Department of Conservation was introduced in the state legislature 
in late January. 
Numbered HB 2179, and sponsored by Rep. John Hirschfeld, Cham- 
paign, it seeks an “Illinois Natural Rivers and Wetland Act.” 
Differing greatly from previous, unsuccessful “Scenic Rivers” proposals, 
HB 2179 would establish a system of natural rivers and wetlands under 
Conservation Department supervision. It also would: 
Set up five different categories of Illinois rivers. 
Designate 20 sites to be studied. 
Form a nine-member advisory commission. 
Use Illinois Nature Preserve Commission to aid in 
development of guidelines. 
® Require the Conservation Department to develop management 
objectives and an overall plan for each of the system’s 20 
segments within 24 months of the Act’s effective date. 
Other main features of the Bill include provisions for public hearings 
on each segment plan; a petition procedure which would enable landowners 
to have their property included in proposed scenic-rivers/wetland site 
studies; consideration of farming factors and Agriculture Department view- 
points in final decisions, and allowances for agriculture, forestry, and in- 
dustrial activities to continue at present levels. 
The advisory commission would include one member each from public 
and private agencies, namely the Natural History Survey, Soil Conservation 
Service, a regional or county planning commission and a statewide environ- 
mental organization (such as Illinois Audubon), as well as a member repre- 
senting the general public, plus a professional biologist with expertise in 
wetland areas, and either a professional historian or staff member of the 
Illinois Archeological Survey or Historical Survey. A chairman would be 
appointed by the Governor. 
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F.W.S. COUNTS 627 EAGLE NESTS IN LOWER 48 
The federal government’s 1973 Bald Eagle nesting survey of the lower 48 
states revealed 627 active nests. These nests produced over 500 young. From 
these results the Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that the lower 48 states 
house about 1,000 nesting pairs of eagles. This is the same number estimated 
by the National Audubon Society in 1972. Alaska’s eagle population is esti- 
mated at 30,000-55,000 birds. 
Active nests discovered in the western states are as follows: California 
19, Idaho 8, Nevada 0, Oregon 47, Washington 25, Arizona 3, New Mexico 0, 
Colorado 0, Montana 14, Utah 0, Wyoming 6, North Dakota 0, South Dakota 0, 
Nebraska 1. 
