12 Taek -CA Ue DsUsB O Nee Bey sia sie) 
WHAT IS A STREAM and why all the concern? Harold 
E. Alexander Arkansas Department of Planning, summed 
it up this way: 
“A stream is a living thing. It moves, dances, and 
shimmers in the sun. It furnishes opportunities for 
enjoyment, and its beauty moves men’s souls. Like the 
condor, the whooping crane and the wolf, the streams 
of America are on the road to oblivion, to produce 
crops we don’t need, to perpetuate outdated concepts, 
and to flow past turbines which may become examples 
of obsolete policies and plans. It is time we gave more 
attention to saving those living streams which are a 
part of our history and heritage, and which, once they 
are gone, must see another heaven and earth come to 
pass before they can be again.” 
Protection must be afforded to that which was given 
to us and is ours to preserve. Action on a broad front is 
mandatory NOW, if we are to salvage what's left of our 
stream and river environments. Sterile ditch, dammed river, 
or natural scenic meandering waterway? This is the ques- 
tion and this is the crisis. 
CHANNELIZATION AT SCATTERING FORKS 
Judging from the controversy over the Scenic Rivers Bill, one would think 
that farmers and environmentalists were natural enemies Not so, as witnessed by 
a June meeting of farmers, conservationists, drainage commissioners, and Soil 
Conservation Service personnel in Tuscola. The group toured the Scattering Forks 
channelization project to inspect first-hand its environmental impact. In short, 
a diverse wooded habitat which supported squirrels, rabbits, quail and wood- 
peckers had been replaced by a uniform habitat capable of supporting only 
pheasants, muskrats, and some species of songbirds. The only fish life apparent 
was carp. Some conservation-minded farmers cooperated with the Illinois De- 
partment of Conservation in planting pine trees and brome grass (pheasant cover) 
along the ditches. 
The result of the meeting was a discovery that many farmers would prefer 
to engage in conservation practices, but can’t afford it. Under existing laws, the 
government is generous with channelization and damming money, but will not 
reimburse a farmer for contour plowing, planting winter cover crops, leaving 
hedgerows standing, etc. All present showed a willingness to work together for 
modifications to the property tax laws, the Illinois Drainage Code and other laws 
which fail to provide adequate incentives for conservation practices. Joseph 
Pisciotte, candidate for State Senator from this district, joined the group on the 
tour and expressed an interest in the state laws contributing to this dilemma. 
—Champaign County Audubon Society 
