From Patrick Feehan, IRBBA Commodore:
19 May 2016
To the Honorable Members of the LaSalle County Board,
In the name of public safety, maritime stewardship, and protection of anchorage at Buffalo Rock, we the boating community of the Illinois River Basin Boating Association, implore protection from Northern White Sands announced expansion.
Respectfully, we request that the County Board reject the intent of Northern White Sands Corporation to expand in the area between Buffalo Rock State Park and the LaSalle County Nursing Home. Commercial barge traffic at the Buffalo Rock anchorage would create a clear and present danger to the recreational boating community. Barge traffic cannot quickly stop forward momentum or easily navigate through a densely populated channel. Accidental collisions with pleasure boats are the likely consequence of expanded operations in the back channel of Buffalo Rock. A risk of danger, not easily justified, can be defeated with Board action.
Boaters shop at LaSalle County hardware stores, restaurants, hotels, pharmacies, & purchase groceries locally. The boating community is a component of the economic engine that drives LaSalle County. In particular, business owners throughout Utica, Naplate, and Ottawa are heavily supported within the Illinois River Basin Boating Association. Under threat of collision, pleasure boats will visit safer areas and patronize different communities.
One of the key maritime attractions to visiting LaSalle County is the safe anchorage located at Buffalo Rock. Arguably, the premier scenic location on the inland waterways of North America, Buffalo Rock must be protected through direct action by the County Board. State parks attract tourism and revenue to LaSalle County. The May 2016 edition of Illinois Issues, published by the University of Illinois, cited the Illinois Office of Tourism, “But for the state of Illinois, it’s big business — $27 billion worth of business every year spent when someone visits an attraction, buys souvenirs or spends money on gas, hotel or food. The industry also supports about 300,000 jobs in the state — or one of every 10 — and contributes 13 percent of the state’s total sales tax…Midwest travelers are the biggest contributors to Illinois tourism… With that in mind, the bureau heavily promotes get-away weekends to destinations such as Galena or Starved Rock State Park, Springfield or Shawnee National Forest.”(http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/archives/2011/06/tourism.html)
The LaSalle News Tribune reported on 15 August 2015, that LaSalle County recorded over 2.3 million tourists per year. Tourism and the beauty of our county must be protected. The economic impact of destroying Illinois River beauty will cause economic ruin in LaSalle County.(http://newstrib.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=29&ArticleID=45861)
We request the County Board place maritime safety ahead of uncontrolled industrial spoilage. The ecology of Buffalo Rock will be irreparably harmed as lives are placed in peril. Your vote will promote tourism, protect maritime safety, and preserve the ecological beauty of Buffalo Rock.
Sincerely,
Patrick Feehan,
Commodore: Illinois River Basin Boating Association