CONTACT INFORMATION

Illinois Conservation Voters^©

July 19, 2001

The Honorable George H. Ryan, Governor, Illinois

Mr. Brent Manning, Director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources

Mr. Don Vohnname, Director of the Office of Water Resources for the Department of Natural Resources

Mr. Thomas V. Skinner, Director, Environmental Protection Agency

Ms. Sherrie Elzinga, Assistant to the Director, Environmental Protection Agency

Mr. James F. McKinley, Jr., Chairman, Fox Waterway Agency
Ms. Ingrid Enriquez, Executive Director, Fox Waterway Agency
Ms. Lori Fox, Executive Director, Fox Waterway Agency

We request a comprehensive COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS for the proposed construction, operation and maintenance of a dam at a confined disposal facility near the Fox River by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources in Island Lake, Illinois.

We believe there are many questions to answer about the proposed Sediment Disposal site in Southeastern McHenry County. Significant information seems to be absent. These questions necessarily extend far beyond the customary perfunctory steps of obtaining permits. Permits are narrow in scope and by definition limit their agency consideration to a specific range of issues.

The questions are numerous and important for a comprehensive determination of any project. Some examples are:

· What is the priority of this project and what is the basis of this selection?

· What are the alternatives and their relative cost benefit relationship?

· What is the overall environmental impact and alternatives?

· Etc. ……

The answers to all of the questions become apparent through the conduct of an unbiased, comprehensive Cost Benefit Analysis. This is a conscious, deliberate and systematic approach that carefully includes all affected quantitative and non-quantitative elements. Some of the heads of the participating agencies are familiar with this concept. In circumstances where there are conflicting interests and potentially consequential results, a comprehensive Cost Benefit Analysis is the only truly responsible approach to resolution. Avoidance of this responsibility is a grave disservice to those represented by public agencies.

You may presently have a complete understanding and procedure for conducting this analysis. However, for the purpose of clarity the following is an outline of the concept of which we speak.

Where to Begin

Every organization should take responsibility for determining their mission and accompanying objectives. However, for the purposes of our discussion it seems reasonable to conclude that one of the primary missions of County Government is to be the stewards of the resources of the people. Fundamentally, this primarily relates to the expenditure of their money and their overall environment. This implies that each application of taxpayer funds should be that which is most effective in relation to all opportunities. Because available funds have limitations, the establishment of priorities is essential for the selection projects that best deserve implementation. Because many issues are complex, the method of determination becomes critical in order to make the correct selection. This is the basis for choosing a comprehensive Cost Benefit Analysis.

The following is a macro outline a comprehensive Cost Benefit Analysis. Consequently, the intent is solely to illustrate the nature of the concept. Some of these preliminary elements are:

Mission

· Identify the overall mission.

Situation Assessment

· Describe the goals as they relate to the overall mission.

· Identify all the county elements affected by the proposed actions (people, programs, services, schools, environment …).

· Identify elements outside of county jurisdiction that will experience the effect of the project(s).

· Comprehensively describe what you are trying to accomplish.

· Enumerate the potential consequences of the proposed action.

· Determine the sources that will provide accurate, reliable and unbiased corroboration of the Cost Benefit Analysis.

· Specify what specific returns they would anticipate from implementation of the action.

· Identify what payback period is expected.

· Identify what alternatives are available within this specific project.

· Identify what other alternatives exist which require the resources of which you are stewards.

· Determine the resources this specific project requires.

· Identify what resources are available.

· Specify means of result measurement.

· Continue assessment of all elements and sub elements. …

Objective Development

Establish the needed objectives based on the assessment of the situation that will complete the elements related to the mission, situation and goals. Establish objectives that will corroborate the stated needs or desires (real or imaginary). Objectives must be measurable and have a completion in a specific time.

A key objective must include a comprehensive Cost Benefit Analysis.

Reevaluation

Examination of the information obtained through the Cost Benefit Analysis and other objectives will provide a basis for making the determination about the relevancy of the original goals.

Plan

The formation of a viable plan can begin after the accumulation of essential information, shown in the above steps, and the establishment of goal relevancy. The plan will include all of the steps for accomplishment along with specific designees to complete the plan.

We look forward to receiving your Cost Benefit Analysis for the proposed construction, operation and maintenance of a dam at a confined disposal facility near the Fox River. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Eugene A. Brown

President

CC:

Jack D. Franks State Representative, 63^rd District, Illinois

Mark H. Beaubien, Jr., State Representative,52nd District, Illinois

Dick Klemm , State Senator, District 32, Illinois

William E. Peterson, State Senator, District 26, Illinois

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