| Volume 14 Number 1 |
April 1998
|
The IGA is proud to present its Spring 1998 meeting at the Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois. This is the IGA’s 15th year serving the Illinois groundwater community. To recognize this milestone the Spring IGA meeting will feature Bob Sasman, one the of founders of IGA, who will go over some of the more memorable events of the IGA’s history. There will also be a variety of other speakers, with topics ranging from calculating transmissivity to an EPA natural attenuation technical and policy review to site characterization and glacial stratigraphy. With this breadth and depth of topics there should be at least one presentation to pique everyone’s interest. After the meeting, those who are interested are welcome to have a self-guided tour of the Fermilab facilities. More information about Fermilab can be found at their well-constructed and interesting web site: http://www.fnal.gov.
Registration for the
Spring 1998 IGA meeting begins at 8:00 AM on April 24th at Fermilab in
Batavia, Illinois. The program continues from 8:00 AM through 3:30 PM,
and includes a luncheon and an open podium session at 1:15 PM. Those attendees
with special dietary needs for the luncheon should contact Susie. Meeting
fees for pre-registration are $60 for non-IGA members, $45 for member,
and $20 for students. The $60 fee for non-members will include your membership
fee if you fill out and send in the membership form found on page 12. Registration
at the door (late registration) is $55 for members, $70 for non-members,
and $25 for students. Pre-registration by April 17th, 1998 is strongly
recommended to ensure your place at the conference luncheon. For information
on registration call Susie Dodd,
IGA Secretary-Treasurer, at (217) 333-9043.
UPCOMING FALL 1998 MEETING
The plans are not final yet, but
the IGA may hold a joint meeting with the Iowa Ground Water Association
in the Fall of 1998. Until then, we would like your opinions on the idea,
suggestions for meeting themes, and interesting case studies you might
be willing to share. We will give you an update during the Spring IGA meeting
at Fermilab and in the Fall 1998 IGA Newsletter. Don’t miss it!
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The IGA co-hosted our Fall 1997 Meeting with the Wisconsin Ground Water Association (WGWA). This was a terrific opportunity to get to know and bond with our groundwater neighbors from across the Cheddar Curtain. The meeting was at the scenic Abbey on Lake Geneva. The two featured speakers featured at the IGA Fall 1997 Meeting were Mr. Thomas Prickett and Dr. William Simpkins. Mr. Prickett gave a dynamic presentation about his experiences with expert testimony. His insights covered not only expert testimony dos and don’ts, but also the basics of legal approaches and some riveting personal experiences. Dr. Simpkins gave an enlightening speech on the hydrogeology of low-permeability soils of Iowa. His research has a strong applied orientation, and the audience went away with some new insights about groundwater and fine-grained sediments.
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Illinois Groundwater Association Newsletter publishes short geology- or groundwater-related articles submitted by the IGA board, members, and interested parties on a wide variety of subjects. These articles are intended to as a service to our readers, who have diverse backgrounds and a variety of interests. Comments, suggestions, and requests are welcome.
Conservation Congress
& The Illinois Groundwater Association
Molly Arp Newell,
Beling Consultants, Inc.
Because of the recent restructuring of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Illinois Groundwater Association (IGA) was invited to participate in the 3rd Conservation Congress. The Congress, which has convened in Springfield every 3 years since 1988, consists of foresters, sports clubs like Ducks Unlimited and Wolf Run Bowhunters, represents from Soil Water Conservation Districts, Illinois Agri-Women, water authorities, and The Illinois Rivers Project. The political process leading up to the Congress involves caucuses and numerous debates to discuss issues related to conservation and preservation in our State’s resources. IGA’s involvement was sought to lend technical expertise to developing resolutions on water and groundwater related issues. After resolutions are drafted and later refined, they are brought before the Congress for a vote. Resolutions developed and passed by the Congress are relayed to the state legislature with emphasis for consideration by Governor Jim Edgar. IDNR plays a lead role as facilitator and provides technical support and manpower to run the congress.
The IGA Board appointed Molly Arp Newell as its Statewide Delegate for the Congress. Statewide delegates automatically get a vote on all issues at Region (I) caucuses and in Springfield at the Congress Convention. Dan Kelleher served as Alternate to Molly. As part of the voting Congress, IGA was one of 115 groups represented in consideration of 30 recommendations to the legislature. Proposed resolutions were slotted into committees: Land-Water Management, Outdoor Recreation, Trails and Grassways, Education, Funding, and Public and Political Involvement. A total of 27 of the 30 recommendations passed. A complete publication of recommendations is available from Brenda Potts, IDNR Constituency Liaison. Some of the recommendations are listed below.
IGA and the Land-Water Management Committee proposed the following recommendation with regard to protection and preservation of groundwater sources:
RECOMENDATION:
Authorize the Watershed management Committee of the Natural Resources Coordinating Council (NRCC) to develop a subcommittee to compile information available from the USGS, the Illinois State Water Survey, the IDNR, State and Federal EPA databases, scientific surveys, and universities to inventory watershed and recharge in areas for existing environmental and potential environmental problems related to groundwater contamination.
RECOMMENDATION:
IDNR, IDOA, and other natural resource agencies should pursue legislation that will implement a statewide, phase-in approach toward reducing off-site damages created by land-use practices. (Note: the intent is not to regulate land uses, but to reduce damages.)
A third issue related to water addresses management of minimum critical flows in rivers and steams:
RECOMMENDATION:
Seek legislative funding to formulate proposed water quantity and related quality laws that protect critical minimum flows on all rivers and streams as a means of rescuing watershed problems caused by development and other practices that have negative impacts to natural resources and habitats.
To implement this recommendation, the state’s existing data on protected stream flow standards (critical minimum flows) should be updated on its 224 existing sites with updates and review at appropriate intervals. Additional gauging stations should be installed as appropriate.
In addition, state, county and local regulatory agencies should be encouraged to use stream-flow standards to protect river and stream resources. Such protection should encourage practices which slow or detain water and sediment as a means of flood and erosion controls and encourage controls on withdrawals during minimum flows.
POST NOTE: Many long-standing members of the Conservation Congress process asked "Who are you? What is the IGA?" Being new to the process, education of others was a key aspect of participation. Also, IDNR personnel were most helpful and diplomatic in working with this political process. Special thanks to fellow IGA member Dr. Nani Bhowmik with the Illinois State Water Survey.
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DISTINGUISHED SCIENTISTS RETIRING
The IGA wants to honor three prominent Illinois groundwater and geological scientists that are retiring this year: Ross Brower, Ellis Sanderson, and Adrian Visocky. Together they represent 97 years in groundwater. Below is a brief synopsis of their careers. We are all richer because of their scientific contributions!
Ross Brower is retiring from the Illinois State Geological Survey, bringing a 30-year career to a close. Ross earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology in 1963 from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana; a Master of Science in Geology in 1969 from the University of Illinois, and completed the course work for Ph.D. in Geology in 1970 at the University of Illinois. Ross is a member of the Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers–National Ground Water Association, Sigma Xi, Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals, Illinois Specialty Growers, and the Illinois Groundwater Association. Over his 30-year career, Ross developed a broad knowledge of Illinois’ groundwater resources, as well as an extensive list of contacts with other state, local, and federal agencies. He provides reliable, timely responses to questions regarding groundwater resources, telling people what they want to know. He readily provides leads on the rare occasion when he can’t answer a question. He has a knack for patiently explaining complex geologic and hydrogeologic concepts clearly so a lay person can understand them. Ross’ involvement with other state and local agencies involved in groundwater issues and with professional organizations has enabled him to provide council and guidance on groundwater issues, such as well construction codes or the permitting process. Ross received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the State Geological Survey in 1995. This award recognized his significant and invaluable contributions to groundwater resources issues in Illinois, as well as his service to the citizens of Illinois and the State Geological Survey.
Ellis Sanderson is retiring from the Illinois State Water Survey, ending a career that started in 1965. Ellis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1963. He is an active member of the American Water Works Association, serving on various committees for the national organization as well as the Illinois Section. In 1993 he received the George Warren Fuller Award from the AWWA, and a Life Membership in 1996. He was a charter member of the Illinois Groundwater Association. He is also a member of the Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers–National Ground Water Association. Ellis caps a career of investigating the groundwater resources of Illinois, particularly in regards to evaluating groundwater as sources for municipal water supplies, assessing the performance of well fields, and investigating the causes of declines in well yield and methods to rehabilitate such wells. Significant projects included investigations of groundwater resources in the Kaskaskia River and the Cache River Valleys, the Saline Valley Conservancy District in Saline and Gallatin Counties, Piatt and DeWitt Counties, and the Havana Lowlands area; assessing dewatering wells for the highway drainage system in the East St. Louis area; evaluating the groundwater resources at Peoria, Mount Carmel, and Hayes; and appraising the public water supplies and groundwater availability of 17 counties.
Adrian Visocky is retiring from the Illinois State Water Survey, bringing to a close a career that began in 1964. Adrian earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology & Mineralogy in 1961 from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Groundwater Hydrology in 1964 from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He is a member of the Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers–National Ground Water Association, and has served as the New Publications editor for Ground Water, the technical journal of the NGWA. He also is a member of the Illinois Groundwater Association. Adrian is retiring as the Director of the Office of Groundwater Resource Evaluation and Management. His expertise is in well testing and aquifer test analysis, design of well fields, regional and long-term hydrologic field studies, estimating the cost for groundwater development, assessing the adequacy of public groundwater supplies, and reviewing of Underground Injection Control Class 1 well permits and providing technical consultation to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. He made significant contributions to investigations of the deep bedrock aquifers in the Chicago region, including water-level trends and pumpage, groundwater resource development, the impact of Lake Michigan allocations on the Cambro-Ordovician aquifer system, as well as the geology, hydrology, and water quality of groundwater in the Cambrian and Ordovician aquifer systems in northern Illinois. Other work in northern Illinois includes a regional assessment of northern Illinois groundwater resources and the hydrology and water quality of shallow groundwater resources in Kane County, Illinois. Adrian has been involved in investigations of the Mahomet Sand and the Sankoty aquifers, including the groundwater resources of the buried Mahomet Bedrock Valley, a hydrogeologic evaluation of sand and gravel aquifers for municipal groundwater supplies in east-central Illinois, an evaluation of the regional groundwater resources in western McLean and eastern Tazewell Counties as well as the sustained yield of Sankoty Well Field at Peoria, Illinois, and the aquifer conditions west of Normal. Adrian was involved in the groundwater investigations for siting the SSC in northeastern Illinois.
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IGA Web Site Accessability: The IGA web site address (http://www.iga.uiuc.edu/iga) has recently been submitted to numerous web search engines and directories. Search engines with very large databases like Alta Vista, Infoseek , Lycos , and Excite were among the first targeted. Performing a search on Alta Vista and Infoseek for "Illinois Groundwater Association" now lists the site as the first result. As of March 25th, the same search on Lycos and Excite did not find the page. (Webmaster, 4/2/98: Lycos has now indexed the site.)
New Domain Name?: Additional inquiry has not been made on the registration of a unique second level domain name (e.g., i-g-a.org or igwa.org) for the IGA site. Site accessibility is expected to increase because of the recent submissions to the web directories. Since this was one of the main issues regarding domain registry, registering is not currently seen as a top priority.
Server Upgrade: An upgrade of the existing web server has been done and configuration is underway. A new version of the Lotus Go Server is replacing an earlier IBM server. This server adds a few bells and whistles, such as Java support, and will hopefully have better tools to summarize site activity. Activity is currently logged, but is not in a format which is easy to summarize. In the future with better access statistics as a guide, priorities can be set for updating and improving the web site.
If you have questions or comments, please contact Randy Locke (rlocke@uiuc.edu) at (217) 333-3866.
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The "grandfather" period for applying to become a Licensed Professional Geologist in Illinois without taking the examination will end on July 1, 1998. However, after April 1, 1998 it will be unlawful for persons to practice professional geology or to hold themselves out to be professional geologists in Illinois (as defined by the Professional Geologist Licensing Act, Public Act 89-0366) unless they hold a license or have applied for a license from the Department of Professional Regulation. Geologists employed by a firm may perform geologic work under the direction of a Licensed Professional Geologist employed by that firm.
The rules and regulations proposed by the Board of Licensing for Professional Geologists have been officially adopted. Copies of the rules as most recently revised by emergency rule may be obtained by writing to the address or calling the telephone number below.
Any qualified geologist who wishes to continue to practice as a professional geologist in Illinois after April 1,1998 or any geologist who wishes to "grandfather" in prior to July 1, 1998 should request an application form from:
Illinois
Department of Professional Regulation
Forms Unit
320 West Washington Street, Third
Floor
Springfield, IL 62786
(217) 782-8556
Illinois PG Background:
The process to implement the Illinois
Professional Geologist Licensing Act (Public Act 89-0366) was signed into
law by Governor Edgar in 1995 and went into effect in July 1996 with the
appointment of the Board of Licensing for Professional Geologists (PG).
The Board has drafting rules, including required curriculum and academic
standards for the Illinois Professional Geologist registration program.
The rules were finalized in 1997, at which time the rules were given to
the Joint Committee of Administrative Rules for final approval. The rules
for the Professional Geologist Licensing Act, 68 Ill. Administrative Code
1252, were adopted on October 1, 1997.
The PG application fee is $250, and
the bi-annual renewal fee is $150. These fee levels are intended to make
the Illinois PG program’s funding self sufficient. Educational requirements
include a degree in geology with 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours
in upper level geology plus four years of experience. The grandfather application
period (during which time the examination portion of the registration will
be waived) extends to July 1, 1998.
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NEW ISGS GROUNDWATER SECTION HEAD
Edward Mehnert assumed the position
of Head of the Groundwater Resources and Protection Section at the Illinois
State Geological Survey on February 1, 1998. He is responsible for the
section that covers a full spectrum of issues related to groundwater, from
resource identification and evaluation to groundwater contamination potential
and aquifer sensitivity.
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The Illinois Groundwater Association requests nominations for the 1998 Groundwater Science Awards Program. As in previous years, this program is designed to recognize Illinoisians who have made outstanding contributions to groundwater science in the spirit of the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act. For purposes of these awards, groundwater science is broadly defined to include research, education, consulting service, water well construction, or public service as related to the scientific management, protection, and or utilization of groundwater. The Groundwater Science Awards will be presented at the 1998 IGA fall meeting. Further information and nomination forms for these awards will be available at the IGA 1998 spring meeting and also can be obtained by contacting Jerry Dalsin, Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, Springfield, Illinois 62761, telephone (217) 782-5830 or jdalsin@idph.state.il.us.
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Authors of the report are (in order of appearance): Michael J. Chrzastowski, Myrna M. Killey, Robert A. Bauer, Paul B. DuMontelle, Anne L. Erdmann, Beverly L. Herzog, John M. Masters, and Lisa R. Smith.
The award was presented at the 1997 National Meeting of the Geological Society of America held in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 20-23, 1997. Each of the ISGS recipients received a plaque and each shared in the $1,000 cash prize that is part of this national award.
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The IGA has a number of small awards available to provide partial support for student research on groundwater or related topics. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, capability of the applicant, and reasonableness of the requested funding relative to the proposed work. These grants are open to any graduate or undergraduate student registered at an accredited Illinois college or university. Grant winners are requested to present the findings of their research at an IGA meeting. The 1998 student grant applications will be accepted through April 24th, 1998. If you are interested in an application, contact Susie Dodd, IGA Secretary-Treasurer at (217) 333-9043 before April 24th.
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ILLINOIS WATER WELL CODE AMENDMENTS ADDRESS CONTAMINATION PROBLEMS
Amendments to the Illinois Water Well and Pump Installation Codes will become effective April 1, 1998. The amendments originated through discussions between the Department, Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals, Illinois Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor’s Licensing Board and local health departments. Amendments to the Water Well Construction Code primarily address grouting and the sealing of abandoned wells. Through a grant from the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department conducted a study to evaluate private water wells during 1994. Data from the study indicated that bored wells, and buried slab wells in particular, had the highest rates of contamination. To improve the construction standards for buried slab bored wells, the amended Water Well Construction Code will require a bentonite seal at least 12 inches in depth to be installed over the buried slab. Grouting requirements for drilled wells have been amended to reflect current industry standards. The more significant amendments to the Water Well Pump Installation Code include specifications for the installation of yard hydrants, requirements for the installation of a water sampling faucet and pump installation reporting. A number of clarifications of existing requirements were made for both codes.
During February and March 1998, training sessions to explain the well and pump code amendments in more detail were being offered to licensed water well and pump installation contractors, local health departments and IDPH regional staff in all of the Department’s six regions. The Department will be sending printed copies of the new codes and explanations of the amendments to these individuals.
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PROPOSED WILDLIFE REFUGE IN NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA
A draft analysis of the environmental effects of creating a new national wildlife refuge in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana has been developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is now available for public review and comment. The proposed refuge is called the Grand Kankakee Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. The environmental assessment includes a study of the economic impacts of the proposed refuge.Copies of the draft environmental assessment are available for review at public libraries throughout the Kankakee River watershed. Comments on the draft document will be accepted through April 21, 1998. In addition, the document may be viewed on the Service's world wide web site at http://www.fws.gov/~r3pao/ext_affr/news.htm (U.S. Fish & Wildlife 3/17/98 press release).
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The IGA is proud to have supported so many outstanding Illinois student research projects through the IGA Student Grant Program. Below are listed IGA Grant winners from 1994 to date.
1997: Matthew A.
Barner, Wheaton College. Research project title: A Wellhead Protection
Study for the Fisherman’s Inn Restaurant Near Elburn, Illinois.
Leo Michael Kurylo,
Northern Illinois University. Research Project Title: Effects of Fluid
Chemistry on Calcite Overgrowth Morphology.
John J. Noyes,
Northeastern Illinois University. Thesis Title: Electrokinetically Enhanced
DNAPL Removal: Implications for Cleanup of Contaminated Soils.
1996: Kurt
Kraske, Northern Illinois University. Thesis Title: Movement and
Evolution of Nitrogen Compounds in the Prairie Aquigroup and Alexandrian
- Maquoketa Aquifer in Campton Township, Kane County, Illinois.
Yanzhong Liang,
University of Illinois at Chicago. Dissertation Title: Speciation and
Complexation of Lead (Pb) in Contaminated Surfaces and Ground Waters.
1995: Reynald
de Castro, Illinois State University. Thesis Title: Groundwater
Chemistry Across a Buried Anticline in Douglas County, Illinois.
Rebecca Ried,
Northern Illinois University. Thesis Title: Hydrogeological Characterization
of Ground Water at a Wetland in Van Pattern Woods, Northeastern Illinois.
1994: Jacqueline
N. Morrison, Northern Illinois University. Thesis Title: Influence
of Buried Bedrock Valleys in North-Central Illinois on Recharge and Groundwater
Flow in the Prairie, Upper Bedrock and Midwest Bedrock Aquigroups
Richard Poland,
Northeastern Illinois University. Thesis Title: Field Comparison of
Three Methods of Measuring Ks in the Vadose Zone.
Jinnan Zhou,
University of Illinois at Chicago. Thesis Title: Effect of Slug Hydrodynamic
Efficiency on the Accuracy of Field Hydraulic Conductivity Tests in Highly
Permeable Formations
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The annual Groundwater Science Awards, presented at the Illinois Groundwater Association’s Fall 1997 Meeting, are co-sponsored by the IGA and the Illinois Groundwater Protection Education Program developed under the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act. The awards recognize outstanding science-based achievements in the management, protection, and utilization of groundwater.
Achievement Award
Mr. Thomas A. Prickett,
President, Thomas A. Prickett & Associates
Mr. Prickett received an Achievement
Award for outstanding lifetime achievement in developing and advocating
digital computer modeling techniques in geohydrology, in determining the
nature and characteristics of aquifers in Illinois, and for his enthusiasm
and willingness to share his knowledge and expertise in groundwater science
with others.
Achievement Award
Mr. Richard P. Cobb, Manager,
Groundwater Section, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Mr. Cobb received an Achievement
Award for outstanding leadership and service in the application of groundwater
science to groundwater protection in Illinois, and in the development of
the wellhead protection program and pertinent land use regulations.
Public Information/Education Award
The Central Groundwater Protection
Planning Committee
Bill Compton, Chair; Pat Welch,
Secretary
The Central Groundwater Protection
Planning Committee, represented by Bill Compton, Chair and Pat Welch, Secretary,
received an Public Information/Education Award for outstanding leadership
and service in developing a team approach to groundwater protection that
emphasizes education and outreach, technical assistance, and policy development.
Groundwater Science Achievement
Award
James O. Peterson and Ronald
G. Hennings
A Groundwater Science Achievement
Award was jointly presented by the Illinois Groundwater Association and
the Wisconsin Ground Water Association to James O. Peterson and Ronald
G. Hennings for outstanding contribution in development of a realistic
groundwater teaching model that has proven to be very valuable and effective
in teaching the principles of groundwater flow to students, academic groups,
and the public thereby leading to a greater knowledge and understanding
of groundwater science.
Last Revision: Apr.
02, 1998
RAL