Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie — Project Detail

Project would allow for removal of existing failed, perched culvert and replace with larger culvert to allow for fish passage and stable stream channel. Project may include some channel design and reconstruction both up and down stream.

Nicor has requested a special use permit to conduct maintenance on their existing natural gas pipeline west of Highway 53 within an existing right-of-way authorized by BLM Right-of-Way Grant, Serial # ILES-058112.

Management of trees greater than 6 inches diameter at breast height is proposed on 11,757 acres of Midewin lands. Management will occur according to expected future habitat of the land during implementation.

Proposal is to maintain and protect the Prairie Creek Woods Trail and soil by placing crushed, recycled concrete on the surface of 0.2 acre of native vegetation remnant at T33N R09E Sec 15. No soil would be removed;implementation would occur in fall.

Construct a 2-riser vault toilet over 4.5 foot deep lined vault for waste collection. Construct 8 gravel parking spaces and gravel paths to connect to existing Highway 53 Trail. Install about 13 bollards to separate parking and pedestrian walkway.

Replacing existing culvert, removing a culvert, culvert cleaning and road maintenance on West Patrol Road.

Approximately 3,165 feet of new trail construction. Approximately 1,900 feet of new bison fence with gate. Up to two (2) 6-8 inches diameter watering wells and associated watering infrastructure for watering of bison within the pasture area.

Develop several watering ponds & wells to provide water for livestock, animals & wildlife, and to provide wetland wildlife habitat.

Construct wood frame accessible hunting blind. Blind will be 8' x 6' with an accessible ramp of 20 feet. Accessible trail will be constructed leading to the blind.

Designating an additional 1.8 miles of interim recreational trails for public use by connnecting to an existing road and another interim trail. The Interim trail will add an additional 808 acres open to public access.

Fence installation surrounding the Chicago Road seedbed administrative site for exclusion of browsing deer and resulting destruction of federally listed plant species being propagated for prairie restoration.

Construct a gravel parking area at Klingler Cemetery. Construct a gravel parking lot at the intersection of Drummond and Baseline roads. Construct a parking lot and trailhead at the intersection of Hoff Rd. and the Wauponsee Glacial Trail.

Restore habitat to native plant communities based upon underlying soil types. Removing drainage tiles and filling-in man-made ditches to restore landscape to a more natural hydrologic condition.

Install fence line and well for grazing activities.

Designating an interim location for the Midewin Group Campground for volunteers participating in major restoration and recreation projects. Project will include temp. facilities to support a group ranging from 15 to 50 people for a week at a time.

Maintain existing desired natural vegetation communities. Protect restoration investments and improve restored areas to provide habitat for grassland birds. Control invasive plant species.

Demolition of deteriorating structures on former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant lands under Forest Service jurisdiction.

Tiles will be located by excavating known outlets and blowouts and will be destroyed in place. In areas where Midewin land shares borders with adjacent property owners, tiles will be located and flow direction determined first before destruction.

Re-contouring of landscape, planting of native trees and other native prairie vegetation.

Remove trees greater than 6 inches in diameter and grind stumps. Trees removed over several areas, while being thinned in some areas along waterways. Leave trees favor native species.

Construct an outdoor education and information facility at the Iron Bridge Trailhead that offers a variety of recreational services for visitor.

This project would conduct prescribed burning on approximately 7,190 acres of current and future agricultural grasslands east of Highway 53 to benefit wildlife species, help control encroachment of woody vegetation and aid in fuels reduction.

Northern Illinois GAs Company (Nicor Gas)has submitted a request to renew a sixty-six wide 3-mile easement of right-of-way (ROW) originally issued by the Department of Army in 1965. Midewin has been administering the utility ROW since 1997

Proposed multiple treatments as needed of aerial application of mating disruptant flakes and/or biological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Treatments are part of a coordinated effort to slow the spread of this non-native invasive insect.

To establish allotment boundary perimeter and interior fencing. This is a compensation allotment for an existing allotment that will now be used as a Bison pasture to support the Experiment Bison project.

This project will clear existing ditches of sediment and debris, remove existing culverts, replace chain link fence with barbed wire fencing and create low water crossing at two locations south of Hoff Rd.

Introduce a herd of bison on an experimental basis; monitor tallgrass prairie and grassland bird habitat establishment using bison grazing practices.

Location identification, mapping and management of field tiles within selected areas of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie using various techniques

Restoration of South Prairie Creek Outwash Plain area

Construction of approximately 1.25 miles of trails; including overlook, trail bridges, benches, interpretive signs and related land management activities.

Proposed treatment is a single aerial application of mating disruptant flakes. The disruptant is a pheromone that is highly specific for the gypsy moth. This treatment is part of a larger effort to slow the spread of this non-native invasive insect.

Replacement of existing bridge and abutments, and stabilizing eroding banks in up to 7 areas within .25 miles of the bridge.

Issuance of a special use permit to the Local 150 Operating Engineers for use of Chicago Road to access their property. Additionally, the Chicago Rd access gate (at South Arsenal Road) will be moved 325' north of South Arsenal Rd.

The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie's first permanent multi-use recreational trail and picnic facilities for hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians to help achieve recreation goals and objectives outlined in the Prairie Plan for Midewin.

Removal of invasive trees and shrubs (including those larger than 6" diameter) within the seed production area. The spread of invasive trees and shrubs are making seed harvest difficult and disturbing seed beds.

Amendment to implement special managment considerations for new Army land transfers and utility corridors.

Extension of the existing project boundary line south to Old School House Road. The extension will include an addtional 120 acres of land with the same physical characteristics as the initial project boundaries.

Construction of turn lanes on Illinois State Highway 53 to provide for safer access to Supervisor's Office.