125 These organizations formed with the goals of educating the public, enacting scientific monitoring programs, and advocating for government involvement to protect the Fox River.15 For the past thirty years, these groups have created educational content for residents of the Fox River Watershed to get them to understand the river’s vital presence and care for it.16 They also lobby for governmental funding and legislation that helps remove pollution and restore the river.17 Finally, they do a large majority of scientific research that demonstrates the water quality and condition of the Fox River.18 The first example of the work that these community groups do was in 1999, when awareness raised by these organizations caused the Fox River to be listed as one of the 10 most endangered rivers by the publication, American Rivers.19 These groups wanted to put the Fox River in the national spotlight. As inhabitants of the watershed became aware of the damage being done to the Fox River, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) was prompted to take action.20 The community organizations did the activism work required to get the attention of larger governmental agencies. In 2002, the IEPA categorized the Fox River as impaired.21 The conditions that led to this decision included a high concentration of PCBs in fish tissues, suspended solid pollution, and the habitat destruction caused by dams.22 This classification, though it has a negative connotation, was a step forward for community organizations. By acknowledging that the Fox River was impaired, it released resources and additional funds from local governments to help protect and fix the river. 15 “About Us: Friends of the Fox River Mission, History and Work.” Friends of the Fox River. 16 “About Us: Friends of the Fox River Mission, History and Work.” Friends of the Fox River. 17 “About Us: Friends of the Fox River Mission, History and Work.” Friends of the Fox River. 18 “About Us: Friends of the Fox River Mission, History and Work.” Friends of the Fox River. 19 Van Matre, Lynn. “Sprawl Puts Fox River on Endangered List.” 20 “State of the Fox River Report 2003.” Friends of the Fox River, 1. 21 “State of the Fox River Report 2003.” Friends of the Fox River, 1. 22 “State of the Fox River Report 2003.” Friends of the Fox River, 1.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjg3OTMy