130 companies for revenue lost, and would use the money requested to prevent acid run-off.9 This specific piece of legislation was beneficial for the ecology of the Fox River, as acid run-off can cause contaminated drinking water, corrode bridges, and disrupt the reproduction of plants and animals living in the river.10 As such, by investing in the reduction of run-off effects, the wildlife in the Fox River could live in a cleaner and safer environment. More recently, in 1990, the Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) was established, managing the negative impacts of storms. House Bill 3656 proposed the creation of the SMC to create watersheds in needed areas and create a council that would manage impacts of floods and storms.11 Watersheds (at least, those that are considered healthy) are good for the river they are placed in, providing benefits such as increased biodiversity, soil formation, water filtration, flood control, and reduced effects of climate change and other natural disasters.12 HB 3656 was helpful for not only the ecosystem, but also for the inhabitants around the Fox River, because the SMC was also dedicated to reducing impacts of floods on neighboring communities and ecosystems. Combined with the establishment of the SMC, tightened fishing regulations prevented decreased biodiversity as well. For instance, the Fox River Harvest Regulation limits fishers to one flathead catfish over twenty-eight inches or two catfish under twenty-eight inches, preventing overfishing.13 The SMC ensured that these regulations were met, and people were not abusing natural resources in the Fox River, prioritizing the preservation of the river. 9 Ibid. 10 “How Does Mine Drainage Occur?,” How does mine drainage occur? | U.S. Geological Survey (U.S. Department of the Interior), accessed November 13, 2022, https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-does-mine-drainage occur#:~:text=Problems%20associated%20with%20mine%20drainage,of%20infrastructures%20such%20as%20bridges 11 Greg Zito, “Illinois General Assembly,” Illinois General Assembly § (1990), https://www.ilga.gov/Senate/transcripts/Strans86/ST062990.pdf. 12 “Benefits of Healthy Watersheds,” EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, 2022), https://www.epa.gov/hwp/benefits-healthy-watersheds. 13 Ibid.
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