THE FOLLOWING IS AN ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES RELEASE
Central Zone – Captain Viverito #486 advises that in consultation with the Office of Mines and Minerals a hazard to public safety exists on the Middle Fork River and Vermillion River. The hazard mentioned above has occurred due to significant seepage from a neighboring lake embankment. This seepage increases the instability of the riverbank, making navigation of the river significantly more dangerous to the public should the riverbank fail. These conditions affect Middle Fork/Vermilion River from the town of Potomac to the confluence of the Vermilion River proper at Vermilion County Road 1580 North.
These conditions also exist on the Vermilion River from the confluence to the Illinois/Indiana state line. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has the authorization to designate Restricted Boating Areas when navigation is significantly dangerous. Section 2030.80 Hazardous Navigation Conditions –Designated Restricted Boating Areas In the event that the Department of Natural Resources determines the presence of conditions that make navigation of a body of water significantly dangerous to the public, the Director of the Department of Natural Resources may, in coordination with the federal government, designate Restricted Boating Areas on any affected body of water within the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois.
This designation shall be made by public announcement in local media and by posting at local public boat launches and marinas, and the restricted area shall be physically marked by buoys, signs, manned watercraft, or yellow police tape. This designation will remain in effect until the Director of the Department of Natural Resources determines that navigation is no longer significantly dangerous to the public, but in no case shall the designation remain in effect longer than 90 days. Rescission of the Restricted Boating Area designation shall be publicly announced in local media and posted at local public boat launches and marinas, and any markings shall be removed. I recommend immediately implementing a Restricted Access Area on the Middle Fork Vermilion River and the Vermilion River from the town of Potomac to the Illinois/Indiana state line.
