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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The Pecatonica River enters Illinois at
3Stephenson County north of Winslow and continues through
4northern Illinois until it joins the Rock River in Winnebago
5County near Rockton; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Significant potential exists for recreational
7boat use on the Pecatonica River and other streams in
8Stephenson and Winnebago Counties; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Significant public investment has been made by
10local units of government at Tutty's Crossing Trailhead,
11McNeil's Damascus Landing, and McConnell's Bobtown Landing to
12provide access to the Pecatonica River for motorized and
13non-motorized recreational boat use, stewardship, and
14environmental education; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The waters of the Pecatonica River and other
16streams in Stephenson and Winnebago Counties, Illinois, are of
17good quality for recreational uses by boaters; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The creation of a Pecatonica River Water Trail and
19other potential water trails would add to local residents'
20quality of life, both economically and recreationally, and
21would encourage increased tourism to the area; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, It is in the public interest of this State to
2encourage a cooperative effort within the local governmental
3units to further develop and enhance the Pecatonica River Water
4Trail; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
7we designate the Pecatonica River from the Illinois State line
8to the mouth of Pecatonica River at its confluence with the
9Rock River in Winnebago County the Pecatonica River Water
10Trail; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That the Pecatonica River Water Trail will extend
12from stream bank to stream bank of the Pecatonica River at
13normal high water levels, not flood level, and shall not
14infringe on the rights of private property owners along the
15waterway or the authority of the Department of Natural
16Resources; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That we endorse the work of neighboring
18jurisdictions and relevant conservation groups on design and
19planning issues related to coordination of river development
20activities when such circumstances arise; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we endorse the efforts of other governmental

 

 

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1partners to work in an expeditious manner to achieve the
2development of the water trail prior to or, alternatively, in
3conjunction with new development as it occurs on a
4parcel-by-parcel basis along that waterway; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6delivered to the Director of Natural Resources and the county
7boards of Stephenson County and Winnebago County.