The Fox River Valley continues to be home to a plethora of wildlife, including Bald Eagles and an endangered species of Indiana Bats.
All the proposed routes had some impact on the Fox River Valley. Ameren admitted in their own testimony that this route has the greatest impact on the natural habitats in the area. The other routes needed some clearing to cross the river. This route, however, was the only one to run lengthwise down this beautiful natural corridor.
From a purely conservation perspective, this route, by far, would have destroyed the most natural habitat while most severely disrupting the local ecosystem.
Most of the surrounding areas are now farmlands. These areas, formerly home to forests and abundant wildlife, were cleared in the last 2 centuries, and no longer offer the natural habitats they once did, now providing important agricultural resources to the region, and to the country. The other proposed routes pass mostly through these cleared agricultural areas. This route clearly has the largest adverse effect on the most significant remaining natural resources in the area.
In promoting this route, Ameren had ignored their own testimony and concerns regarding these few remaining beautiful natural areas. Construction along this route may very well have violated federal laws that protect the Bald Eagle, and in our battle, this is likely just one of the arguments that turned the tide in our favor. The Bald Eagle, while no longer endangered, is still heavily protected.
This construction project clearly would have disturbed Bald Eagles in their natural habitat and needed to be stopped on both legal and moral grounds. Thankfully, we have been able to save this natural habitat from this threat.