IL HR0655

United States Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Lucas-Berg Confined Dredged Material Disposal Facility in the early 1980s to dump sediments dredged from the Cal-Sag Channel into the Lucas-Berg Pit in the Village of Worth

Previous studies found that dredged sedimentary materials from the Cal-Sag Channel contained dangerous levels of toxins that pose potential hazards to air quality and drinking water in the surrounding area

The Lucas-Berg Pit is located near schools, churches, homes, public transportation, food establishments, and housing for the elderly, creating risks of mercury poisoning, lead poisoning, brain damage, birth defects, and other serious illnesses

A new Army Corps of Engineers study identified 20 potential alternative disposal sites, and current plans propose disposing 17,250 cubic yards of contaminated sediment per year into the Lucas-Berg Pit

House of Representatives opposes use of the Lucas-Berg facility for sediment dumping and urges the Army Corps of Engineers to find an alternative, safe disposal site for Cal-Sag Channel sediments