STOP THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLUM ISLAND!

Since our forefathers set foot on North American soil, our American bald eagle has been involved in a struggle for survival. Ths devastating loss of habitat and widespread use of pesticides such as DDT, nearly caused the extirpation of the bald eagle from our lower 48 states. Only after the enormous efforts by many state and federal agencies, conservation groups, universities and private citizens, has the bald eagle made a substantial comeback.Now that these majestic birds are back in the Illinois River Valley(Starved Rock, Utica, IL) the need to protect them from loss of critical habitat and human disturbance is greater than ever. Plum Island is an important wintering habitat for the bald eagle in the Starved Rock Area.Therefore, we the undersigned, as citizens of the United States of America, strongly urge that all necessary permits for the proposed resort on Plum Island be denied. Furthermore, we recommend that the island be permanently protected as critical habitat for wintering bald eagles in the Illinois Valley.