Runoff Forces Closure Of Kickapoo Park Fishing Pond

A fishing pond at Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County is closed until further notice as the Illinois Attorney General’s office investigates runoff from waste produced at the nearby Bungee Milling Plant.

Illinois’ Department of Natural Resources says the pond will remain closed as a precaution – with no timetable for reopening.  Spokesman Chris Young says his office has referred the enforcement of the case to the Attorney General.

According to the News-Gazette, a local trucking business hired by Bunge has dumped 380-thousand tons of fly ash from the plant on private property near the park over the past 20 years.   Fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion, and can be harmful to the environment.