The state of Illinois holds the only
known population of Swainson’s Hawks east of the Mississippi – and
they are gravely threatened by development in the village of
Hampshire. The village is considering new developments over
much of the foraging range of these hawks, and they are rewriting
their village comprehensive plan to support the development. A
group of Hampshire citizens has mobilized to fight the development,
and they need the help of the conservation community.
Please encourage any organizations that you are affiliated with to
send a letter to a local newspaper opposing this development.
Letters from individuals are also encouraged.
Explain that the developments
threaten the habitat of the Swainson’s Hawk, and that the village
board can protect birds by voting down the proposed Crown East
development, and revising its comprehensive plan to provide foraging
and nesting habitat for these hawks.
Here are some additional facts:
Approximately 6 pairs of Swainson’s
Hawks have nested along the western Kane –McHenry border for at
least 30 years. The Swainson’s Hawk is endangered in Illinois
and in trouble throughout its range – it is one of only 5 raptors
nationwide on Audubon’s watchlist. Pesticide poisoning on its
wintering grounds is a threat that is being addressed, but its
biggest threat is loss of habitat through development and modern
farming practices on its breeding grounds – and that threat has
rolled up to the door of the very small Illinois population.
The village of Hampshire is the
Swainson’s Hawk population center – and it is in the middle of a
breakneck development binge. The rolling oak savannas of the
town now host horse farms, dairy farms, hayfields, pasture, fallow
fields and the like – good foraging habitat for the hawk. The
morainal character has made this area unattractive to big
agriculture, which is likely what has allowed them to maintain a
foothold here. The key to management for this savanna species
is providing open grasslands that contain patches of trees for
nesting and perching and that are near cultivated areas. Seven
new developments are in various stages of planning, and will
obliterate much of the foraging range of the hawk.
According to the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources, the Crown East/Oakstead development will
definitely compromise the foraging habitat of the endangered
Swainson’s Hawk pair nesting in a wetland near the site. (The
development would also fill in a peat bog, which would be protected
under the proposed state Isolated Wetlands Act.)
One pair
is directly threatened by the proposed Crown East development; two
other pairs are foraging in overlapping territory. New developments
are proposed throughout the area. While Crown has set aside
some open space for the hawk, any development of the property will
profoundly impact this endangered bird’s foraging ability.
Citizens Advocating Responsible Expansion (C.A.R.E.), the local
citizens’ group, is hoping Crown Community Development and the
Village of Hampshire heed the advice of the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources when planning this project and make a concerted
effort to protect this valuable Illinois asset.
The
village of Hampshire has determined to ignore the Kane County land
use plan that sets aside the western part of the county for
agriculture and open space. Residents in the unincorporated areas,
and many village residents as well, are opposed to this drastic
change in the town’s character. Audubon, the Bird Conservation
Network, and other conservation groups are working to help this
group to stall the current development plans, and to find some
long-term protection mechanisms for the land. The zoning
board recently voted down the annexation of the area for the Crown
development, which is a great victory for the group. They have
delayed a vote on the comprehensive plan, and there are some
indications that they may be considering modifications. But there
may be difficult battles ahead. Please write a letter to the
editor to let the village board know that the regional conservation
community is closely watching them because they have been entrusted
with a great asset.
For more
information about C.A.R.E., Contact: Kim Krug, 847-683-4209
Frances St.George, 847-683-4598
Barbara Burton, 847-683-3752
Two
good web links for info about this species are:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/literatr/grasbird/fpswha/fpswha.htm
http://audubon2.org/webapp/watchlist/viewSpecies.jsp?id=199
Please send your letters to:
NORTHWEST HERALD
letters@nwherald.com
FAX: 815-477-4960
HAMPSHIRE REGISTER
hampregister@shawnews.com
dcurtis@shawnews.com
COURIER NEWS
courier.viewpoint@suburbanchicagonews.com
DAILY HERALD
Editorial FAX: 847-427-1301
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