Salvage Operations at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant
Temporarily Reduce Public Hunting
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources began salvage operations at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, which
will result in restricted hunting at the site for two years.
According to Brent Manning, DNR director, hunting program closures affected by the salvage work include complete
closure of waterfowl and upland hunting. Firearm deer hunting
will continue at a 50 percent reduced level. Fifty permits have
been mailed to winners in the deer firearm lottery. Archery deer
hunting also is reduced and will be restricted to areas approved
by the U.S. Army.
"Sportsmen who have used this area in the past may wish
to seek alternate arrangements for the next two years," Manning said.
Federal legislation, which creates the Midewin National
Tall Grass Prairie and transfers the property to the U.S. Forest
Service, requires the Department of the Army to clean up the
former ammunition plant. The Army and the salvage contractor require closure of the site due to concerns for worker and
hunter safety, as well as site security.
More than 1,400 buildings, 90 miles of railroad tracks, utility structures and various other recyclable materials will be salvaged during the two-year period.
Transfer of portions of the property from the Army to the
Forest Service is expected sometime after November 1996.
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