Save South Shore Bay
The community of South Shore Bay is committed to preserving and protecting the integrity of the Lake Michigan shoreline that shapes the Bay between 71st and 79th Streets.
That is why residents oppose any plans to add unwanted, unnecessary, and unaffordable landfill on the lakefront within this area.
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The South Shore Bay community has been united in protecting and preserving the shoreline for decades.
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In a 2008 referendum, South Shore voted overwhelmingly (93%) against proposals to fill in the Bay.
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The 2008 referendum should have put an end to any further discussion or consideration regarding landfill. Any plans regarding landfill should have been permanently shelved. Unfortunately, they were not.
To date, outside groups continue to push for landfill despite ample evidence that such plans are not good for —nor wanted by— the South Shore Bay community.
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A landfill project is bad for South Shore and bad for Chicago for the following reasons:
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Continued South Shore Disinvestment.
Landfill would be extremely expensive. It would cost millions of dollars for unsupported, unsafe artificial land that no one asked for.
A landfill project would siphon valuable dollars away from pressing issues that have long been neglected on the South Side, such as the deterioration of South Shore Drive and East Chicago's decades-long fight against environmental racism, just to name two.
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Increased Crime and Pollution
Dumping landfill in the lake would create an isolated area along the lakefront that would be a source of increased crime and pollution, especially for community members who live near the landfill.
This area would be difficult if not impossible to monitor for safety, security, and sanitation.
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Natural Shoreline Destruction
Such a landfill would destroy one of Chicago’s last naturally occurring shorelines. This would have adverse effects on the area’s wildlife and the area’s appeal for recreational fishing, boating, and kayaking.
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Poorly Conceived, Top-Down Plan by Outsiders
Above all, proponents of a landfill have never sought actual community input for their unsound plans.
They have shown no interest in what the South Shore Bay community has already done to protect the Bay from further erosion and fluctuating lake levels.
South Shore Bay residents have invested a great deal of time and money in solutions to protect the intersecting streets and nearby buildings from lake storms while also protecting the Bay.
One mitigation project between 71st and 72nd Place is already complete. More mitigation solutions are on the way.
Meanwhile, South Shore Bay residents continue to work with the local Alderman, City of Chicago, State and Federal Representatives, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Delta Institute to ensure the community's interests, research, and solutions are recognized and included in long-range plans.
Above all, residents are united in their commitment to protect the Bay.
Help maintain the integrity and beauty of South Shore Bay by signing this petition today. Thank you!
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