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Officials outline cleanup, environmental studies and trail plans for newly acquired Matheson annex near Jonesville
Summary
Illinois park staff described cleanup needs, environmental surveys and staged visitor improvements for about 2,500 acres acquired as the Matheson Annex; a northern “Zone 1” parking area, restrooms and a kayak launch are planned, with construction most likely next year, officials said.
Monte Bernadoni, site superintendent, described cleanup and staged public-access work for the Matheson Annex during the LaSalle County Tourism Committee meeting on Aug. 15, 2025. He said environmental studies and salvage work will come first and that limited visitor facilities are planned for the annex’s northern section.
Bernadoni said the state expects significant cleanup after purchasing an old quarry and that hazardous debris and sunken vessels on the Vermilion River must be removed before opening areas to the public. “Right now, though, we have a lot of work to do as far as cleanup. When you buy an old quarry, with stuff like that there, there's gonna be a lot of cleanup to be done to make safe and everything else out there,” he said.
Why it matters: The annex adds roughly 2,500 acres to park holdings and contains rare plant communities and wildlife habitat. Committee members pressed staff for…
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