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Potential Access Issue: There are separate issues here, so please read carefully; I'll try to be clear.

On March 14, 2021 I noted that new signs were put up on the land west of the river up and downstream of the Shepley Road Bridge identifying the land as being owned and maintained by the Forest Preserve District of Will County (IL), and was governed by Ordinance #124. Ordinance #124 (Chapter IV, Section 2) stipulates that putting on or taking off of water craft is forbidden on such land unless designated an access point (which Shepley Road is not.)

I spoke with a conservation officer the same day and he told me they were not currently enforcing the restriction and were allowing people to use the area immediately adjacent to the bridge as an access. However, he also stated that there have been several issues with various boaters at that location, including fights, alcohol abuse, trespassing and abuse to adjacent private property.

About 100 yards downstream of the bridge on the west (right) bank (the left bank appears to be all privately owned), the land converts to private ownership. In the past I've always asked for, and received, permission from the private land owner to use his property to take out. However, today he reluctantly declined. He stated he has been having problems with various river users abusing his property (trash, damage, theft), and has been getting grief from his neighbors for granting permission.

While it appears the majority of the people causing issues are not dedicated kayakers or canoeists (the land owner, the officer and a random fisherman we spoke with all indicate it's mostly tubers), the lack of respect for nature preserves and private property threaten the use of Shepley Road as a take-out. Please spread the word to your groups and clubs. Dan