By Joyce Blumenshine

HOI extends a special THANKS! to Mike Smallberger, Peoria River Keeper activist, leader and volunteer, who gave a great introduction to the U.S. EPA ECHO / Environmental Compliance History Online database for our most recent program. You can use this source to find out about pollution in your area.  Type in your zip code and then zoom in on the map to locate places that have air, land, and/or water discharge permits. You can see what they discharge and if they have violations. Mike recommends using the training videos on the ECHO website to learn search functions.

HOI Chair Robert Rowe brought this special program to HOI and called it the “Naughty and Nice” list due to what you may find. Happy searching! And congratulations to Mike and the Peoria Riverkeepers who were honored with the Making Waves 2025 award at the annual Clean Water Celebration hosted by the Sun Foundation, earlier this year.