Carbondale Reporter

U.S. Representative Mike Bost expressed public discontent regarding the decision to drain Little Grassy Lake in a Facebook post dated December 6. He said there was "No coordination with Congress [and] no community input."

"Many Southern Illinoisans are feeling hurt and angered this week, after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued an abrupt announcement that it will be fully draining Little Grassy Lake in Williamson and Jackson counties," said Bost, according to Facebook. "No coordination with Congress. No community input. No sufficient public notice."

"This lack of transparency is exactly what you’d expect from the Biden Administration," Bost continued. "I grew up on this lake, as did many of you, and you best believe I’ll do everything in my power to hold the agency accountable and get the answers you deserve. Stay tuned."

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Dec. 6 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Facebook page

Bost shared a link to a WSILTV report explaining that the lake's drainage is due to significant flooding, erosion, and deterioration attributed to climate change. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), compromised gates at Crab Orchard Lake Dam pose a risk if the spillway at Little Grassy Lake fails, potentially leading to infrastructure failures and endangering lives and property in Carbondale and nearby areas.

"These proactive measures aim to keep everyone as safe as possible given our concerns with the current condition of the refuge’s aging infrastructure," said Deb Beck from the Infrastructure Management Division Midwest Region, National Wildlife Refuge System.

The USFWS announced on December 5 its plan to fully drain Little Grassy Lake to protect communities around Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The draining process will commence this month. The refuge is undergoing a multi-year evaluation and rehabilitation process for the Little Grassy Lake Dam and Spillway, which began on September 10, 2024.

Draining the lake will address concerns over its compromised spillway, constructed in 1942 and currently operating under an emergency action plan. Little Grassy Lake spans 1,000 acres and is one of three reservoirs within the refuge requiring repair.

Mike Bost has been serving as Illinois’ 12th District representative since January 6, 2015. He has two decades of experience in the Illinois State House of Representatives as House Republican Caucus Chair. A lifelong resident of Murphysboro and former U.S. Marine Corps member from 1979-1982, Bost worked for 24 years at Bost Trucking Service before joining the Murphysboro Fire Department after graduating from the University of Illinois’ Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993.