Carbondale Reporter

U.S. Representative Mike Bost has announced that concessions and campgrounds at Little Grassy Lake are currently closed, with a public scoping meeting scheduled for June. This announcement was made on Facebook on February 12.

"I promised I'd keep you informed of my conversations with the Fish and Wildlife Service regarding Little Grassy Lake," said Bost, according to Facebook. "As of yesterday, the lake has been drawn down 10 feet, which has made some boat ramps inaccessible. Concessions and campgrounds were closed as of the end of January. A public scoping meeting is planned for June; and there will be a public comment period by early 2026."

Bost initially expressed his concerns about the plan to drain Little Grassy Lake on December 9. He said that residents of southern Illinois were "hurt and angry" by the manner in which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) handled the plan. According to Bost, USFWS did not seek community input or collaborate with Congress in developing the plan. He criticized this lack of transparency as typical of the Biden administration and pledged to hold USFWS accountable while seeking answers for citizens.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Feb. 12 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's Facebook page

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had announced its intention to completely drain Little Grassy Lake on December 5, citing the need to protect communities around the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The draining was set to commence in December as part of a multi-year evaluation and rehabilitation process for the Little Grassy Lake Dam and Spillway, which began on September 10, 2024, according to a USFWS news release. The service explained that draining was necessary due to concerns over a compromised spillway built in 1942, currently operating under an emergency action plan.

On December 10, Bost reiterated his efforts to gather information regarding the lake's drainage and repair plans. He shared images of a letter addressed to USFWS Director Martha Williams, stating that USFWS staff had reassured the community about access to the lake following outreach from his office. However, he noted that despite this reassurance, there had been no proactive communication with his office or the public prior to the decision being made.

Bost has represented Illinois' 12th District since January 6, 2015. With two decades of experience in the Illinois State House as House Republican Caucus Chair, he is also a lifelong resident of Murphysboro and former U.S. Marine Corps member (1979-1982). Before joining politics, Bost worked for 24 years at Bost Trucking Service and later joined the Murphysboro Fire Department after graduating from the University of Illinois’ Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993.