In an attempt to add political muscle to their cause, members of the Fox River Alliance, a grassroots organization opposed to high-voltage line construction through Dayton, presented their case to the Dayton Township Board Monday night.

More than 40 alliance members, armed with aerial maps and outrage, spoke informally with township trustees, who had no idea the group was going to attend the meeting. The civil discussion was lead by alliance attorney Fred Morelli of Aurora who used the maps to explain Ameren's plan to run nine miles of 138,000-volt transmission lines from Ottawa up to a substation in Wedron.

Dayton Township Supervisor Phyllis Donahue was surprised by the turnout yet said she was grateful for the group's attendance. She promised them the board would study the issue to see how it would affect the river area and the rest of the township.

Most alliance members agreed they were just as concerned about the swath of trees in the river valley that would have to be destroyed to allow for the necessary poles as well as their homes and real estate properties that are in the project's path.

Ameren initially proposed erecting the tension lines from Ottawa along Route 71. However, other local opposition groups, the Illinois 71 Resistors as well as the City of Ottawa preferred the Dayton path which parallels the Illinois Railnet. Other proposed routes have been considered by the power company with each generating public protests of varying degrees.

Ottawa Mayor Robert Eschbach is on record on favoring the Dayton route because it is more in line with the city's comprehensive plan that calls for Route 71 from Interstate 80 to be a greenway area entrance into the city.

"The Railnet route made more sense because there's already a swarth," Eschbach has said.

The residents along the Fox River and Dayton disagree. At the township meeting, alliance members told the board it made little sense to cut 100-foot wide path nine miles long through the village of Dayton and destroy up to 1,000 mature oak trees in the process. Some mentioned the effect such construction would have on Fox River wildlife and future tourism.

In March, the Illinois Commerce Commission granted permission to Ameren to build two sets of lines, one from Ottawa to Wedron and another from La Salle to Wedron. Before the commission's decision, concerned residents were assured by Ameren officials that the Dayton path was too expensive and not in the company's best interests.

The alliance and others were shocked in April when the power company forwarded letters to Dayton area landowners whose properties would be affected to begin negotiations for purchase of easements and other land acquisitions. Ameren is expected to turn to the courts, if purchase agreements cannot be reached, to utilize the power of eminent domain to force sale of land and buildings.

Kirk Smith, owner of Para-Concepts, a pro shop at SkyDive Chicago outside of Dayton, told trustees, "The river valley is a resource for everyone not just the residents who are caught in the path of this route."

He and others told the board there has to be other possible solutions to consider beyond the river route or even the Route 71 proposal. Some mentioned that Ameren should just "bury the lines."

Despite the ICC stamp of approval, Morelli said the Dayton route was "far from a done deal." He will be meeting Ameren officials in St. Louis Thursday to discuss the situation and claims to be "encouraged" that a compromise solution can be found.

Ameren official have stated they might start cutting trees along the route as soon as November. Morellis said flatly, "That will not happen." He expects to file suit in La Salle County Circuit Courts to block the start of any construction if a better solution is not found.

"After all," the attorney said, "nobody, not Ameren or anybody, wants a skydiving accident involving a fatality on the lines which would stand 90 to 100 foot in the air on massive steel poles." He stressed to the board the route is too close to the SkyDive Chicago airport and the river area is too pristine to carve up.

Asked what the alliance would like her board to do, Donahue and the other trustees were urged by Morrelli to consider filing a petition to reopen the matter before the ICC. He told them the commission needed to hear from locals who would be the most affected by the construction.

Donahue thanked alliance members for their attendance and promised that the board would consider the matter.