Help Save Falling Springs - Vitally Important Message!

Recently heard about this incredible waterfall in of all places, Dupo, Illinois.

Not knowing quite what to expect, I took my HV30 along just for some trial footage to see if anything was worth shooting.

Imagine my surprise when I first laid eyes on this wonderful springfed waterfall. How I wished I had brought my tripod for better footage! Instead I used whatever I could find, including a big old rock to steady my camera but be warned most of this is handheld. But even shaky footage will serve the real story and purpose at hand. The spring and waterfall is in jeopardy of being destroyed. Here's the story:

On the property at the base of the falls is a public place named "The Falling Springs Conservation Club." It's been there since the mid 1940's serving up great food, drink and of course, access to the falls. There's also a small runoff creek and a couple of fishing lakes stocked with large mouth bass, crappie, catfish and more.

I'm told every Sunday in summer, they have a big outdoor barbeque, live music and a helluva good time. Everyone's welcome without an entrance charge. You only pay for what you eat and drink. It's been the source of many great memories over the years including a favorite biker destination.

I went during the week when it was very quiet and had opportunity to talk candidly with the club manager. One of the things told me was that I was very lucky to visit when I did as they were about to shut down operations permanently. I was incredulous and asked why?

She said that after some 60+ years of leasing the property from the private landowners, their club lease was expiring October 1, 2008 and it would not be renewed. This, because the property owners wanted to 'possibly' sell the land.

In talking with her further, I learned the property at the top of the falls where the source spring is located, is owned by the Bussen Quarry Company. As we talked, obvious things began to fall into place (no pun intended.)

A couple years ago Bussen began dynamiting the area above the falls for more mining access (and profits.) This action seriously threatened to destroy the spring source which fed the waterfall.

The local historical society managed to get an injunction against Bussen and Co. to temporarily stop their dynamiting.

Since informing the club their lease would not be renewed, the current property owners have been very tight lipped about their plans for the property.

For me, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to at least suspect the property owners were approached by Bussen with "a money offer they couldn't refuse."

Once Bussen owns the property above and below the falls, it will be very hard to stop them from doing anything they want... even if it means destroying one of the most beautiful, natural waterfalls in Illinois.

When I came home, I thought of the video I'd taken and knew I had to do something. So I edited what I'd shot into this little presentation, without script, just building it as I went.

While the resulting imagery isn't professional the message is vitally important. Through viral marketing on the internet maybe we have one last chance to still save the waterfall, it's spring source and the free, public access to it. But we don't have long. October 1 is looming near. We need immediate intervention!

Please write, call, email or whatever you can do to let the State of Illinois know what a precious resource they're about to lose in te name of corporate profits. Email your firends and relatives. Even call your television stations and newspapers. Especially if they live in Illinois.

To lose this precious year 'round, cold spring and it's wonderful 2 stage waterfall would be a tremendous loss to all of us.

What can you do to help save Falling Springs?

(One last note, although shot in Hi-def I chose to post in SD so this footage could be viewed without restriction. If you'd like to see it in HD, please contact me. Thanks for watching.)