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Illinois EPA's new Web page makes
available the newly created
Supplemental Environmental Project Idea
Bank.
A Supplemental Environmental Project,
or SEP, is a project that is funded as a result of an environmental
enforcement settlement. In some situations, performance of
environmentally beneficial projects can be negotiated with a
defendant to reduce the level of penalties that may be imposed as a
result of an environmental violation. The SEP Idea Bank will help
the Illinois EPA gather ideas on needed projects and initiatives in
local communities.
"I want to tap into the tremendous base
of knowledge across the state," said Cipriano. "I also want to
involve Illinois citizens in the decision-making process of
protecting our environment."
In its efforts to gather this
information the Illinois EPA is targeting environmental groups,
local governmental organizations and environmental justice groups,
asking for suggestions. These suggestions will be provided to the
defendants financing the SEPs, and they, along with the state will
agree on the best project.
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Among the types of projects that may be
eligible to receive SEP funding are environmental restoration and
protection efforts, waste collection events, and pollution
prevention projects. These projects could support studies, such as
energy audits; restoration, such as stream bank erosion prevention;
or even the purchase of land for parks and natural areas. The funds
could also be used to sponsor environmental education training or to
subsidize recycling efforts.
"The Illinois EPA has had some real
success stories using SEPs," said Cipriano. "We have contributed to
the purchase of sensitive wetlands, helped to fund construction of a
bicycle and pedestrian bridge, and purchased equipment for a local
hazmat team. All of this is a win-win for the community."
Both the
information on how to
submit a project idea to the agency and a
list
of the types of possible projects are available at
www.epa.state.il.us/enforcement/sep.
[Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency
news release] |
