Legislators Urge Governor to Release Soil and Water Conservation District Funds

[April 08, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- With soil and water conservation districts across Illinois facing increased financial hardships, state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, is joining state Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hill, the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and a bipartisan group of legislators in urging Gov. Rod Blagojevich to meet the state's funding commitments to the districts.

The state's current budget appropriated $7.4 million for SWCD operational expenses and $6.0 million for the Partners for Conservation Program, formerly Conservation 2000, through the Illinois Department of Agriculture. As of April 1, only $1.7 million of the $7.4 million appropriation has been released to SWCDs and none of the $6.0 million appropriated for the Conservation Practices Program has been released.

"I fully support the governor immediately releasing the money promised to the soil and water conservation districts," Brady said. "By failing to meet the state's obligation, he is putting at risk the important work done by the districts, for our environment as well as for our state's top industry -- agriculture."

Brady is sponsoring Senate Resolution 629, urging the governor to release the remaining $5.7 million for SWCDs and the $6.0 million for the Partners for Conservation Program.

Reis and fellow legislators, concerned that SWCDs will be forced to close if the funds are not released, sent a letter to the governor last month asking him to release the remaining funds.

"Our soil and water conservation districts are in a dire financial situation," Reis said. "Many districts will have to consider laying off staff or closing their doors if the remaining funds are not released. That would hurt conservation efforts and negatively impact our farmers and families throughout Illinois."

State Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, echoed their concerns.

"Our local soil and water conservation districts need to know when their funds are going to be released. If they do not have the state funds released soon, many of our local SWCDs will be forced to shut down their offices," Jones said. "This is just another example of the governor playing political football with a crucial downstate agricultural program."

Richard Nichols, executive director of the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, discussed the importance of the districts to Illinois.

"One of the very important things soil and water conservation districts do is assist in the application of conservation practices to agricultural and urban lands that reduce storm water runoff, thereby reducing flooding," Nichols said. "The loss of funding for staff and programs will severely impact the ability to provide this important benefit for the people of Illinois."

Illinois' 98 SWCDs, and their approximately 250 employees, represent the state's front line in protecting rivers, streams and other water sources against contamination from urban storm water and agricultural chemicals and sediment. SWCDs assist in delivering programs that prevent erosion from urban development and tillable soil. This erosion threatens Illinois' agricultural economy and the sustainability of surface water supplies. The investment of state funds in the operational expenses of SWCDs ensures the distribution to Illinois of about $250 million from the federal farm bill and other sources.

[Text from file received from Illinois Senate Republican staff]