|
 The
IEC elaborates on one of these goals concerning sustainable
agriculture and food systems:
"Agricultural production has negatively impacted our environment in
many ways. From degraded water quality, the harming of native
species and ecosystems, and contributing to climate change, the
industrial-scale agricultural system in our state must change." In
other words, current agricultural practices can lead to damages to
waterways, reduce the quality of life for local species, and act as
an influence on climate change.
Under this portion of the IEC platform, there are several priorities
listed to help reduce agricultural pollution. There are two in
particular that stand out for their potential importance.
One of these priorities reads: "supports giving the Illinois
Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy [NLRS] the ability to make concrete
policy recommendations to the General Assembly and state agencies."
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy is not just one
strategy, but it’s really a series of strategies and efforts to
improve water quality. Most of these efforts focus on reducing
nitrogen and phosphorus levels in various bodies of water throughout
and around the state.
According to the department of
Agriculture, recommended activities target the state’s most critical
watersheds. Such efforts require collaboration between state and
federal agencies, cities, non-profits, and technical experts on
issues such as water quality monitoring, funding, and outreach.
For farmers, this means being aware of the excess nitrogen and
phosphorus that drains out of their fields. The NLRS lists nutrient
pollution as a "major threat" to waterways in Illinois. Excess
nitrogen and phosphorus carried in runoff from city streets and farm
fields or flowing out of wastewater treatment plants can fuel algae
blooms. At home, nutrient pollution can also lower property values,
hinder recreation, and degrade drinking water quality.
This means that nutrient runoff is not just a problem for local
waterways. Illinois waterways join up with others along the
Mississippi River, which eventually leads to the Gulf of Mexico. It
may not seem like much on a local level, but all of that potential
damage can cause serious problems down the line, and even negatively
affect other parts of the world.
To help protect waterways, Illinois works with eleven other states
in the Mississippi River basin to continue to develop strategies to
reduce nutrient pollution. Currently, the NLRS is working on their
Biennial Report Survey for 2022, with draft reviews scheduled for
June and July.
Another priority listed in this portion of the IEC platform reads:
"supports fully and permanently funding the Fall Covers for Spring
Savings Program and the Partners for Conservation Fund."
The first of these, the Fall
Covers Program, is offered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture
(IDOA). Applications for the program closed in January, and are open
every year. According the IDOA website:
"[The] Cover Crop Premium Discount Program is offered for acres of
cover crops installed outside of state and federal program
incentives (e.g., EQIP, CSP and state cost share).” The IDOA spells
out their definition of a cover crop for the purposes of the
program. They define a cover crop as "a non-grain harvestable, non-
insurable conservation/agronomic practice seeded in the fall to
protect and improve soil and water quality."
Cover crops often include various types of clovers; barley;
buckwheat; collards; flaxseeds; millets; oats; peas; radishes;
rapeseed; rye; turnips; and winter wheat. Cover crops are grown
primarily for the benefit and growth of future crops. In Illinois,
cover crops are often grown before soybeans. These crops help
prevent soil erosion and improve soil health, can help combat
invasive weeds, pests and diseases; increase diversity of crops in
the fields, and provide another avenue for potential profit.
[to top of second column] |
Additionally, cover crops can
help promote a higher quality of water. This is because cover crops
do not call for as much in the way of pesticides and herbicides.
Cover crops are a problem for pests and diseases all on their own.
By planting cover crops, farmers can prevent more nutrient and
pesticide runoff, and essentially help give the waterways more time
to recover.
As for the
Partners for Conservation Fund, that is a long-term state initiative
that works to protect natural resources in Illinois. The IDOA also
oversees this fund along with several other states agencies that
share responsibility for administering money. According to the Fund
website, the program provides funding for grants related to steam
bank stabilization and soil and water conservation.
Two of these grants focus on Illinois waterways. The stream bank
stabilization and restoration program focuses on promoting effective
vegetative and bio-engineering techniques to help control potential
stream bank erosion. This process is often accelerated by efforts to
channel and straighten streams artificially, the removal of stream
vegetation, and the altering of stream beds with man-made
construction.
Stream bank erosion can also decrease the capacity of waterways and
potentially lead to an increased likelihood of flooding. Excessive
flooding reduces water quality, damages wildlife habitats, and poses
a danger to people, too.
The soil and water conservation district grants program helps
Illinois' soil and water conservation districts with expenses. These
groups in turn provide technical assistance to landowners with
regards to "soil conservation, water quality protection, wetlands
management, flood control, soil erosion control at urban
construction sites, stream bank stabilization, recycling, soil
interpretation, land use and site suitability, and conservation
education." All of these topics are important when it comes to
protecting our waterways.
These are just
a few of the ways that the state government is working to protect
Illinois waterways. The IEC report has several others listed among a
wide range of priorities. Protecting water is often a team effort,
and it’s not just the responsibility of one level of government.
Sources
“Cover Crops Premium Discount Program” .
“IEC Policy
Platform”
“Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy”
“Sustainable Agriculture"
 |
