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 The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy relies on the
latest science and best available technologies to guide statewide
efforts to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen losses that end up in
Illinois waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. These nutrients spur
algae blooms that deplete oxygen levels, hinder recreation, and
threaten public health. Nutrient pollution can also degrade drinking
water quality and require cities to install costly treatment
equipment.
“The Illinois EPA recognizes the work farmers and municipalities
have done and continue to do to protect the environment, and we want
to build on that good work,” Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett
said. “We thank the members of the Policy Working Group for the hard
work and expertise they brought to this process and look forward to
public participation as we move toward a final strategy.”
“Illinois agriculture has a long history of responding positively to
environmental issues,” Illinois Agriculture Director Bob Flider
said. “Programs like T by 2000 in the 1980s and 90s and, more
recently, Keep it for the Crop have enabled farmers to sustain their
industry-leading agricultural production while protecting the
state’s valuable soil and water resources. This strategy builds upon
these proven programs. It contains sound, incentive-driven
approaches to keep more nutrients in farm fields and reduce run-off
into streams and rivers.”
 The strategy outlines practices to reduce nutrient losses from point
sources such as wastewater treatment plants and industrial
facilities, and non-point sources, including runoff from farm fields
and city streets. It uses scientific assessments to target the most
critical watersheds and to build upon existing state and industry
programs. The goal is to reduce the amount of total phosphorus and
nitrate-nitrogen reaching Illinois waters by 45 percent.
Recommendations include establishing committees to coordinate water
quality monitoring, developing specific measuring criteria,
improving urban stormwater programs and education, improving
agriculture stakeholder and agency collaboration, and defining a
regular review and revision process. “The Illinois Farm Bureau
appreciates the IEPA and IDOA’s lead - and all of the
stakeholders' involvement - in developing the Nutrient Loss
Reduction Strategy,” said Lauren Lurkins, Director of Natural
and Environmental Resources. “Further, we appreciate that
education, outreach and voluntary incentive-based practices will
continue to be the primary tools for addressing the agricultural
components of the NLRS. This approach will lend itself to more
widespread adoption of necessary best management practices to
address this complicated issue. Illinois farmers are committed
to continued use of best management practices, as they care
deeply about the quality of the water in our state and that
which makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico.”
“Reducing nutrient losses is part of the fertilizer
industry’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program (right source, right
rate, right time, right place),” said Jean Payne, President of
the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association. “Illinois ag
retailers and certified crop advisers are already making
substantial progress with their farmer customers on changes in
nitrogen and phosphorus management that minimize environmental
impact and ensure long-term profitability for the farmer. The
strategy document will help us refine our 4R efforts and enable
us to provide accountability to the state on positive changes in
fertilizer management.”
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Illinois EPA and Illinois Department of Agriculture developed the
strategy with representatives from state and federal agencies,
agriculture, and non-profit organizations as well as scientists and
wastewater treatment processionals. The one-year effort was
facilitated by the Illinois Water Resources Center at the University
of Illinois and marks the most comprehensive and integrated approach
to date for addressing both point and non-point sources of nutrients
in Illinois.
“Meeting the challenge of nutrient reduction in the Mississippi
River Basin can only be accomplished through shared action,” said
David St. Pierre, Executive Director, Metropolitan Water Reclamation
District of Greater Chicago. “The MWRD appreciates the states’
leadership in creating a multi-constituent task force, and we are
moving forward on significant nutrient reductions in support of the
states’ plan.”
“The Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies, representing 8
million ratepayers of Illinois, appreciates being invited to
participate as the State Agencies have prepared this strategy,” said
Rick Manner, Nutrient Committee Chairman, Illinois Association of
Wastewater Agencies. “As front-line environmental stewards, we’re
acutely aware of the financial burden Illinois residents pay in
taxes and fees for treating their sewage. We hope that legislators
and representatives of Illinois will review this document and weigh
in as to the direction we as a state wish to proceed.”
“Nutrient pollution is Illinois’ most widespread water quality
problem, and the release of this draft Strategy is an important step
toward solutions that will protect our drinking water and wildlife,”
said Dr. Cindy Skrukrud, Clean Water Advocate for the Sierra Club,
Illinois Chapter. “We are pleased that everyone agrees that
overloading our waters with nutrients is a major problem. We will be
reviewing this draft Strategy and offering suggestions for strong,
specific actions we can take to protect our waters and the health of
Illinois families and wildlife.”
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy was developed in
response to the federal 2008 Gulf of Mexico Action Plan, which calls
for the 12 states in the Mississippi River Basin to develop
strategies to reduce loading to the Gulf of Mexico, where excess
nutrients have led to an aquatic life “dead zone” that stretches for
thousands of miles.
A list of the Policy Working Group is attached. For more information
on the strategy and public comment period, visit
www.epa.state.il.us/water/nutrient/nlrs.html.
[Illinois Department of Agriculture] |
