SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION FUNDS STILL BEING HELD BY GOVERNOR

April 3, 2008

Springfield, IL.…State Senator John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon) and State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) are calling on the Governor to release more than $11.74 million in funds that support local soil and water conservation district (SWCD) operations.

The two area lawmakers were joined by over 20 other legislators as they addressed a standing-room only crowd of SWCD officials from across Illinois at the bi-partisan press conference at the state capitol.

As it currently stands, without the appropriation many SWCD offices could be forced to close in the coming weeks and months.

As of April 1, only $1.7 million of the $7.4 million appropriation has been released to the 98 Illinois SWCDs and none of the $6.0 million has been appropriated for the Conservation Practices Program. The appropriations enable local SWCDs to continue water supply protection, erosion control and day-to-day office operations.

“Our local soil and water conservation districts need to know when their local funds are going to be released. If the state funding is not 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.”

“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.”

Illinois’ 98 SWCDs employ about 250 people who work to ensure that water supplies are protected. Local SWCDs also provide educational programs to the agricultural community about soil erosion prevention. The state appropriation allows Illinois to capture almost $250 million in federal and organizational funds.

“The citizens of Illinois probably aren’t aware that their local SWCDs play a huge role in everyday life,” Reis said. “SWCDs have functioned for decades protecting our water supplies and assisting in the prevention of soil erosion.”

“I strongly encourage our constituents to express their support for full funding of the SWCD program to the Governor,” Jones concluded. “It is imperative for the agricultural community to speak with local media outlets to share how SWCDs benefit our state’s economic engine.”

Jones and Reis have introduced Senate Resolution 629 and House Resolution 1127 in their respective chambers urging the Governor to release the state appropriation for local SWCDs.