(525 ILCS 25/2) (from Ch. 19, par. 1402)
Sec. 2. (a) The General Assembly finds and recognizes that:
(1) Illinois' 2,900 lakes and 82,000 ponds provide many economic and social benefits including fishing, swimming, boating, water supply, wildlife habitat, flood control, tourism, and property value enhancement; and that the public uses and benefits of Illinois' water resources are heavily concentrated on lakes;
(2) in an assessment made by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in 1988, 86% of the number and 88% of the acreage of assessed lakes had impaired uses, caused primarily by nuisance growth of weeds and algae, turbidity, sedimentation or toxicants;
(3) long‑term improvements in the State's lake resources can be realized most effectively if comprehensive lake management strategies are implemented; and
(4) implementation of these comprehensive strategies requires a careful analysis of the cause and effect relationships between lake impairments and the causal factors found both in the lake and in the lake's tributary watershed.
(b) The General Assembly further recognizes that:
(1) improved lake uses and water quality could result from a greater role in lake management by the State;
(2) implementation of lake restoration and protection programs has been and likely will continue to be largely the responsibility of local interests; and
(3) incorporation of 4 principal strategies into a lake management program administered by the State would greatly aid in the achievement of higher quality lakes:
(1) public education,
(2) technical assistance,
(3) monitoring and research, and
(4) financial incentives for local lake management interests.
(Source: P.A. 86‑939.) |
(525 ILCS 25/3) (from Ch. 19, par. 1403)
Sec. 3. As used in this Act.
(a) "Administrative Framework Plan" means the plan developed by the State to administer and implement the requirements of this Act.
(b) "Agency" means the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
(c) "Comprehensive lake management" means an action resulting from lake management strategies and plans that address all potential causes of lake degradation, including factors situated both in the lake and within the lake's tributary watershed; and followed by the development and implementation of management strategies which impart long term improvements and benefits for the lake.
(d) "Diagnostic and Feasibility Study" means the gathering of data to document the existing and potential sources of pollution and to determine the limnological, morphological, demographic, and other pertinent characteristics of an inland lake and its associated watershed; and the analysis of this information to determine the most appropriate method for improving or preserving the quality of the lake and to determine the need for a Long Term Restoration and Preservation Project or a Water Quality Maintenance Program.
(e) "Lake" means any inland lake as recognized by the Agency other than Lake Michigan, to which the public has continuing and regular access.
(f) "Lake Owner" means the owner or owners of any inland lake which possess the legal authority for a given lake to perform Diagnostic and Feasibility Studies and to enact comprehensive lake management through the implementation of Long Term Restoration and Preservation Projects and Water Quality Maintenance Programs.
(g) "Long Term Restoration and Preservation Project" means an implementation of lake and watershed management plans as developed under the Diagnostic and Feasibility Study which will provide for long term restoration benefits and long term preservation of the lake's water quality.
(h) "Monitoring" means programs to scientifically document the existing quality of a lake and the potential sources of pollutants which might lead to the lake's degradation or reduced environmental and cultural values.
(i) "public education" means programs and instruments designed to improve the general public's understanding of the causes of lake management problems, alternatives for lake restoration and protection, and the processes by which comprehensive lake management strategies can be effectively implemented.
(j) "Research" means programs and studies to scientifically determine the effectiveness of lake restoration and protection techniques, and to develop new and more effective approaches for comprehensive lake management.
(k) "Technical assistance" means assistance by State personnel trained in comprehensive lake management, and provided to municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, homeowners associations, lake managers, lake homeowners, and other appropriate organizations and individuals involved with lake management decision‑making at the local level; such assistance is likely to be provided to a significant degree by on‑site visits to affected lakes and meetings with appropriate organizations and individuals.
(l) "Water Quality Maintenance Program" means an implementation of a lake and watershed management program recommended by the Diagnostic and Feasibility Study which provides short‑term relief from nuisance aquatic vegetation and algae growth; projects under this program must demonstrate that the proposed maintenance activities would result in attainment of significant public recreational lake use, and that watershed management plans are being implemented to control and reduce incoming nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants.
(Source: P.A. 86‑939.) |
(525 ILCS 25/4) (from Ch. 19, par. 1404)
Sec. 4. (a) Within one year following passage of this Act, the Agency shall develop, in consultation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Division of Water Resources, an Administrative Framework Plan for implementing the requirements of this Act, including but not limited to:
(1) a public education program addressing |
| comprehensive lake management; | |
(2) a technical assistance program addressing |
| comprehensive lake management; | |
(3) a monitoring and research program addressing |
| comprehensive lake management; and | |
(4) a program which provides financial incentives |
| for implementation of comprehensive lake management plans at the local level. | |
(b) This Administrative Framework Plan shall identify:
(1) specific procedures for establishing and |
| executing public education, technical assistance, and monitoring and research programs on lake management; | |
(2) detailed prioritization criteria and application |
| procedures for review of proposed lake management studies, projects, and programs; | |
(3) a recommended division of responsibility among |
| State agencies for implementing the provisions of this Act, including any appropriate Interagency Agreements; and | |
(4) a plan which presents the financial resources |
| necessary for the subsequent 5 years to implement subsection (a) of this Section. | |
(Source: P.A. 89‑445, eff. 2‑7‑96.) |
(525 ILCS 25/10)
Sec. 10. Task Force on the Conservation and Quality of the Great Lakes.
(a) The Task Force on the Conservation and Quality of the Great Lakes is created for the protection of the water quality of the Great Lakes and to educate members of the General Assembly and the general population on the conditions of the Great Lakes. The Task Force consists of the following members:
(1) one member of the Senate appointed by the
| |
(2) one member of the Senate appointed by the |
| Minority Leader of the Senate; | |
(3) one member of the House of Representatives |
| appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; | |
(4) one member of the House of Representatives |
| appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; | |
(5) one member appointed by the Governor;
(6) the Director of the Environmental Protection |
| Agency, ex officio, or his or her designee; | |
(7) the Director of Natural Resources, ex officio, or |
| |
(8) the Executive Director of the Illinois |
| International Port District, or his or her designee; | |
(9) the Mayor of the City of Chicago, ex officio, or |
| |
(10) one member representing a national alliance that |
| is organized for the purpose of protecting and preserving the Great Lakes. | |
The members shall select a chairperson from among themselves.
(b) The Environmental Protection Agency shall with the |
| assistance of the Department of Natural Resources provide staff and support and is responsible for the administration of the Task Force. The Task Force shall hold its first meeting within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly. The Task Force shall meet at least once each calendar quarter. The members shall serve without compensation. | |
(c) The Task Force shall review and discuss various |
| topics related to the supply and quality of water in the Great Lakes, including, but not limited to: | |
(1) the availability of federal funds for projects |
| related to water quality and supply; | |
(2) the extent of water consumption and use from the |
| |
(3) the current and projected water levels of the |
| Great Lakes, particularly of Lake Michigan; | |
(4) levels of water pollution and the sources |
| impacting water quality of the Great Lakes; | |
(5) the impact of water quality and supply issues on |
| recreational activities and natural habitats; | |
(6) the impact of invasive species on the Great Lakes |
| |
(7) current laws and regulations affecting the Great |
| Lakes, including the Great Lakes Compact. | |
The Task Force may call upon experts to provide additional information and testimony.
(d) Each year, the Task Force shall submit a report to the General Assembly outlining its recommendation concerning any legislative actions to protect the water quality and supply of the Great Lakes. The first report must be submitted no later than June 1, 2010.
(Source: P.A. 96‑471, eff. 8‑14‑09.) |