SB 1701

Abstract

Amends the State Finance Act. Adds uses for which the Partners for Conservation Fund and the Partners for Conservation Projects Fund may be used, and adds amounts that will be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Partners for Conservation Fund until 2033 (rather than ending in 2023). Provides that the Partners for Conservation Fund is eligible to receive grants, gifts, and awards from any public or private entity for the purpose of expanding financial and technical assistance in order to advance nutrient loss reduction efforts within priority watersheds. Amends the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act. Defines terms. Creates the Illinois Healthy Soils and Watersheds Initiative to improve the health of soils and the function of watersheds through efforts that support the implementation of the State's Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, reduce nutrient loss, improve soil and water quality, protect drinking water, increase the resilience of ecosystems to extreme weather events, protect and improve agricultural productivity, and support aquatic and wildlife habitat. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall adopt and revise guidelines to assist soil and water conservation districts in determining local goals and needs for implementing soil health and watershed conservation projects consistent with the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Provides that, after the Department has adopted its guidelines, each soil and water conservation district shall develop its own goals and needs assessment to guide implementation of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Includes provisions about compliance and standards cost sharing, Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy alignment for State-owned, State-managed, and State-leased agricultural lands, and Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy reports. Effective immediately.