MAKE COMMENTS ON ILLINOIS NUTRIENT PLAN

Tricia Braid

Jan 09, 2015  |  Today's News

We need you to take the time to submit a positive comment regarding a draft document released by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) called the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (Strategy). IL Corn was among the groups that provided input to formulate the draft Strategy. We believe in supporting continued voluntary efforts to manage nutrients and improve water quality in a way that is sensible from both an economic and environmental perspective. The draft Strategy is based on the adoption of voluntary best management practices.                                   

IEPA is accepting comments on the Strategy until January 24, 2015.

The Strategy aims to reduce the annual loading of nitrate-nitrogen and total phosphorus to the Mississippi River by 45% (measured against the average load over the 1980-1996 time period).

The draft Strategy is designed to improve Illinois water quality and the quality of water leaving the state. We support the use of voluntary, incentive-based programs focused on the implementation of best management practices to address nutrient losses from Illinois farm fields. Interim goals of the plan are to reduce nitrate-nitrogen 15% by 2025 and reduce total phosphorus 25% by 2025.

Find out more about the Strategy at this Illinois Council on Best Management Practices website.

This Strategy background sheet may help you prepare your comments. In your letter to IEPA, please consider expanding on these bullet points:

  • Current BMPs used on your farm(s),
  • BMPs you are considering for implementation,
  • Your personal desire to make environmentally conscious choices, and
  • Your assurance that a voluntary program is adequate.

You may choose to include photographs if they are appropriate.

Comments must be postmarked by midnight, January 24, 2015 and mailed to:

NLRS Comments
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Bureau of Water
1021 North Grand Ave. East
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794-9276. 

You may also email your comments to Simon.Daniels@illinois.gov.

If you have questions regarding the Strategy, please contact Caroline Wade, IL Corn’s Nutrient Watershed Manager by calling (309) 557-3257 or email her at cwade@ilcorn.org.