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Illinois Environmental Council concerned over SWCD cuts

The land use programs director with the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) says the organization is concerned about budget cuts to Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts. 

Eliot Clay tells Brownfield the 4-million-dollar decrease will have an impact.

“There was a really big setback in Illinois.”  He says, “The real world implications of this are going to be people not being able to retain their jobs with the districts, and districts just not being able to hire people in general.”

He says the work of soil & water conservationists is even more important because adverse weather events are increasing.

“We’re now seeing, you know, multiple dust storm warnings and advisories issued in central Illinois over the last two years, including a really devastating one that occurred on I-55 last year that led to a number of people losing their lives,” he says.

Clay says more conservation programs than ever are available for farmers, but personnel is needed to implement them.

“I think our state just needs to be conscious of the fact that we also need to be stewards of the land that we’re using.”  He says, “It’s the responsibility of the state to make sure that we are not leaving the soil and thinking that it’s just going to be good forever.”

He says IEC is working with Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, and other ag groups to lobby for a permanent SWCD funding solution.   

AUDIO: Eliot Clay – Illinois Environmental Council