Ryan Announces Funding to Two Groups for Water Quality Planning in 16 Counties

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced approval of funding to planning commissions in northeastern and southern Illinois for water quality management activities.

Between them the groups will be responsible for reviewing multiple planning, permitting and construction permits in 16 Illinois counties, and in southern Illinois, for coordinating a volunteer lake monitoring programs in 15 counties as well.

"Regional planning agencies play a key role in promoting balanced responsible growth in Illinois and state government is pleased to partner with them," said Governor Ryan.

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) will receive $129,303 for Facility Planning Areas oversight in Cook, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, Will and Kane counties. Facility Planning Areas (FPA) determine areas to be served by community wastewater treatment facilities. Under the funding agreement for fiscal year 2002, NIPC will conduct water quality management plan reviews for domestic wastewater NPDES permits (required for any operation that discharges into the waters of the state), as well as planning for sewers, lift stations and wastewater land treatment systems within the FPA.

In southern Illinois, $32,759 will go to the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission (GERPDC) for providing review service for FPA projects within Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Jackson, Perry, Pope, Saline and Williamson counties. In addition, GERPDC will be responsible for coordinating the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program in Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Williamson, Saline and Union counties. The VLMP utilizes the services of volunteers to conduct sampling and submit information on a variety of water quality parameters in designated lakes, supplementing information the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency compiles in its monitoring and evaluation programs.

Both the FPA and the lake monitoring components of the funding packages reflect Gov. George Ryan's "Illinois Tomorrow" program, the voluntary initiative that seeks to protect existing natural resources as well as quality of life by working in partnership with local governments to promote responsible and balanced growth through maximum utilization of existing mechanisms.

Funding for the water quality management programs comes from federal money available under Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act. The funding is administered through the IEPA.