OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Enhancing the Illinois River

BY GARYTHOMAS

A state and federal partnership's goal is cleaner land and waters along the Illinois River.

What if I told you there is a new program out there that can reduce sedimentation in the Illinois River by 20 percent, reduce the nutrients in the river by up to 10 percent, increase the populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, non-game grassland birds and threatened/endangered species by 15 percent and increase the native fish and mussel populations in the lower reaches of the Illinois River by about 10 percent?

Those are the goals of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) launched this spring in Illinois. CREP is a part of the much older Conservation Reserve Program, which is the federal government's largest single environmental improvement program. CREP expands on CRP through a partnership with the state to share resources to achieve environmental goals. "Even though the two programs are similar in some respects, there is a big difference between them," said Debbie Bruce, chief of operations for the Office of Resource Conservation with the Department of Natural Resources. "The goals of both programs are to restore, enhance and preserve soil, water and wildlife resources. But while CRP is designed to take environmentally sensitive farm land out of production, the Illinois CREP focuses on the restoration, enhancement and protection of the main stem of the Illinois River and its major tributaries. The state provides additional incentives for the landowner to voluntarily enter into an agreement to extend the conservation practice beyond the CRP contract." Here's a couple of more differences between the two programs: CRP land is taken into the program based on, among other things, the bid the landowner says he'll accept to remove the land from production. Land may or may not be admitted into the program depending on the bid. CREP features a continuous signup process for a 15-year CRP contract, and there are no bids. If the land is in the prescribed area and the landowner agrees to implement the approved conservation practices, it is accepted into the program and payment is based on set rental rates based on soil types. The program also includes incentive rates for lands qualifying as riparian lands and for eligible credible ground.

Bruce said the program focuses on the Illinois River from Meredosia to Starved Rock, plus tributaries to the river, including the Spoon, Mackinaw, Vermilion, Kankakee, lower Box and lower Sangamon rivers.

"Because the focus of CREP is the riparian areas, defined as land in the 100-year flood plain in the eligible area, more practices are allowed for enrollment," Bruce said. "CREP encourages the planting of native grasses, the creation of filter strips and buffers, the planting of trees and wetland restoration."

Bruce pointed out that CREP also opens up the land eligibility. Land that probably wouldn't qualify for CRP programs is eligible here.

"Flat, flood-plain ground almost never qualifies for inclusion in the Conservation Reserve Program," Bruce said. "But the Conservation Reserve Enchancement Program focuses on wetland restoration and the restoration of native vegetation. We're trying to restore the flood plain areas which tend to be marginal frequently

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flooded land for most landowners. Wetland restoration can take place anywhere within the 100-year flood plain or in the targeted area, as long as the soil types meet the definition for a farmed wetland, prior converted wetland or a wetland farmed under natural conditions."

One of the most positive aspects of CREP is that it is long-term.

"Landowners who enroll have to agree to a minimum of a 15-year enrollment," Bruce said. "And they get a 30 percent incentive if they have riparian land. So if your land qualifies for a $ 100 per acre per month payment, and it qualifies as riparian land, you'd actually receive $130. There is a 20 percent incentive if they have erodible land. Erodible land cannot be enrolled in the CRP program, but qualifies in CREP."

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program focuses on specific goals which will improve water quality and enhance fish and wildlife populations in the Illinois River and its tributaries.

Understanding CREP can be a litde confusing. There are a number of federal and state agencies involved in the program, each of which is working toward enhancement and protec tion of the Illinois River. However, as a uniq partnership, CREP offers a flexible, cost-effective way to address many environmental problems for the Illinois River. The federal portion of CREP is fairly simple. It's a 15-year CRP contract for certain approved practices. The landowner also receives a 50 percent cost-share payment from the federal government for installing the approved conservation practice. The state part of the program—which is piggy-backed onto the federal contract—offers several options. Landowners can sign-up for either a 15-year or 30-year contract extension or put the land in a voluntary permanent easement. Payment per acre for a permanent easement is based on the annual soil rental rate (without any federal bonus incentives) times 15 years times 30 percent. The payment per acre for a 15-year contract extension is 50 percent of the permanent easement payment. The payment for a 35-year contract extension is 75 percent of the permanent easement payment. The payment for any of the state options is a one-time lump sum payment made after the state documents are recorded against the land deed.

Landowners who enter into a state option are also eligible for cost-sharing of up to 50 percent for performing approved practices. If the land is put into permanent easement, the state kicks in the remaining 50 percent. If the land is on the 100-year flood plain, and is enrolled in either a 15-year or 35-year contract extension, then the state will pay 40 percent of the costshare, leaving the remaining 10 percent up to the landowner.

Illinois first applied for CREP funds in February 1997, and became only the third state to be approved for participation in the program this past May. Maryland was approved in September 1997 and Minnesota this past February.

"CREP gives our state the unique opportunity to combine its resources with federal resources to target specific environmental problems in the Illinois River basin," Bruce said. "We have some very specific goals we hope to achieve. We want to see a 10-percent reduction of soil sediment entering the river, plus restore critical habitat that will increase populations of all types of native wildlife."

Bruce said Illinois is prepared to enroll up to 232,000 acres in the program.

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"We're still very early in the program, but there's a lot of interest being shown," she said. "We already have 4,395 acres enrolled in the state portion of the program, including 3,731 acres in permanent easements. Reports from county offices indicate we have a potential of another 12,000 acres to be enrolled in state options in the next few months."

One of the more promising aspects of the program is that landowners are enrolling entire fields in the program, instead of taking the checkerboard approach.

Surveys are taken by a Soil and Water Conservation District staff person to ensure land is graded to the appropriate level.

"Bottomland fields are typically farmed like a mosaic, with some parts of the land being dry and farmed, while other parts are wetlands that cannot be put into production most years," Bruce said. "The regular CRP doesn't accept wetlands in the program. However, as an added incentive to get landowners to participate, those who enroll their land in the permanent easement can enroll both tillable and non-tillable lands, even though the non-tillable lands might already be in trees and already helping reduce erosion. This is just an additional incentive to get landowners to participate in the program."

CREP goals are general in nature, and do not apply to individual areas. It is not a regulatory program, and there are no penalties for lands not achieving goals.

"We don't have individual objectives for each section of land, and we're not monitoring each piece of property to see if it meets our goals," Bruce said. "We're monitoring from a general perspective to achieve general goals. We know that better water quality means better fishing. Filter strips will reduce erosion and improve water quality. And filter strips provide wildlife with travel lanes. This is a program that is good for the landowner, good for sportsmen and good for the state in general. It's a win-win proposition."

For more information on CREP One of the real benefits of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is the matching up of federal and state agencies and combining their dollars to accomplish environmental goals. The Farm Services Administration manages the federal side of the program in the same manner as they do the regular CRP. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has the primary responsibility for administering the fiscal portion of the state side of the program and works with other federal and state agencies—including the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the implementation of the program. Landowners in the CREP area who want more information about the program should get in touch with a USDA Service Center, Soil and Water Conservation District office, DNR district or regional office, or write to: Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Debbie Bruce, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, 111. 62701-1787, telephone 217.785.8287.

Once land is enrolled, the cover established through the contract must be maintained, and the land cannot be put into row-crop production for the duration of the contract. No structures or roads can be constructed during the contract period, but existing structures and roads can be maintained. The easements don't force landowners to allow public access to the property. In fact, landowners retain all recreational rights to their property. They can hunt or fish on the property, and even lease the land for hunting and other forms of recreation.

Will the Conservation Reserve Enchancement Program be expanded to other parts of the state?

"That's a difficult question to answer," Bruce said. "There is no attempt being made to exclude other parts of the state. In fact, we'd like to see the program expand. But for now, we're restricted to a certain amount of acres, and we're focusing only on the Illinois River acreage. We've got a pretty good handle on what's going on there. If we see that these initial acres are performing well, perhaps we can go to the federal government and request a change in the program to include additional acres.

"What we're trying to achieve is long-term, long-lasting environmental incentives," she said. "Too often landowners put their land in programs and then as formulas change or crop prices increase, they pull the land out and put it back into production. This program makes it easier for the landowner to keep his land in the program." •

GARY THOMAS
is a staff writer for Out door Illinois. a publication of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This article is reprinted with permission from the December 1998 issue of Out door Illinois. Photographs by Chas Dees.

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New Toll Free TIP Hotline

There's a new toll-free telephone number for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources TIP hotline. It is 1.877.236.7529 or 1.877.2DNRLAW. The number was changed to make it easier for the public to remember. If you see a natural resources law violation, just remember you report violations to DNR LAW, 1.877.2DNRLAW (1.877.236.7529).

The Department of Natural Resources is also working the Illinois Conservation Foundation to establish a TIP Hotline Reward Program. We're seeking support from constituent groups asking for a five-year monetary commitment to the program.

Participating groups would have to say in determining which cases qualify for a reward. Interested groups should call John Schmitt at the Illinois Conservation Foundation at 312.814.7237. •

Commission Celebrates 35th

A milestone was reached in 1998 as the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission marked its 35th anniversary.

The first of its kind in the United States, the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission was established on Aug. 28,1963, when the Illinois Nature Preserves Act was signed into law establishing a legally binding dedication provision to protect natural areas. Since then, the Illinois model has been duplicated many times over in other states.

The commission is composed of nine citizen volunteers appointed by the governor to assist private and public landowners in protecting highquality natural areas and habitats for endangered and threatened species in perpetuity through a voluntary dedication or registration of land into the Illinois Nature Preserves System.

Carl Becker, head of the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Natural Heritage, said through the years the commissioners have reflected the "Who's Who" of conservation in Illinois, including such individuals as Gaylord Donnelley, John Madson and George Fell.

He noted the Nature Preserves Commission has a rich legacy, including establishment of:

• 270 dedicated nature preserves protecting 36,800 acres;

• 25 land and water reserves encompassing more than 13,000 acres; and

• 113 Natural Heritage Landmarks totaling 5,500 acres.

Becker said 73 of Illinois' 102 counties have at least one dedicated nature preserve. He also said more than 40 private individuals and families have dedicated their land as nature preserves or land and water reserves, protecting significant ecological resources in their ownership without government acquisition of the land. •

Witter Named To Museum Post

Karen Witter has been named assistant museum director-operations for the Illinois State Museum effective Jan. 1. Witter currendy serves as director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Office of Scientific Research and Analysis. She has 20 years experience in Illinois state government as a senior level administrator involved with environmental, natural resources, and science and technology programs and policies. Her previous posts include director of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources and executive director of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. •

Tribune's Husar Recognized

Longtime Chicago Tribune outdoors writer John Husar received the 1998 Conservation Leadership Award from Openlands Project, recognizing him for being a staunch supporter of the Illinois outdoors for more than 20 years. Openlands presented Husar with the award at its annual meeting, which also marked the conservation organizations 35th anniversary.

"Through his journalism, John Husar has been a major catalyst and voice for Illinois conservation efforts that are of national significance," said Jerry Adelmann, executive director of Openlands. "The conservation and sportsmen's communities are fortunate to have such a committed visionary as their ally."

In the late 1980s as a member of the Tribune's sports staff, Husar wrote a front-page, five-part series titled "Illinois' Vanishing Landscape," which drew attention to the regions dwindling habitat, farmland, water resources and open space.

In 1980, another five-part series written by Husar, "Chicago's Hidden Wilderness," became a rallying point for efforts to preserve and revitalize the natural, historic and cultural resources of the area along the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which stretches 100 miles from Chicago to LaSallePeru. In the process of writing the series, and as a result of his commitment to the concept of creating a linear park along the I&M Canal Corridor, Husar assembled and helped educate public officials, concerned citizens, environmentalists and others about the concept. His efforts helped spur federal legislation designating the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, which was the first national heritage corridor in the nation.

Openlands Project, founded in 1963, is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing public open space in northeastern Illinois. •

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Cache River Center Named for Barkhausen

Ground has been broken on a new $4 million Cache River Wetlands Center, with Gov. Jim Edgar naming it in honor of Henry N. Barkhausen, a former director of the department of Conservation and longtime advocate of preserving Southern Illinois wetlands.

"Henry Barkhausen has been a driving force behind the educational center and protection of these wetlands, which are an Illinois treasure recognized for their international significance," Edgar said. "The effort to protect this area has been the result of many partners working together, but it has been Henry's boundless energy, drive and determination that has brought it all together."

Barkhausen, a retired industrialist and avid outdoorsman, was the Department's director from 1970 to 12973 and is a longtime member of the Citizens Committee to Save the Cache River, established in 1979 to promote conservation practices in the Cache River drainage basin.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited, as well as the Citizens Committee to Save the Cache River, are working together to protect and restore a 60,000-acre wetland corridor along the river. About 38,000 acres already have been protected.

The planned 6,200-square-foot visitor center will be located along the 44-mile Tunnel Hill State Trail and the Cache River south of Whitehill on Illinois Route 37 near the Johnson-Pulaski county line.

Expected to be complete in 2000, the project includes funding to acquire critical habitat areas at the Cache River State Natural Area, along with building and site improvements. The visitor center will include reception, exhibit and display areas, an audio-visual room and staff offices. Viewing decks, a trail connection and a 25- to 50-acre wetland restoration area also are planned. •

Multi-use Trail Opens in East-Central Illinois

The Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail, a 12-mile multi-use trail linking Mattoon and Charleston in Coles County, is open following dedication by Gov. Jim Edgar and state and local officials. The scenic trail follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way from the Ninth Street parking lot in Mattoon to Coles County Route 2, about two miles east of Charleston.

"This trail will provide additional recreational opportunities, giving users a safe place to enjoy the outdoors by hiking, biking or horseback riding, and providing the added convenience of a trail link between these two cities." Edgar said.

The state provided 90 percent of the trail's $730,000 cost through transportation enhancement funds from the Illinois Department of Transportation and from bikeway funds administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The cities of Mattoon and Charleston provided the balance of funding. Local communities will maintain the trail.

"Trail developments like this one represent an important way that state government can help local communities improve their quality of life, while enhancing tourism and outdoor recreation activities," said Edgar, an important supporter of DNR's bikeway grant program since he was secretary of state in the 1980s. •

The Edgar administration has added more than 1,300 miles of hiking and biking trails throughout Illinois, doubling the state's trail system during the 1990s.

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About the Illinois Public Museum Grant Programs

On June 29, 1998, Gov. Jim Edgar signed legislation to fund innovative education partnerships linking Illinois museums with schools and to enhance learning opportunities for students throughout the state. The Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois State Museum are administering the Illinois Public Museum Grant Programs.

The legislation implements a five-year, $50 million capital funding component, based on an annual appropriation of $10 million. to help museums create new exhibits and expand facilities to enhance their ability to meet their educational mission.

The authorizing statute establishes that only museums that are operated by or located on land owned by a unit of local government are eligible for the capital grant program. The museum must also be able to match their request with local government and/or private funds equal to at least two-thirds of the incurred capital expenditures.

The FY99 application deadline was November 2. Thirty-four applications and 37 letters of intent for future years were received. After an initial department and museum staff review, a peer review panel met December 9 to make their recommendations. The awards will be announced in January.

The operating funding component is a $5 million initiative for Fiscal Year 1999 to encourage the development of creative ways of using exhibits, experts, and resources to supplement classroom instruction. The authorizing statute establishes that only museums that are operated by or located on land owned by a unit of local government or that have an annual attendance of at least 150,000 and offer educational programs to school groups during school hours are eligible for the operating grant program. Applications were due Jan. 4,1999, and awards will be announced soon after that date.

This is the first time in many years that a state granting program for Illinois museums has been available and the response has been very positive. We are hopeful that the widespread support by Illinois museums for the capital and the operating programs will enable the funding to continue and perhaps expand in future years.

For more information, call 217.782.7388. (And see "Grants Outlook 1999" in this issue of Illinois Parks & Recreation.) •

KAREN FYFE is a staff member of the illinois State Museum.

Management In Place at SiteM

Michael R, Wickens, Chester, and Louis Leinberger, Petersburg, have been named as the new management team at Site M in Cass County, the second largest property in the state park system.

Totaling 15,574 acres and located 30 miles northwest of Springfield, Site M was purchased by the state in June 1993. More than $22 million has been appropriated for the site to develop roads, horse and hiking trails, camping facilities and a 210-acre lake.

Wickens, 45, will be the primary manager of Site M, responsible for all its operations. He has been site superintendent at Randolph County State Fish and Wildlife Area since 1988. He served as site superintendent at Trail of Tears State Forest from 1981 to 1988. Leinberger, 62, will concentrate his efforts on staff operations, habitat restoration and farm leases. He has been involved in production agriculture for 40 years. •

Conservation Grants Awarded

Nearly $2.7 million in grants were awarded to 23 local public-private partnerships for natural resource protection and restoration projects through the Illinois Conservation 2000 initiative, which has become a model for environmental land and watershed management efforts nationwide.

Partnerships receiving grants match state funding with $4.6 million in cash, in-kind and other contributions. Grant funding comes through Conservation 2000, the governor's six-year, $100 million initiative to conserve, restore and manage Illinois' natural resources.

The program also provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners who agree to maintain and enhance the ecology in environmentally sensitive watersheds throughout Illinois. Habitat restoration, research and environmental education projects proposed by the partnerships are funded through the program. •

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