(70 ILCS 405/2) (from Ch. 5, par. 107)
Sec. 2. Declaration of policy. The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest to provide (a)
for the conservation of the soil, soil health, soil resources, organic matter in soil and plants, water quality and water
resources of this State, (b) for the control and prevention of soil
erosion, (c) for the prevention of air and water pollution and the improvement of resilience to droughts, floods, and other extreme weather, and (d) for
the prevention of erosion, floodwater and sediment
damages, and thereby to conserve natural resources, control floods,
prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, assist in maintaining the
navigability of rivers and harbors, conserve wild life and forests,
protect the tax base, protect public lands, and protect and promote the
health, safety and general welfare of the people of this State.
The General Assembly finds that erosion continues to be a serious problem
throughout the State, and that rapid shifts in land use from agricultural
to nonagricultural uses, changes in farm enterprises, operations, ownership,
construction of housing, industrial and commercial developments, streets,
highways, recreation areas, schools, colleges and universities, and other
land disturbing activities have accelerated the process of soil erosion
and sediment deposition resulting in reduced resilience to floods, droughts, and other extreme weather, pollution of the waters of the State
and damage to domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational, fish and
wildlife, and other resource uses. It is, therefore, declared to be the
policy of this State to strengthen and extend the present erosion and sediment
control activities and programs for both rural and urban lands, and to establish
and implement, through the Department and soil and water conservation districts
in cooperation with units of local government, school districts, other political
subdivisions of this State, agencies of this State and other public agencies
and private entities, a statewide comprehensive and coordinated erosion
and sediment control program to conserve and protect land, water, air and
other resources.
The provisions of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees
Tort Immunity Act shall apply to all districts created pursuant to this Act.
(Source: P.A. 101-484, eff. 1-1-20.)
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