(70 ILCS 405/10) (from Ch. 5, par. 115)

Sec. 10. Findings and determinations of Department. After such hearing, if the Department determines upon the facts presented at such hearing and upon such other relevant facts and information as may be available that there is need in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, for a soil and water conservation district to function in the territory considered at the hearing, it shall make and record such determination and shall define by metes and bounds, or by legal subdivisions, the boundaries of such district. In making such determination and in defining such boundaries, the Department shall give due weight and consideration to the following matters which are hereby stated to be the standards which shall guide the considerations of the Department: The topography of the area considered and of the State; the composition of soils; the distribution of erosion; the prevailing land use practices; the desirability and necessity of including within the boundaries the particular lands under consideration and the benefits such lands may receive from being included within such boundaries; the relation of the proposed area to existing watersheds and agricultural regions and to other soil conservation districts already organized or proposed for organization under the provisions of this Act, and such other physical, geographical, and economic factors as are relevant. The territory to be included within such boundaries need not be contiguous. No territory shall be included within the boundaries of more than one district. In cases where territory is proposed to be added to an existing district, the Department shall also consider the attitude of the district directors as expressed at the hearing, by resolution or otherwise.

If the Department determines after such hearing, and after due consideration of the above-mentioned facts and standards that there is no need for a soil and water conservation district for the territory considered at the hearing, it shall record such determination and deny the petition. No subsequent petitions covering the same or substantially the same territory shall be filed as aforesaid until after the expiration of one year from the date of such denial.

(Source: P.A. 101-484, eff. 1-1-20.)