HR0172 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0172 LRB102 17836 ECR 24269 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Rapid land development in Illinois has led to the loss of forestlands, farmlands, wildlife habitats, biodiversity, outstanding natural areas, beaches, and public areas for outdoor recreation; this has impacted the health of the State's lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands, all of which impacts the quality of life of the State's current and future citizens; this land development may jeopardize the well-being of the State's environment and economy if not addressed appropriately; and

WHEREAS, This same rapid land development has also led to the loss of historical and archaeological sites that embody the heritage of the State; and

WHEREAS, This incredible loss of natural land is occurring across the United States and around the world; and

WHEREAS, Scientists have documented this rapid loss of natural area and wildlife, including the loss of 1,500,000 acres of natural area in the United States per year, the loss of 2,900,000,000, or twenty-nine percent, of North American birds since 1970, threats to approximately 12,000 plant and animal species in the United States, all of which are in need of proactive conservation efforts, and the loss of one-half of freshwater and saltwater wetlands in the contiguous forty-eight states; and

WHEREAS, Scientists have recommended conserving and protecting thirty percent of the land and thirty percent of the ocean in each country by 2030 in order to address this deterioration of natural systems, loss of biodiversity, and rapid land development; and

WHEREAS, In order to support national efforts and provide state leadership to address the deterioration of natural systems, loss of biodiversity, and rapid land development, Illinois must establish a bold goal for the amount of land to be protected by the year 2030; and

WHEREAS, Building upon the legislative work of previous students from Pontiac Township High School, Lemont High School, and Whitney Young High School, Emilie Collins and Keagan Hall of Pontiac Township High School in Pontiac and Emilee Bencivenga of the Department of Defense Dependents Ramstein American High School in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany knew something needed to be done and created a piece of legislation that amends the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act and creates the Illinois Thirty-By-Thirty Conservation Task Force; and

WHEREAS, That task force shall review and make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding conservation of Illinois land and implementation of strategies to conserve and protect 30 percent of land in Illinois by 2030; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Emilie Collins, Keagan Hall, Emilee Bencivenga, and all of the students involved for their work to create legislation to conserve the land, rivers, and lakes of Illinois for present and future generations to enjoy, taking into account a wide range of flexible and enduring conservation solutions that will improve access to nature for all people within Illinois, especially for communities that have historically lacked access to natural spaces; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Emilie Collins, Keagan Hall, and Emilee Bencivenga as an expression of our esteem and respect.