SJ0107 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0107 LRB096 21318 JDS 37336 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The General Assembly declares that, in order to conserve natural resources, control floods, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors, conserve wildlife and forests, protect the tax base and public lands, and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of this State, it is in the public interest to provide for the conservation of the State's soil, soil resources, water, and water resources in order to control and prevent soil erosion, prevent air and water pollution, and prevent soil erosion and floodwater and sediment damages; and

WHEREAS, Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts have been caring for the State's precious natural and environmental resources since 1938; and

WHEREAS, Soil and Water Conservation Districts have no authority to generate operating revenue through taxation but must rely on the Illinois General Assembly for their operational funds; and

WHEREAS, Funding levels have steadily fallen over the past several years to the level that many Soil and Water Conservation Districts have been forced to reduce employee hours, delay filling vacant positions, lay off employees, and significantly reduce natural resource and environmental protection services to Illinois citizens; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Illinois General Assembly shall convene a Joint Task Force on Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which shall study the history and purpose of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the administration and organization of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the current and future funding of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and any other topic regarding Soil and Water Conservation Districts that the Chair of the Task Force sees fit to study; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Joint Task Force shall include: one member appointed by the President of the Senate; one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; one member appointed by the Speaker of the House; one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House; the Director of Agriculture or his or her designee, who shall serve as the Chairperson; the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency or his or her designee; and the Director of Natural Resources or his or her designee; additionally, the Director of Agriculture shall appoint the following Task Force Members: one Soil and Water Conservation District Association member; two directors of local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, one located in an urban area, one located in a rural area; two Soil and Water Conservation District employees, one located in an urban area, one located in a rural area; one member representing a statewide association of land improvement contractors; two members representing two separate associations of commodity producers; two members of two separate statewide organizations representing farmers; and two members representing two separate statewide environmental organizations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be facilitated by the Department of Agriculture; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint Task Force shall report its findings and legislative recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2011; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Director of Agriculture, the Director of Natural Resources, and the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency.