093_HB0422ham005

 










                                     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a

 1                     AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 422

 2        AMENDMENT NO.     .  Amend House Bill  422  by  replacing
 3    the title with the following:
 4        "AN ACT concerning wetlands."; and

 5    by  replacing  everything  after the enacting clause with the
 6    following:

 7        "Section 1.  Short title.  This Act may be cited  as  the
 8    Wetlands Protection Act.

 9        Section  5.  Scope.  This  Act does not apply to property
10    within a municipality with a population greater than 500,000,
11    nor to property within  the  incorporated  or  unincorporated
12    area of a county with a population greater than 3,000,000.

13        Section 10.  Definitions.  For the purposes of this Act:
14        (a)  "ADID"  means  those aquatic sites identified by the
15    United States Environmental Protection Agency and the  United
16    States  Army Corps of Engineers as areas generally unsuitable
17    for disposal of dredged or fill material in  accordance  with
18    40 C.F.R. Part 230.80.
19        (b)  "Affected  property" means any property upon which a
20    regulated activity is conducted.
 
                            -2-      LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1        (c)  "Agency" means the Illinois Environmental Protection
 2    Agency.
 3        (d)  "Agricultural land" means  land  that  is  currently
 4    used for normal farming or ranching activities.
 5        (e)  "Avoidance"  means any action taken in a manner such
 6    that a regulated activity will not occur.
 7        (f)  "Bog" means a peat-accumulating wetland that has  no
 8    significant  inflows  or  outflows  and  supports acidophilic
 9    mosses, particularly sphagnum,  resulting  in  highly  acidic
10    conditions.
11        (g)  "Commencing  such  a  regulated  activity" means any
12    steps taken in preparation of conducting a regulated activity
13    that may impact  the  affected  property,  such  as  cutting,
14    filling, pumping of water, and earth movement.
15        (h)  "Committee" means the Wetlands Advisory Committee.
16        (i)  "Contiguous   wetland"   means  a  wetland  that  is
17    delineated on the affected property and  extends  beyond  the
18    boundary of that property.
19        (j)  "Converted  wetland"  means  a wetland that has been
20    drained, dredged, filled, leveled, or  otherwise  manipulated
21    (including  the  removal  of woody vegetation or any activity
22    that  results  in  impairing  or  reducing   the   flow   and
23    circulation  of  water) for the purpose of or with the effect
24    of  making  possible  the  production  of   an   agricultural
25    commodity  without  further  application of the manipulations
26    described herein if: (i) such production would not have  been
27    possible  but  for  such  action, and (ii) before such action
28    such land was  wetland,  farmed  wetland,  or  farmed-wetland
29    pasture  and  was  neither  highly  erodible  land nor highly
30    erodible cropland.
31        (k)  "Corps of  Engineers"  or  "COE"  means  the  United
32    States Army Corps of Engineers.
33        (l)  "Cypress   swamp"   means   forested,  permanent  or
34    semi-permanent bodies  of  water,  with  species  assemblages
 
                            -3-      LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    characteristic  of  the Gulf and Southeastern Coastal Plains,
 2    including bald  cypress,  which  are  restricted  to  extreme
 3    southern Illinois.
 4        (m)  "Department"   means   the  Illinois  Department  of
 5    Natural Resources.
 6        (n)  "Director" means the Director of Natural Resources.
 7        (o)  "Fen" means a  wetland  fed  by  an  alkaline  water
 8    source such as a calcareous spring or seep.
 9        (p)  "Floristic  quality index" means an index calculated
10    using the Floristic Quality Assessment  Method  of  assessing
11    floristic  integrity  (or  quality)  by summing the numerical
12    quality ratings of all plant species  present  then  dividing
13    the  total  by  the  number  of  native species present (mean
14    coefficient of conservatism) or by the  square  root  of  the
15    number  of  native  species (floristic quality index). (Taft,
16    J.B., G.S. Wilhelm,  D.M.  Ladd,  and  L.A.  Masters.   1997.
17    Floristic  quality  assessment  for vegetation in Illinois, a
18    method  for  assessing  vegetation  integrity.  Erigenia  15:
19    3-95.)
20        (q)  "Incidentally created" means created as a result  of
21    any  normal or routine activity coincidental with the conduct
22    of legitimate business enterprises, except that a wetland  or
23    depression  created  as mitigation for any activity affecting
24    wetlands is not "incidentally created."
25        (r)  "Incidental fallback" means the redeposit  of  small
26    volumes  of dredged material that is incidental to excavation
27    activity in waters of the State when such material falls back
28    to substantially the same place as the initial removal.
29        (s)  "Isolated  wetlands"  means  those  areas  that  are
30    inundated or saturated  by  surface  or  ground  water  at  a
31    frequency  or  duration sufficient to support, and that under
32    normal circumstances do support, a prevalence  of  vegetation
33    typically  adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, and
34    that are not regulated under the federal Clean Water Act.
 
                            -4-      LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1        (t)  "Panne" means wet interdunal flats located near Lake
 2    Michigan.
 3        (u)  "Person"   means   an    individual,    partnership,
 4    co-partnership,  firm,  company,  limited  liability company,
 5    corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, estate,
 6    political subdivision, State agency, or other  legal  entity,
 7    or its legal representative, agent, or assigns.
 8        (v)  "Prior converted cropland" means a converted wetland
 9    where  the conversion occurred prior to December 23, 1985, an
10    agricultural commodity has been produced at least once before
11    December 23, 1985, and as of December 23, 1985, the converted
12    wetland  did  not  support  woody  vegetation  and  met   the
13    following  hydrologic  criteria: (i) inundation was less than
14    15 consecutive days during the growing season or 10%  of  the
15    growing  season, whichever is less, in most years (50% chance
16    or more); and (ii) if a pothole,  ponding  was  less  than  7
17    consecutive days during the growing season in most years (50%
18    chance  or  more) and saturation was less than 14 consecutive
19    days during the growing season  most  years  (50%  chance  or
20    more).
21        (w)  "Regulated  activity" means the discharge of dredged
22    or fill material into a wetland, the drainage of  a  wetland,
23    or  excavation  of  a  wetland  that  results  in  more  than
24    incidental fallback.
25        (x)  "Threatened   or  endangered  species"  means  those
26    species that have been designated as threatened or endangered
27    by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board  pursuant
28    to  the  Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act and those
29    species that have been designated as threatened or endangered
30    by the  U.S.  Fish  and  Wildlife  Service  pursuant  to  the
31    Endangered Species Act.
32        (y)  "Upland"  means non-wetland, when used to describe a
33    particular land use, or non-hydric, when used to  describe  a
34    soil type.
 
                            -5-      LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1        (z)  "Wetlands"  means  those areas that are inundated or
 2    saturated by surface  or  ground  water  at  a  frequency  or
 3    duration   sufficient  to  support,  and  that  under  normal
 4    circumstances  do  support,  a   prevalence   of   vegetation
 5    typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

 6        Section 20.  Exemptions.
 7        (a)  As  long  as  they  do  not  have  as  their purpose
 8    bringing a wetland into a use to which it was not  previously
 9    subject,  the  following  are  not prohibited by or otherwise
10    subject to regulation under this Act:
11             (1)  Normal  farming,  silviculture,  and   ranching
12        activities  such  as plowing, seeding, cultivating, minor
13        drainage, harvesting for the production of  food,  fiber,
14        and   forest   products,   or   upland   soil  and  water
15        conservation practices.
16             (2)  Maintenance, including emergency reconstruction
17        of  recently  damaged  parts,  of  currently  serviceable
18        structures such as dikes, dams, levees,  groins,  riprap,
19        breakwaters,   causeways,   and   bridge   abutments   or
20        approaches, and transportation structures.
21             (3)  Construction  or  maintenance  of farm or stock
22        ponds or irrigation canals or ditches, or the maintenance
23        of drainage ditches.
24             (4)  Construction of temporary sedimentation  basins
25        on   a  construction  site  that  does  not  include  any
26        regulated activities within a wetland.
27             (5)  Construction or maintenance of  farm  roads  or
28        forest  roads,  or  temporary  roads  for  moving  mining
29        equipment,   where   such   roads   are  constructed  and
30        maintained, in accordance with best management practices,
31        to assure that flow and circulation patterns and chemical
32        and biological characteristics of  the  wetland  are  not
33        impaired,  that  the reach of the wetland is not reduced,
 
                            -6-      LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1        and that any adverse effect on  the  aquatic  environment
 2        will be otherwise minimized.
 3             (6)  Except  for  Class  IA  and  Class IB wetlands,
 4        activities  for  the  placement  of  pilings  for  linear
 5        projects, such as bridges, elevated walkways,  and  power
 6        line   structures  in  accordance  with  best  management
 7        practices,  to  assure  that  the  flow  and  circulation
 8        patterns and chemical and biological  characteristics  of
 9        the  wetland  are  not  impaired,  that  the reach of the
10        wetland is not reduced, and that any  adverse  effect  on
11        the aquatic environment will be otherwise minimized.
12             (7)  Installation    and   maintenance   of   signs,
13        lighting, and fences and the mowing of vegetation  within
14        existing maintained rights-of-way.
15             (8)  Repair  and  maintenance of existing buildings,
16        facilities, lawns, and ornamental plantings.
17             (9)  Construction projects that  have  obtained  any
18        necessary   building   permits   from   applicable  local
19        jurisdictions prior to the effective date of this Act.
20             (10)  Application of media, including deicing media,
21        on the surface of existing roads for purposes  of  public
22        safety.
23             (11)  Non-surface     disturbing     surveys     and
24        investigations  for  construction, planning, maintenance,
25        or location of environmental resources.
26             (12)  Wetland management practices on lands that are
27        used primarily for the  management  of  waterfowl,  other
28        migratory  water  birds,  or furbearers if such practices
29        took place on these lands prior to the effective date  of
30        this  Act.   This includes vegetation management that may
31        include  the  use  of  fire,  chemical,   or   mechanical
32        (hydro-axe,  bulldozer,  rome disk, or similar equipment)
33        removal of invading woody  or  herbaceous  vegetation  to
34        maintain   a   preferred   successional  stage.   Use  of
 
                            -7-      LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1        chemicals must be by a certified applicator and chemicals
 2        must be registered  for  appropriate  use.   Clearing  or
 3        removal  of  woody  vegetation shall be limited to 4-inch
 4        dbh (diameter at breast height) or smaller  material  for
 5        the   purpose   of   establishing   or   maintaining  the
 6        successional stage of a wetland as an herbaceous  wetland
 7        vegetated   by  native  moist  soil  plants  or  selected
 8        wildlife food plants.
 9        (b)  Any  exemption  authorized  by  and  pertaining   to
10    wetlands  that  are  subject  to regulation under the federal
11    Clean Water Act, or regulations promulgated thereunder, shall
12    also be an exemption for the purpose of this Act.
13        (c)  The following are not isolated wetlands for purposes
14    of this Act:
15             (1)  Waste treatment  systems,  including  treatment
16        ponds  or  lagoons, designed to comply with water quality
17        standards  of  the  State  or  to  remediate  a  site  in
18        accordance with an approved Agency  program,  and  former
19        waste  treatment  systems that have ceased operation less
20        than 33 years  prior  to  commencement  of  the  proposed
21        activity   or   which   are   undergoing  remediation  in
22        accordance with an approved Agency program.
23             (2)  A drainage or irrigation ditch.
24             (3)  An  artificially  irrigated  area  that   would
25        revert to upland if the irrigation ceased.
26             (4)  An   artificial   lake   or   pond  created  by
27        excavating or diking upland to collect and  retain  water
28        for  the  primary  purpose of stock watering, irrigation,
29        wildlife, fire control, ornamentation or landscaping,  or
30        as a settling pond.
31             (5)  Except  for  isolated wetlands created pursuant
32        to mining activities regulated in  accordance  with  item
33        (7)   below,   an   incidentally   created   water-filled
34        depression,   unless:   (i)  ownership  of  the  property
 
                            -8-      LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1        containing the depression has been transferred away  from
 2        the  party  who  incidentally  created  the  water-filled
 3        depression,  (ii)  that  ownership transfer occurred more
 4        than 12 months prior to the commencement of an  otherwise
 5        regulated  activity,  (iii)  the  use of the property has
 6        changed from the use that existed when the  property  was
 7        transferred  from  the party who incidentally created the
 8        water-filled depression, and (iv) the resulting  body  of
 9        water  meets  the  definition  in this Act of an isolated
10        wetland; or if the ownership of the property has not been
11        transferred from the party who created  the  incidentally
12        created  water-filled  depression, the depression was not
13        created  more  than  33  years  before   the   date   the
14        application is received by the Department.
15             (6)  Stormwater   or   spill   management   systems,
16        including  retention  and  detention  basins, ditches and
17        channels,  and  former  stormwater  or  spill  management
18        systems that have ceased operation  less  than  33  years
19        prior  to  commencement of the proposed activity or which
20        are undergoing remediation in accordance with an approved
21        Agency program.
22             (7)  Waters that undergo mining activities conducted
23        pursuant to a federal, State, regional, or  local  permit
24        that requires the reclamation of the affected wetlands if
25        the  reclamation  will  be  completed within a reasonable
26        period of time after completion of activities at the site
27        and, upon completion of such  reclamation,  the  wetlands
28        will   support  functions  generally  equivalent  to  the
29        functions supported  by  the  wetlands  at  the  time  of
30        commencement of such activities.
31             (8)  Prior converted cropland.
32        (d)  Any  activity  covered  by  the  Interagency Wetland
33    Policy Act of 1989 is exempt from all of  the  provisions  of
34    this Act.
 
                            -9-      LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1        Section  25.  Applicability.   Until  June  30, 2007, the
 2    requirements of this Act apply to all  isolated  wetlands  as
 3    that  term  is  defined  in  this  Act.  In the event that an
 4    isolated wetland ceases to meet that  definition  because  it
 5    becomes  subject  to regulation under the federal Clean Water
 6    Act,  such  wetland  shall  no  longer  be  subject  to   the
 7    provisions of this Act.
 8        Beginning  July  1,  2007,  the  requirements of this Act
 9    apply to all wetlands as that term is defined  in  this  Act,
10    unless  a  COE permit is required; provided, however, that if
11    an exemption under Section 20 applies, that  exemption  shall
12    continue in effect after July 1, 2007.
13        The  Department  on  behalf  of the State of Illinois may
14    enter into written delegation agreements with  the  Corps  of
15    Engineers  under  which  it may assume all or portions of COE
16    authority under the federal Clean Water Act.  Such delegation
17    agreements shall provide, at a minimum, that all delineation,
18    classification,  notification,  and  permitting  requirements
19    shall be at least as stringent as  those  contained  in  this
20    Act.

21        Section    30.  Wetlands   delineation,   classification,
22    notification, permits.   The  requirements  of  this  Section
23    apply  upon the adoption of rules under Sections 45(c) and 60
24    of this Act, or 270 days from the effective date of this Act,
25    whichever occurs first.
26        (a)  The  procedures  and  regulatory  criteria  for  the
27    delineation, classification, notification, and permitting for
28    wetlands shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions
29    of this Section.
30        (b)  Any  person  who  intends  to  conduct  a  regulated
31    activity within the State may request  a  determination  from
32    the  Department  as  to  the existence, location, and surface
33    area of  any  wetlands  on  or  contiguous  to  the  affected
 
                            -10-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    property.   Nothing  in this Section shall require the person
 2    to seek such a determination; however, failure  to  seek  and
 3    obtain  a  determination  shall  not  be  a defense against a
 4    violation of this Act.
 5        The person seeking  a  determination  shall  provide  the
 6    Department  with  sufficient  information  to  render  such a
 7    determination.  Such  information  shall  include  a  wetland
 8    delineation   made   in  accordance  with  the  COE  Wetlands
 9    Delineation Manual, Technical Report Y-87-1.  Delineation  of
10    the  portion  of  a  contiguous  wetland  not on the affected
11    property shall be made to the extent reasonably possible, and
12    methods other  than  physical  onsite  evaluations  shall  be
13    considered by the Department.
14        The  Department  shall provide notice to the applicant as
15    to whether a submitted application is  complete.  Unless  the
16    Department  notifies  the  applicant  that the application is
17    incomplete within 15 days of receipt of the application,  the
18    application  shall  be  deemed  complete.  The Department may
19    request  additional  information  as  needed  to   make   the
20    completeness determination.
21        The   Department   shall,  upon  receipt  of  a  complete
22    determination request, provide the person,  within  30  days,
23    with  a  determination  as  to  the  existence, location, and
24    surface area of wetlands located  on  or  contiguous  to  the
25    affected property.
26        If  the  Department determines that there are no wetlands
27    on the affected property, any  otherwise  regulated  activity
28    conducted  on  the  property  shall  not  be  subject  to the
29    provisions of this Act.
30        If the Department determines that there is  one  or  more
31    wetlands  on  or  contiguous  to  the  affected property, the
32    person may apply to the Department for classification of such
33    wetlands.
34        Any determination of a wetland by  the  Department  is  a
 
                            -11-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    final decision for purposes of appeal.
 2        (c)  If   any  person  intends  to  conduct  a  regulated
 3    activity,  such  person  may,  prior  to  commencing  such  a
 4    regulated activity, request that the wetland be classified as
 5    Class IA, IB, II, or III in accordance with the provisions of
 6    this Section.  Nothing in  this  Section  shall  require  the
 7    person  to  seek such a classification; however, any wetlands
 8    not so classified  shall  be  considered  Class  IA  for  the
 9    purposes of this Act.
10        The  person  seeking  a  classification shall provide the
11    Department with  sufficient  information  to  render  such  a
12    classification.  Such  information  shall  include  a wetland
13    delineation  made  in  accordance  with  the   COE   Wetlands
14    Delineation Manual, Technical Report Y-87-1.
15        Unless  the  Department  notifies  the applicant that the
16    application is incomplete within 15 days of  receipt  of  the
17    application,  the  application  shall be deemed complete. The
18    Department may request additional information  as  needed  to
19    make  the  completeness  determination. The Department shall,
20    upon receipt of a complete  classification  request,  provide
21    the person, within 30 days, with a classification of wetlands
22    located  on  or  contiguous to the affected property.  If the
23    Department fails to provide the person with a  classification
24    within  30  days,  the classification requested by the person
25    shall be deemed granted.
26        Wetlands shall be classified as follows:
27             (1)  The Department shall classify a  wetland  as  a
28        Class IA Wetland if and only if:
29                  (A)  the wetland is or encompasses a bog;
30                  (B)  the wetland is or encompasses a fen;
31                  (C)  the wetland is or encompasses a panne;
32                  (D)  the  wetland  is  or encompasses a cypress
33             swamp;
34                  (E)  the wetland is or encompasses a Category I
 
                            -12-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1             Illinois Natural Areas Inventory Site, provided that
 2             the Department shall disclose within 5 working  days
 3             of  a  request  from  an  applicant,  a  prospective
 4             applicant,  or a qualified professional on behalf of
 5             an applicant or a prospective  applicant  whether  a
 6             site identified by latitude and longitude includes a
 7             Category I Illinois Natural Areas Inventory Site; or
 8                  (F)  a  threatened  or  endangered  species has
 9             been identified in the wetland.
10               (2)  The Department shall classify a wetland as  a
11        Class IB Wetland if and only if the wetland:
12                  (A)  is or encompasses an ADID site;
13                  (B)  is  or  encompasses a Category VI Illinois
14             Natural Area Inventory Site or regional  equivalent;
15             provided that the Department shall disclose within 5
16             working  days  of  a  request  from  an applicant, a
17             prospective applicant, or a  qualified  professional
18             on behalf of an applicant or a prospective applicant
19             whether  a site identified by latitude and longitude
20             includes  a  Category  VI  Illinois  Natural   Areas
21             Inventory Site; or
22                  (C)  has  a Floristic Quality Index (FQI) which
23             is equal to or greater than 20 or a mean coefficient
24             of conservatism (Mean C) equal to  or  greater  than
25             3.5,  determined in accordance with rules adopted by
26             the Department.
27               (3)  The Department shall classify a wetland as  a
28        Class  II  Wetland  if  and  only if the wetland is not a
29        Class I-A, Class I-B, or Class III wetland.
30               (4)  The Department shall classify a wetland as  a
31        Class III Wetland if and only if:
32                    (A)  the  wetland  is not a Class IA or Class
33             IB wetland; and
34                    (B)  the total size of the wetland, including
 
                            -13-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1             contiguous areas, is
 2                       (i)  less than 0.25 acre, or
 3                       (ii)  less than 0.5 acre if the wetland is
 4                  in a county that does  not  have  authority  to
 5                  establish a stormwater management program under
 6                  Section  5-1062  of  the  Counties Code and the
 7                  wetland is in agricultural land.
 8        (d)  Subject to the provisions of  Section  40  regarding
 9    general  permits,  no  person  may  conduct  or  cause  to be
10    conducted a regulated activity within or affecting a  wetland
11    in   such  a  manner  that  the  biological  or  hydrological
12    integrity of the wetland is impaired within the scope of this
13    Act, except in accordance with the  terms  of  an  individual
14    permit  issued  by the Department or authorization to proceed
15    as applicable under this Section.
16        (1)  Class IA Wetlands:
17                  (A)  A permit to conduct a  regulated  activity
18             affecting  a  Class  IA  wetland within the scope of
19             this  Act  shall  be  granted  if  documentation  is
20             submitted that demonstrates that complete  avoidance
21             of  impacts  to  the  Class IA wetland precludes all
22             economic use  of  the  entire  parcel  and  that  no
23             practicable   alternative  to  wetland  modification
24             exists.
25                  Based  upon   a   review   of   the   submitted
26             documentation and any other available resources, the
27             Department  shall make a determination as to whether
28             the  proposed  modification  represents  the   least
29             amount  of  wetland  impact  required  to restore an
30             economic use to the upland portion of the parcel.
31                  Wetland losses shall be mitigated at a ratio of
32             4.5:1 and shall be mitigated in kind and within  the
33             same  watershed  as  the impacted area restoring, to
34             the maximum degree practicable as determined by  the
 
                            -14-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1             Department,  both  the  type  and  functions  of the
 2             wetland that will  be  affected  by  the  regulatory
 3             activity.
 4                  The  Director,  for  good  cause shown and on a
 5             case-by-case  basis,  may  authorize  an  upward  or
 6             downward  departure  from   the   mitigation   ratio
 7             otherwise  required  under  this subdivision (d)(1),
 8             but for  a  Class  IA  wetland  the  Director  shall
 9             require  a  mitigation  ration  of  at least 4:1 and
10             shall not require a mitigation  ratio  greater  than
11             5:1.
12                  (B)  No  permit  under  this subdivision (d)(1)
13             may be issued by the  Department  without  a  public
14             notice and a public hearing.
15        (2)  Class IB Wetlands:
16                  (A)  A  permit  to conduct a regulated activity
17             affecting a Class IB wetland  within  the  scope  of
18             this  Act  shall  be  granted  if  documentation  is
19             submitted  that  demonstrates  that  no  practicable
20             alternative to wetland modification exists.
21                  Based   upon   a   review   of   the  submitted
22             documentation and any other available resources, the
23             Department shall make a determination as to  whether
24             the  proposed  modification  constitutes  the  least
25             amount  of  wetland impact practicable and whether a
26             permit should be granted.
27                  Wetland losses shall be mitigated at a ratio of
28             3:1 and shall be mitigated in kind  and  within  the
29             same  watershed as the impacted area, restoring both
30             the type and functions of the wetlands that will  be
31             affected by the regulated activity.
32                  The  Director,  for  good  cause shown and on a
33             case-by-case  basis,  may  authorize  an  upward  or
34             downward  departure  from   the   mitigation   ratio
 
                            -15-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1             otherwise  required  under  this subdivision (d)(2),
 2             but for  a  Class  IB  wetland  the  Director  shall
 3             require  a  mitigation  ration of at least 2.5:1 and
 4             shall not require a mitigation  ratio  greater  than
 5             3.5:1.
 6                  (B)  No  permit  under  this subdivision (d)(2)
 7             may be issued by the  Department  without  a  public
 8             notice  and  opportunity  for  public  hearing being
 9             afforded.   The  Department  shall  hold  a   public
10             hearing  concerning  a  permit  application  if  the
11             proposed activity may have a significant impact upon
12             wetland  resources  or  if the Department determines
13             that a public hearing is otherwise appropriate.
14        (3)  Class II Wetlands:
15                  (A)  A permit to conduct a  regulated  activity
16             affecting  a  Class  II  wetland within the scope of
17             this  Act  shall  be  granted  if  documentation  is
18             submitted   demonstrating   that    no    reasonable
19             alternative to wetland modification exists.
20                  Based   upon   a   review   of   the  submitted
21             documentation and any other available resources, the
22             Department shall make a determination as to  whether
23             the  proposed  modification  constitutes  the  least
24             amount  of  wetland impact practicable and whether a
25             permit should be granted.
26                  Wetland losses shall be mitigated at a ratio of
27             1.5:1 and shall be mitigated in kind and within  the
28             same  watershed as the impacted area, restoring both
29             the type and functions of the wetland that  will  be
30             affected by the regulated activity.
31                  (B)  No  permit  under  this subdivision (d)(3)
32             may be issued by the  Department  without  a  public
33             notice  and  opportunity  for  public  hearing being
34             afforded.   The  Department  shall  hold  a   public
 
                            -16-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1             hearing  concerning  a  permit  application  if  the
 2             proposed activity may have a significant impact upon
 3             wetland  resources  or  if the Department determines
 4             that a public hearing is otherwise appropriate.
 5        (4)  Class III Wetlands:
 6                  (A)  No regulated activity covered  under  this
 7             Act   that   will  impact  an  area  that  has  been
 8             classified as a Class III wetland may be  undertaken
 9             without prior notification to the Department.
10                  (B)  Such  notification  shall  include  (1)  a
11             sketch that reasonably depicts the area that will be
12             affected   by   the  regulated  activity,  including
13             wetland and water boundaries for the areas  affected
14             and  the  existing  land  uses and structures; (2) a
15             description of the proposed activity, including  its
16             purpose;  (3) a description of any public benefit to
17             be derived from the proposed project;  and  (4)  the
18             names   and  addresses  of  adjacent  landowners  as
19             determined by the current tax assessment rolls.
20                  (C)  Upon receipt of a notification of  intent,
21             the  Department  shall  verify  that  the  regulated
22             activity  will  affect  a wetland that it previously
23             classified as Class III.
24                  If the Department so verifies,  the  Department
25             shall send the person, within 30 days of the receipt
26             of  such  notification,  a response stating that the
27             regulated activity may proceed.
28                  If  the  Department  cannot  so   verify,   the
29             Department  shall send the person, within 30 days of
30             the receipt of such notification, a response stating
31             that  no  classification  has  been  made   by   the
32             Department,  or  that a Classification of IA, IB, or
33             II was made and that the regulated activity may  not
34             proceed   until  either  a  classification  is  made
 
                            -17-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1             pursuant to this Section, or a permit  is  obtained,
 2             as applicable.
 3                  Failure  of  the  Department  to  respond  to a
 4             notification shall be  deemed  an  authorization  to
 5             proceed.
 6                  (D)  No   permit   shall   be  required  for  a
 7             regulated activity covered under this Act that  will
 8             impact  an  area that has been classified as a Class
 9             III wetland.
10        (e)  Within  15  days  of  the  receipt   of   a   permit
11    application, the Department shall determine if an application
12    is  complete.   To  be  deemed  complete, an application must
13    provide  all  information,   as   requested   in   Department
14    application  forms,  sufficient  to evaluate the application.
15    Such information shall include, at a minimum: (1)  a  map  of
16    the  area  that  will  be affected by the activity, including
17    wetland and water boundaries for the areas affected  and  the
18    existing uses and structures.  Such information shall include
19    a  wetland  delineation  made  in  accordance  with  the  COE
20    Wetlands  Delineation  Manual, Technical Report Y-87-1; (2) a
21    description of the proposed activity, including its  purpose,
22    the  location  and  dimensions  of any structures, grading or
23    fills, drainage, roads,  sewers  and  water  supply,  parking
24    lots,  stormwater  facilities,  discharge  of pollutants, and
25    onsite waste  disposal;  (3)  a  description  of  any  public
26    benefit  to be derived from the proposed project; and (4) the
27    names and addresses of adjacent landowners as  determined  by
28    the current tax assessment rolls.  The Department application
29    forms shall be finalized and made available prior to the date
30    on  which  any application is required.  The Department shall
31    provide notice to the applicant as  to  whether  a  submitted
32    application  is complete.  Unless the Department notifies the
33    applicant that the application is incomplete within  20  days
34    of  receipt  of  the  application,  the  application shall be
 
                            -18-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    deemed  complete.   The  Department  may  request  additional
 2    information as needed to make the completeness determination.
 3    The Department may, to the extent  practicable,  provide  the
 4    applicant   with   a   reasonable   opportunity   to  correct
 5    deficiencies prior to a final determination of  completeness.
 6    Within 90 days from the receipt of a complete application for
 7    permit,  the Department shall either issue or deny the permit
 8    or issue it with conditions.  If a public hearing is held  on
 9    the application, however, this period shall be extended by 45
10    days.
11        (f)  The  Department shall not issue a permit pursuant to
12    this  Section  unless  the  Agency  has  certified  that  the
13    proposed activity will not cause or contribute to a violation
14    of any State water quality  standard.   The  Agency  will  be
15    deemed  to have certified that the proposed activity will not
16    cause or contribute to a violation of any State water quality
17    standard if it has not declined  in  writing  to  so  certify
18    within  80  days  of the filing of the application unless the
19    Agency  has  requested  that  the   applicant   supply   more
20    information  relevant  to assessing the water quality impacts
21    of the proposed activity.  If a public hearing is held on the
22    application, however, this period shall  be  extended  by  45
23    days.
24        (g)  A  person  may  submit  concurrent  requests for (i)
25    determination and delineation, (ii) classification, and (iii)
26    issuance of a permit or notification.  The  Department  shall
27    act on such combined requests concurrently in accordance with
28    expedited permitting procedures adopted by the Department.
29        (h)  Any   person   may  submit  an  application  for  an
30    after-the-fact permit to be issued under this  Act,  and  the
31    Department  is  authorized  to  issue  such an after-the-fact
32    permit if it determines that the activities  covered  by  the
33    after-the-fact   permit   application   were  undertaken  and
34    conducted in response to emergency circumstances where  there
 
                            -19-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    may  be an imminent threat to persons, public infrastructure,
 2    personal property, or uninterrupted utility service that made
 3    it  impracticable  for  the   applicant   to   obtain   prior
 4    authorization  under  this  Act to undertake and conduct such
 5    activities.  The applicant shall be required  to  demonstrate
 6    that  it  provided  notice to the Department of the emergency
 7    circumstances as soon as reasonably  possible  following  the
 8    discovery of such circumstances.
 9        (i)  The  Department  shall  adopt rules to carry out the
10    provisions of this Section in accordance with Section  45  of
11    this Act.

12        Section  35.  Surety.  The Department may provide by rule
13    for any requirements regarding bonds or letters of credit  in
14    favor of the State, including conditions sufficient to secure
15    compliance with conditions and limitations of a permit.

16        Section 40.  General permits.
17        (a)  Notwithstanding  Section  30, any person who intends
18    to conduct a regulated activity within the State may do so in
19    accordance with a general permit  issued  by  the  Department
20    under this Section.
21        (b)  Permits for all categories of activities, subject to
22    the  same  permit  limitations  and  conditions, that are the
23    subject of  a  nationwide  permit  issued  by  the  Corps  of
24    Engineers in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act,
25    are  adopted as general permits covering regulated activities
26    subject to this Act.
27        (c)  The Department may adopt  general  permits  covering
28    other  activities  that  would  be subject to the same permit
29    limitations  and  conditions,  if  it  determines  that   the
30    activities  in  such category will cause only minimal adverse
31    environmental effects when performed  separately,  will  have
32    only  minimal  cumulative  adverse effect on the environment,
 
                            -20-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    will not cause or contribute to a violation  of  State  water
 2    quality  standards  when  performed separately, and will have
 3    only a minimal cumulative adverse effect  on  water  quality.
 4    The  Department  may  prescribe best management practices for
 5    any general permit issued under this Section.  The Department
 6    shall  consider  any  optional  mitigation  proposed  by   an
 7    applicant    in   determining   whether   the   net   adverse
 8    environmental effects of a proposed  regulated  activity  are
 9    minimal.
10        Specifically,  the  Department must adopt general permits
11    for each of the following:
12             (1)  The construction or maintenance of access roads
13        for utility lines, substations or  related  equipment  or
14        facilities.
15             (2)  Activities  for  the  purpose of preserving and
16        enhancing  aviation  safety  or  to  prevent  an  airport
17        hazard.
18        (d)  No general permit adopted under this  Section  shall
19    be  for  a  period of more than 5 years after the date of its
20    issuance.  A general permit may be revoked or modified by the
21    Department if, after  opportunity  for  public  hearing,  the
22    Department  determines  that the activities authorized by the
23    general permit have an adverse  impact  on  the  environment,
24    cause  or  contribute  to  a violation of State water quality
25    standards, or are more appropriately authorized by individual
26    permits.
27        (e)  Compliance with the terms of a general permit  shall
28    be  deemed  compliance with the provisions of this Act if the
29    applicant (i) files a notice of intent to  be  covered  under
30    the  provisions  of  the  general  permit  in accordance with
31    regulations adopted pursuant to this Act and (ii)  files  any
32    reports required by the general permit.
33        (f)  The  Department  shall respond to a notice of intent
34    to proceed under a general permit issued under  this  Section
 
                            -21-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    within  30 days after the Department receives the notice.  In
 2    the event that the Department fails to respond to a notice of
 3    intent  to  proceed  within  30  days  as  required  by  this
 4    subsection (f), the person submitting  the  notice  shall  be
 5    deemed  fully  authorized to conduct the activities described
 6    in  the  notice  under  the  terms  and  conditions  of   the
 7    applicable general permit.

 8        Section 45.  Wetlands Advisory Committee; duties; rules
 9        (a)  There  is  hereby  established  a  Wetlands Advisory
10    Committee, which shall consist of 17 members appointed by the
11    Governor and 2 non-voting members.
12        The Committee shall include 5  members  representing  the
13    interests   of   business,   industry,   real   estate,   and
14    agriculture.
15        The  Committee  shall include 5 members selected from the
16    membership of environmental and conservation  groups  in  the
17    State.
18        The   Committee  shall  include  2  members  representing
19    counties  exercising  authority  under  Section   5-1062   or
20    5-1062.1   of  the  Counties  Code  to  establish  stormwater
21    management programs.
22        The  Committee  shall  include  one  member  representing
23    municipalities.
24        The  Committee  shall  include  one  member  representing
25    building trades unions.
26        The Committee shall include 3 other members as determined
27    by the Governor.
28        The  Director  of  Natural  Resources,  or  his  or   her
29    designee,  and  the  Director  of  the Illinois Environmental
30    Protection  Agency,  or  his  or  her  designee,   shall   be
31    non-voting members of the Committee.
32        The  Committee shall biannually elect from its membership
33    a Chair, who  shall  not  be  an  employee  of  the  Illinois
 
                            -22-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    Environmental Protection Agency or the Illinois Department of
 2    Natural Resources.
 3        Members of the Advisory Committee may organize themselves
 4    as they deem necessary and shall serve without compensation.
 5        The  Department  shall  provide  reasonable and necessary
 6    staff support to the Committee.
 7        (b)  Within 120 days after the  effective  date  of  this
 8    Act,  the  Committee shall recommend rules to the Department.
 9    From time to time the Committee shall review,  evaluate,  and
10    make  recommendations  (i)  regarding  State laws, rules, and
11    procedures that relate to this Act and (ii) relating  to  the
12    State's efforts to implement this Act.
13        (c)  Within  6  months  after  the effective date of this
14    Act,   the   Department,   after   consideration    of    the
15    recommendations of the Committee (or if the Committee for any
16    reason  has not made recommendations, the Department itself),
17    shall adopt  any  rules  required  by  this  Act  prescribing
18    procedures  and standards for its administration.  Nothing in
19    this Act shall preclude, at  any  time,  the  recommendation,
20    proposal, or adoption of any other rules deemed necessary for
21    the orderly implementation of this Act.
22        (d)  The  Committee  shall  develop  a plan for statewide
23    wetlands  protection  and  shall  submit  such  plan  to  the
24    Department.  The Department may seek to obtain  a  delegation
25    of COE authority under Section 404 of the federal Clean Water
26    Act for all wetlands in Illinois on or before July 1, 2007 in
27    accordance with Section 25 of this Act.
28        (e)  The   Committee   shall   assist   counties   having
29    stormwater  management  authority  under  Section  5-1062  or
30    5-1062.1  of  the  Counties Code in coordinating and unifying
31    stormwater  management  regulations   adopted   thereto,   as
32    required in Section 65(f) of this Act.

33        Section   50.  Appeal   of   final  Department  decision;
 
                            -23-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    judicial review.
 2        (a)  Any permit applicant who has been denied a permit in
 3    whole or in part, and any  person  who  participated  in  the
 4    permit  proceeding  and who is aggrieved by a decision of the
 5    Department to grant a permit in whole or in part, may  appeal
 6    the  decision  to  the  Director within 35 days of the permit
 7    grant or denial.  However, the 35-day period for appealing to
 8    the Director may be extended by the applicant for a period of
 9    time not to exceed 90 days by written notice provided to  the
10    Director.   In  all  such  appeals,  the burden of persuasion
11    shall be on the party appealing the Department's decision.
12        (b)  A person aggrieved by a final decision made pursuant
13    to this Act may seek judicial review of the decision pursuant
14    to the Administrative Review Law.

15        Section 55.  Investigation; enforcement.
16        (a)  In accordance with constitutional  limitations,  the
17    Department  shall  have  authority to enter at all reasonable
18    times upon any private or public property for the purpose  of
19    inspecting and investigating to ascertain possible violations
20    of  this  Act or of rules adopted hereunder, or of permits or
21    terms or conditions thereof.
22        (b)  The civil penalties provided for in this Section may
23    be recovered in a civil action which may be instituted  in  a
24    court of competent jurisdiction.  The State's Attorney of the
25    county  in  which  the  alleged  violation  occurred,  or the
26    Attorney General, may, at the request of the Department or on
27    his or her own motion, institute a civil action in a court of
28    competent jurisdiction to  recover  civil  penalties  and  to
29    obtain an injunction to restrain violations of the Act.
30        (c)  Any person who violates any provision of this Act or
31    any  rule  adopted  hereunder,  or  any  permit  or  term  or
32    condition thereof, shall be liable for a civil penalty of not
33    to exceed $10,000 per day of violation; such penalties may be
 
                            -24-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    made  payable  to  the  Wetlands Protection Fund and shall be
 2    deposited into that Fund as provided in subsection  (j).   In
 3    determining the appropriate civil penalty to be imposed under
 4    this Section, the Court is authorized to consider any matters
 5    of  record in mitigation or aggravation of penalty, including
 6    but not limited to the following factors:
 7             (1)  The duration and gravity of the violation.
 8             (2)  The presence or absence of due diligence on the
 9        part  of  the  violator  in  attempting  to  comply  with
10        requirements of this Act and rules adopted  hereunder  or
11        to secure relief therefrom as provided by this Act.
12             (3)  Any  economic  benefits accrued by the violator
13        through the violation.
14             (4)  The amount of monetary penalty which will serve
15        to deter  further  violations  by  the  violator  and  to
16        otherwise aid in enhancing voluntary compliance with this
17        Act  by  the violator and other persons similarly subject
18        to this Act.
19             (5)  The number, proximity in time, and  gravity  of
20        previously  adjudicated  violations  of  this  Act by the
21        violator.
22        (d)  Any violation of any provision of this  Act  or  any
23    rule  adopted  hereunder,  or any permit or term or condition
24    thereof, shall not be deemed a criminal offense.
25        (e)  All final orders imposing civil  penalties  pursuant
26    to  this Section shall prescribe the time for payment of such
27    penalties.  If any such penalty is not paid within  the  time
28    prescribed, interest on such penalty at the rate set forth in
29    subsection (a) of Section 1003 of the Illinois Income Tax Act
30    shall  be  paid  for  the period from the date payment is due
31    until the date payment is received.  However, if the time for
32    payment is stayed during the pendency of an appeal,  interest
33    shall not accrue during such stay.
34        (f)  The  Department may terminate a permit if the holder
 
                            -25-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    substantially violates any condition of the permit, obtains a
 2    permit by misrepresentation, or fails  to  disclose  relevant
 3    facts.
 4        (g)  The Attorney General, or the State's Attorney of the
 5    county  where  the affected wetland is located, may, upon his
 6    or  her  own  motion  or  upon  request  of  the  Department,
 7    institute a civil action in circuit court for  an  injunction
 8    or  other appropriate legal action to restrain a violation of
 9    this Act or of any rule  adopted  under  this  Act.   In  the
10    proceeding  the court shall determine whether a violation has
11    been committed or is likely to occur,  and  shall  enter  any
12    order  it  considers  necessary  to remove the effects of the
13    violation  and  to  prevent  the  violation  from  occurring,
14    continuing, or being renewed in the  future.   An  order  may
15    include  a requirement that the violator restore the affected
16    wetland area, including a provision  that,  if  the  violator
17    does  not comply by restoring the wetland within a reasonable
18    time, the Department may restore the wetland to its condition
19    prior to the violation and the violator shall  be  liable  to
20    the Department for the cost of restoration.
21        (h)  Any penalty assessed pursuant to this Act, including
22    costs of wetland restoration and any restoration requirement,
23    shall be recorded by the clerk of the court as a lien against
24    the  land  and shall not be removed until the penalty is paid
25    or the restoration is completed.
26        (i)  All costs, fees, and expenses in connection with  an
27    enforcement  or  restoration  action  shall  be  assessed  as
28    damages against the violator.
29        (j)  All  penalties collected under this Section shall be
30    deposited into the Wetlands Protection Fund.
31        (k)  Enforcement  actions  under  this  Section  may   be
32    concurrent or separate.

33        Section 60.  Fees.
 
                            -26-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1        (a)  Within  90 days after the effective date of this Act
 2    the  Department  shall  propose  to  the  Illinois  Pollution
 3    Control Board, and within 6 months of receiving that proposal
 4    the Board shall adopt by rule:
 5             (1)  a  minimal  processing  fee  for   notification
 6        regarding  Class III Wetlands and for processing a notice
 7        of intent to proceed under a general permit; and
 8             (2)  a schedule of permit fees for single  regulated
 9        activities in Class IA, Class IB, and Class II wetlands.
10        (b)  These  fees  shall  be  set at levels that allow the
11    wetlands program to operate financially on a  self-sustaining
12    basis.   The  Department  shall  annually  review the fees to
13    determine  whether  the   wetlands   program   is   operating
14    financially  on  a  self-sustaining basis, and it may propose
15    any necessary changes in the fees to the  Illinois  Pollution
16    Control Board.

17        Section 65. County authority.
18        (a)  Nothing  in this Act preempts or denies the right of
19    any governmental body with a  stormwater  management  program
20    under  Section  5-1062  of  the  Counties  Code to control or
21    regulate activities in any wetlands within  the  jurisdiction
22    of the governmental body.
23        (b)  Upon  the  request  of  a  governmental  body with a
24    stormwater management program under  Section  5-1062  of  the
25    Counties Code, the Director shall, within 30 calendar days of
26    receiving  the  request, provide a letter recognizing whether
27    the governmental body's stormwater management program:
28             (1)  provides wetlands  protection  consistent  with
29        the intent of this Act; and
30             (2)  has  an  administration  and qualified staff to
31        implement the governmental body's  stormwater  management
32        program.
33        (b-5)  After  consultation with the Department of Natural
 
                            -27-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1    Resources, the General Assembly finds and declares  that  the
 2    stormwater  management  programs implemented by DuPage, Lake,
 3    and Kane Counties under Section 5-1062 of the Counties  Code,
 4    as  they  exist  at the time of the passage of this Act, meet
 5    the requirements of subsection (b), and therefore they  shall
 6    be  deemed  to  have  received recognition and approval under
 7    that subsection without further action by the Department.
 8        (c)  Activities within or affecting wetlands  that  occur
 9    within  the  jurisdiction  of  a  governmental  body  with  a
10    stormwater  management  program  under  Section 5-1062 of the
11    Counties Code  that  meets  the  provisions  of  subdivisions
12    (b)(1)  and  (b)(2)  of  this  Section  are  exempt  from the
13    requirements  of  this  Act,  but  must  meet  those   county
14    stormwater  management  requirements,  at  a  minimum.   This
15    exemption also applies during the period that the  Department
16    is  considering  a county's request under subsection (b), but
17    the requirements of this Act do apply until  the  county  has
18    requested recognition under subsection (b), unless the county
19    has  received immediate recognition under subsection (b-5) of
20    this Section.
21        (d)  The Director may rescind recognition status  in  the
22    event that the governmental body with a stormwater management
23    program  under  Section 5-1062 of the Counties Code no longer
24    meets the provisions of subdivisions  (b)(1)  and  (b)(2)  of
25    this Section.
26        (e)  A  governmental  body  with  a stormwater management
27    program under Section 5-1062 of the Counties  Code  that  has
28    obtained  recognition by the Director under subsection (b) of
29    this Section shall submit an annual report to the Director.
30        (f)  Counties having authority under  Section  5-1062  of
31    the  Counties  Code  to adopt a stormwater management program
32    shall seek with the assistance of the  Northeastern  Illinois
33    Planning  Commission  to  coordinate  and  unify  regulations
34    adopted pursuant thereto.
 
                            -28-     LRB093 04535 EFG 17195 a
 1        (g)  Nothing   in  this  Act  shall  be  construed  as  a
 2    limitation or preemption of any home rule power.

 3        Section  70.  Wetlands  Protection  Fund.  All  fees  and
 4    penalties collected by the Department pursuant  to  this  Act
 5    shall  be  deposited into the Wetlands Protection Fund, which
 6    is hereby created as a special fund in  the  State  Treasury.
 7    In  addition  to any moneys that may be appropriated from the
 8    General Revenue Fund, the  Illinois  General  Assembly  shall
 9    appropriate  moneys  in  the  Wetlands Protection Fund to the
10    Department in amounts deemed necessary to implement this Act.

11        Section 95.  The State Finance Act is amended  by  adding
12    Section 5.595 as follows:

13        (30 ILCS 105/5.595 new)
14        Sec. 5.595.  The Wetlands Protection Fund.

15        Section  97.  Severability.   The  provisions of this Act
16    are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

17        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect  upon
18    becoming law.".