HR0019 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0019 LRB096 02972 RLJ 12986 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois ranks in the bottom third of states in the U.S. in the acquisition of land for parks, recreation and habitat; and

WHEREAS, Illinois ranks last by a wide margin among Midwestern states in acres protected per capita with only one percent of protected state-owned recreation land; and

WHEREAS, Land prices continue to rise and development pressures mount making the need for protecting open space more acute; and

WHEREAS, The quantity of water supplied by aquifers, inland streams, and Lake Michigan is limited and land conservation provides water recharge and stream buffering providing for the protection of drinking water resources; and

WHEREAS, Outdoor recreation contributes to a healthy lifestyle for the State's youth and adults alike, and young people need more access to safe, rewarding outdoor experiences to combat the growing epidemic of childhood obesity; and

WHEREAS, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has called for the creation of more parks and playgrounds to counteract childhood obesity; and

WHEREAS, Parks and natural areas contribute to increased property values of neighboring properties; and

WHEREAS, Native Illinois wildlife populations have declined precipitously, and currently Illinois has 424 State and 24 federally listed threatened and endangered species; and

WHEREAS, Natural habitats have been shown to improve air quality; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has lost more than 90% of its original wetlands and 99% of it original open prairie and it is critical to take steps now to protect the remaining acreage; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois State Wildlife Action Plan has won national recognition but remains underfunded; and

WHEREAS, Illinois parks and natural areas generate 42,000 jobs and create recreational opportunities for all Illinois citizens; and

WHEREAS, Hunting, fishing, and wildlife associated recreation currently generates nearly $4,200,000,000 in economic activity in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Voters have given overwhelming support to local referenda for land acquisition and public opinion polls show 92% of the public registering support for the State preserving open space and wildlife habitat; and

WHEREAS, According to the most recent Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2003-2008, more than $3,000,000,000 in State and local funding is necessary to, protect an additional 85,000 acres across the State, for renovation and restoration projects in existing parks and for new public recreation facilities; and

WHEREAS, Land acquisition is a capital intensive investment; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize that current funding for open space is severely lacking; that capital budgets have traditionally provided resources for land acquisition, stewardship, and public recreational opportunities; that the value of parks and natural areas in protecting Illinois from flooding, improving water quality, generating economic activity, and improving public health is without question; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the Governor to present a capital budget that includes $100,000,000 on an annual basis for the Illinois Special Places Acquisition, Conservation and Enhancement (iSPACE) Program, which includes the following:

(1) a new statewide land acquisition program to protect the State's most precious natural resources and provide recreational opportunities, including matching grants to local governments;

(2) implementation of the Partners for Conservation Program (formerly Conservation 2000) through land acquisition and management grants; and

(3) implementation of the Hunting Heritage Protection Act by increasing the amount of land acreage available for hunting opportunities in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution, be presented to the Speaker of the House of Representative, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Director of Natural Resources, and the Governor.