Momentum Building For New Conservation Funding
Nice column in the Southern Illinoisan today on iSPACE - the Illinois Special Places Acquisition, Conservation, and Enhancement proposal for $100 million annually in conservation land acquisition and management funding.
Les Winkeler writes:
"Illinois is ranked last among Midwestern states in state-owned protected lands. And, with the state's recent economic downturn, funding for land acquisition has decreased about 80 percent over the past few years.
The current legislation, co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Bost and Brandon Phelps, calls for $100 million in new funding. The funding would be designated for land acquisition, provide management grants and support the implementation of the Hunting Heritage Protection Act."
Thursday the House adopted a resolution sponsored by State Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago) supporting iSPACE, and the Senate adopted an identical resolution sponsored by State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) last week. The House resolution has 70 co-sponsors.
Historically, Illinois only has funded new conservation initiatives as a component of larger capital spending plans. Support has been strong from city, suburban, and downstate members who see different open space and outdoor recreation needs in their districts. It remains to be seen whether there will be a capital budget approved this summer, but if there is, hopefully a consensus is emerging that our green infrastructure, and our obligation to future generations, is indeed a crucial capital need of the state.
3 comments:
Saying Illinois is last among Midwestern states in state-owned land echoes the argument those who wish to raise the state income tax for schools have been making.
What is the ranking once public land owned by the federal and local governments is included?
Are we in the middle of the pack among the states, as we are in education funding?
If not, where does Illinois rank?
Cal -
It's a good question, but I don't think the answer would fundamentally change the story.
We are in the bottom 10 of states in terms of federal public open space. We have the Shawnee National Forest in the southern tip of the state, and the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, which is being restored south of Joliet. The map shows several National Wildlife Refuges, but in most cases federal dollars haven't been allocated to buy much land for these.
Most importantly, there doesn't appear to be any help from Washington on the way anytime soon to protect our last forests, prairies, and wetlands. It really is up to the state and local governments to decide how much we want to pass on to the future.
Illinois is last among midwestern states yet we propose to give away already established conservation ground in Pinckneyville. How does this make sense?
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