SB 771 Wetland Bill in Senate Judiciary Committee this Afternoon – IFCA Requesting You Oppose
Today IFCA was informed SB 771 (Sen. Laura Ellman) re-introduced an amendment to the Wetland Protection Act. This legislation would tremendously affect farming practices in Illinois. This legislation is stemming from the United States Supreme Court ruling on WOTUS. There will be a hearing today in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 3:30pm. IFCA is asking all members to reach out to any committee members to oppose SB 771.
To find a list of Senate Judiciary members, please click here.
IFCA has put together a list of talking points as to why we are opposed to this legislation:
- The proposed legislation would reverse this Supreme Court ruling for farmers and agribusinesses in Illinois by placing the waters and wetlands that were excluded from regulation under the CWA under the purview of Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
- It would require farmers, small agribusinesses businesses, and others to get a permit from DNR for certain activities impacting these waterways.
- A new system of classifications of streams and wetlands, a new permitting process, and the complexities and uncertainties with determining what waterways are covered and compliance with this law’s provisions will have a negative effect on economic growth and development in rural IL.
- Farmers and agribusinesses wishing to diversify their operations, construct certain types of new livestock facilities, or even apply certain necessary pesticides will now have these efforts slowed or stymied by these additional hurdles.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please reach out to KJ Johnson at the IFCA office.