News From

State Representative Ron Stephens

For Immediate Release: March 12, 2008

Contact: Rep. Stephens

618-651-0405

Rep. Stephens encourages Governor to release funds for SWCD

Springfield…. Representative Ron Stephens (R-Highland) and a group of colleagues encouraged the Governor to release the remaining $5.75 million allocated to the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget on Tuesday.

In a letter addressed to the Governor, the lawmakers thanked him for releasing $1.7 million of the total budgeted $7.4 million, but added that the remaining $5.75 million needed to be issued soon in order to prevent massive lay-offs and district facility closures.

“It is vital to the safety of our water supplies that the Soil and Water Conservation Districts receive the funding needed to run their facilities,” Rep. Stephens said. “The jobs of many people are on the line, and we must make sure that they get the money promised to them to keep their departments going.”

Illinois has 98 SWCDs, which employ approximately 250 people. These conservation districts act as the frontline in protecting Illinois rivers, streams and other water sources against contamination. The state funding is also necessary in order for the districts to receive federal assistance. In order for $250 million in funds to be released through the federal farm bill and other sources, the state must issue the promised $7.4 million.

With the minimal funding they currently have, several SWCDs have already begun to reduce staff time to 30 hours or less in a last ditch effort to keep their facilities going. Aside from impacting the lives of the affected employees, it creates a possible danger to Illinois’ water sources. Without the funding, over half of the districts would be forced to consider closing their doors by mid-June.

“We are urging the Governor to continue his support of the state’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts,” Rep. Stephens said. “The money that remains to be issued from the state is a small amount in relation to the money that will be issued from the federal government once our part is paid. We need to make sure this funding gets issued and issued soon.”

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