Lower Sangamon River RC&D Goals & Objectives

The goals and objectives were determined from the review of existing plans and input from representatives of each of the six counties.

* Protect and improve our soil and water resources through concentrated efforts to reduce all types of soil erosion.
Objective 1: Complete inventory of erosion and sediment control needs.
Objective 2: Inventory and update urban erosion and sediment control ordinances.
Objective 3: Pursue funding for erosion control and stream bank stabilization efforts.
Objective 4: Increase the percent of cropland managed under a Resource
                    Management System (RMS) to 50%.
Objective 5: Develop Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data layers to help
                    inventory and track progress.
Objective 6: Provide educational opportunities and materials to the public on the
                    importance of land conservation and the availability of conservation
      programs for controlling erosion and sedimentation.

* Ensure quantity and quality of water.
Objective 1: Develop Rural Water Districts
Find grants or possible funding sources for development.
Secure training on setting up a rural water district.
Educate public on benefits of the district.
Objective 2: Subsidize water testing
Educate public on benefits of testing private drinking water.
Advertise water testing as a way to improve drinking water quality.
Help minimize private hook-up expense, through effective planning and design of the rural water supply system.

* Promote use of Best Management Practices (BMP's) to protect water quality.
Objective 1: Use BMP's to protect existing private wells.
Objective 2: Use BMP's to protect rural water district supplies.
Use the Conservation Reserve Program for water supply protection.
Use setback zones for water supply protection.
Encourage citizens to protect and conserve, both surface and groundwater supplies.

* Reduce flood damage to communities.
Objective 1: Promote use of water retention basins to reduce flooding.
Use large-scale basins for flood control and sediment trapping in the lower portion of the watershed.
Use small-scale basins in the upper reaches of the watershed.
Objective 2: Coordinate Lake Springfield water management with flood protection
                    needs of downstream communities and property owners.
Objective 3: Utilize Federal funding sources such as PL-566 to reduce downstream
    flooding.
Continue work on projects such as the Lake Taylorville Sediment Basin project.
Install additional basins near other upstream lakes.

* Reduce flood damage on agricultural land.
Objective 1: Promote use of water retention basins to reduce flooding
Objective 2: Promote the restoration of vital floodplain lands.
Work to restore funding base to the CREP program.
Promote the use of WRP funds to restore wetlands.

* Maintain or improve surface water quality.
Objective 1: Increase public awareness campaign for water protection.
Promote filter strips, basins, ponds, field tile and other practices.
Promote Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Objective 2: Promote all other BMP's, which protect surface water.

* Maintain or improve groundwater quality.
Objective 1: Create public awareness campaign for groundwater quality protection.
Objective 2: Promote all BMP's, which protect or improve groundwater quality.
Objective 3: Utilize existing groundwater studies to inform the public of groundwater
    status and the impacts of human activities on groundwater quality.

* Improve access to basic goods and services in all areas, particularly in under-served areas.
Objective 1: Identify under-served areas and work to promote business development
    activities that will increase basic goods and services availability.

* Limit population out-migration from rural communities.
Objective1: Strive to increase job opportunities and improve the quality of life in rural
                    communities.

* Capitalize on local assets to increase and further develop tourism
     destinations.
     Objective 1: Conduct an asset inventory of existing and potential tourism
                          destinations and seek out assistance to develop, enhance and market
                          these destinations.

* Improve recreational and cultural facilities and activities.
Objective1: Work with communities and organizations to identify, improve or
                         enhance cultural and recreational facilities, events and other assets
 
 

©2004, Lower Sangamon River RC&D.  USDA, NRCS and RC&D are equal opportunity employers and providers. Maintained by LSRRCD. Hosted by Illinois RC&D.