(BLOOMINGTON) The Illinois Farm Bureau issued an action request on the Wetlands Protection Act yesterday, as the legislation is expected to receive a vote in the Illinois House very soon. The request is urging Farm Bureau ACT members to ask their state representatives to vote against the wetlands legislation, which is House Bill 3596. If approved, the bill would create a state-level permitting program allowing the Illinois DNR to regulate wetlands of all sizes, such as dry land capable of supporting vegetation larger than one-tenth of an acre. The legislation would also prohibit the discharge of dredged or fill material into a state-jurisdictional wetland without a permit and impose steep civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violations. Farm Bureau members throughout the state can learn more online at the ilfb.org website.
