
				Pat Quinn, Governor

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Environmental Progress - Spring 1996

Ten Clean Lakes Applications Under Final Review

Applicants seek grants aimed at diagnosing and improving water quality.

In December 1995, the Illinois EPA received 10 final applications for Illinois Clean Lakes Program assistance grants. Eight applicants requested Phase I diagnostic/feasibility study grants, and two sought funding for Phase II assistance to implement programs already designed.

The 10 applications requested nearly $95,000 in state funds, and came to almost $1.75 million in total project costs. Because only $290,000 in grant funds will be available during Fiscal Year 1996, only four or five applicants will likely receive assistance.

Financial assistance agreements were readied for signature by successful applicants on April 1, 1996, and monitoring projects are expected to begin in early May.

Three types of grants - Phase I and Phase II and Lake Quality Maintenance Program (LQMP) grants - are authorized under the Illinois Clean Lakes Program:

Phase I diagnostic/feasibility study grants identify problems, list sources of pollution and develop courses of action. Typical study periods require about two years.

Phase I grants are awarded on a 60/40 basis, with federal/state funding providing 60 percent of the total and local applicants 40 percent. Phase II and LQMP grants are awarded on a 50/50 basis.

Applications are ranked by three primary factors, including assessment of a lake's overall water quality, its potential for water quality improvement and public benefits.

Additional information can be obtained from Gregg Good, at 217-782-3362.