Environmental Progress - Winter-Spring 2004

Illinois Watersheds Nominated For Federal Funding

Grants would protect state's agriculture and fight Gulf "dead zone"

To help address "Gulf Hypoxia," the so-called Gulf of Mexico "dead zone", Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has nominated two major Illinois watersheds and an interstate segment of the Middle Mississippi River watershed as contenders for federal funding. The funding would be used to reduce farm chemical washoff from farm fields in agricultural states including Illinois. This will benefit both Illinois farmers and waterways.

The nominations of the Kaskaskia River, the Upper Sangamon watersheds and the Mississippi River segment that borders Illinois and Missouri were submitted to the U.S. EPA for consideration under a federal Watershed Initiative program, which could provide grants up to $1.3 million each for efforts that target short term environmental results and demonstrate the potential for long term maintenance. Illinois is one of 31 states that drain to the Mississippi River and the Gulf.

The "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico is a national problem caused by an excess of farm nutrients, primarily from fertilizer applied to farm fields and then washed off by rains. These nutrients are then carried to the Gulf by the Mississippi River and have been blamed for the existence of a large and growing area in the Gulf that supports no aquatic life.

The Governor noted that both the Upper Sangamon and the Middle Mississippi proposals support pollution trading that would provide economic benefits to Illinois agriculture by more effective use of crop nutrients, particularly nitrogen. While these nutrients increase crop yields, excess amounts that are not taken up by crops can be washed by rain and snow melt into rivers and streams where they promote the growth of algae that harms aquatic plants and animals by using the oxygen they need to survive.

Gov. Blagojevich's nominations seek $1,289,904 for the Upper Sangamon River watershed that includes more than 900 square miles in seven counties above Lake Decatur in central Illinois; $819,300 for the Kaskaskia River watershed, the largest watershed lying entirely within Illinois; and $1,293,087 for the Middle Mississippi project. This project would involve only "batture" lands — unprotected lands inside levees along the Mississippi in both Missouri and Illinois. These areas suffered the most serious damage during the 500-Year Flood in 1993.

Applicants were limited to two intrastate projects, in addition to an unlimited number of interstate projects.

The current federal proposed budget would provide approximately $21 million for the U.S. EPA Watershed Initiative program that is now in its second year. In announcing the call for nominations, U.S. EPA identified the Gulf Hypoxia issue and an emphasis on market-based approaches, as carrying particular weight in determining which projects will be funded. Gov. Blagojevich's nominations note that both these goals are significant parts of the Upper Sangamon and the Middle Mississippi watershed proposals.

Crop production accounts for approximately 87 percent of the land use in the Upper Sangamon River watershed and extensive use of tile drainage in the watershed has been identified as providing agricultural benefits but is also a source for erosion and nutrient losses.

The 292-mile long Kaskaskia River impacts 22 Illinois counties. Agricultural use, both row crops and livestock production, make up 82 percent of its use but the watershed also contains the largest contiguous hardwood forest in the state.

Typical awards are expected to range from $300,000 to $1,300,000. U.S. EPA will evaluate nominated projects on their innovation, measurable environmental results, broad support from representative interests, comprehensive outreach efforts and financial integrity.