Watershed Management

Facility Evaluation Unit

The Facility Evaluation Unit of the Watershed Management Section administers regulatory programs concerning:

• Containment of pesticides and fertilizers at agrichemical facilities
• Livestock waste management
• Non-coal mining facilities
• Section 401 water quality certification under the Clean Water Act for the dredge and fill program.

The Section's primary administrative responsibility for these facilities is to conduct reviews and issue approvals of applications. The water pollution control facilities and water quality impacts of the proposed activities or facilities are reviewed to determine if the proposed activity or facility will comply with the applicable water pollution and associated regulations.

Agrichemical facility permit applications are reviewed in coordination with the Illinois Department of Agriculture's agrichemical containment permit program. NPDES permit applications are reviewed and NPDES permits issued for livestock waste facilities and non-coal mine operations. State permit applications are reviewed and approved for construction and operation of non-coal mining facilities and sediment containment facilities used in dredging operations. Applications are reviewed and water quality certifications issued for projects requiring Section 404 permits from the Corps of Engineers for activities involving the placement of materials into waters of the state. Projects in Lake Michigan are also reviewed and permits are required through a joint permit with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources.

The Section reviews tax certification applications for livestock waste handling facilities and agrichemical containment facilities to determine if the facilities qualify as pollution control facilities under the Illinois Property Tax Code.