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Funding cut would shutter SWCD offices

The latest round of program suspensions announced by the Governor of Illinois includes funding to Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).

“If our funding is suspended and cut again in Fiscal Year ’16 this could mean that Districts would have to close their doors and no longer offer some of those programs and assistance they give to landowners to help implement conservation practices in each county,” said Kelly Thompson, Executive Director of the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

The Governor’s latest announcement is on top of the $18,000 cut that each district suffered a year ago.

Thompson says it’s disheartening, when you consider the work SWCD’s do across Illinois.

“Conservation is so important, it’s so important to Illinois, especially with this Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy coming out in the fall,” Thompson said. “It’s so important that Districts are there and have a presence in each county and can help those landowners and farmers and work with the NRCS to put BMPs on the land.”

The AISWCD is hoping legislators will get to work and pass a budget that keeps SWCD funding in place.

Audio: Kelly Thompson, Executive Director, AISWCD