Page 41 2024 Logan County Spring Farm Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS March 2024 the NLRS and its implementation. Tibbs also shared that farmers can read blogs about the NLRS by going to the Illinois Extension page on nutrient loss reduction by going to https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/ nutrient-loss-reduction. He further directed farmers to the Illinois Extension podcast that covers topics relating to the Illinois NLRS. You can access that podcast by going to https://extension.illinois.edu/nlr/podcast. The other main nonpoint source that the Illinois NLRS keeps track of is what is referred to as the “Urban Stormwater Sector.” According to the 2023 report, “stormwater runoff is rainfall and snowmelt flowing over land and impervious surfaces, such as roads and sidewalks, that do not soak into the ground.” The 2023 report goes on to state that this water source is another source of pollutants such as phosphorus and nitrogen. It does, however, state that this sector’s contribution to nutrient runoff is small when compared to other sectors. Like with the agricultural sector, there are several ways in which people can contribute to nutrient loss reduction. These practices include sediment basins, structures for water control, trees, porous pavement, rain gardens, urban filter strips, and woodland management. Again, like with the agricultural sector, the Illinois EPA has a grant program to help fund these practices. The Section 319 Grant Program is a national program under the Clean Water Act. The federal government gives states a certain amount of money to fund programs, which the Illinois EPA can then distribute to local governments and other organizations to fund projects aimed at addressing water quality at nonpoint sources. It should be noted that the maximum amount of funding a project can receive is 60 percent of its total cost. You can apply for a Section 319 Grant through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal at https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/. While phosphorus and nitrogen levels are on the rise, the Illinois NLRS is doing what it can to help educate and fund Illinois residents, farmers, and water treatment facilities in programs aimed at reducing these pollutants. It is going to take contributions by everyone to help ensure phosphorus and nitrogen levels can be decreased by 45 percent. [Matt Boutcher Lincoln Daily News] Continued --
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzExODA=