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91_HB2605
LRB9103930DHmgA
1 AN ACT to create the Illinois River-Friendly Farmer
2 Program Act.
3 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
4 represented in the General Assembly:
5 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois
6 River-Friendly Farmer Program Act.
7 Section 5. Program established. The Department of
8 Agriculture shall establish the Illinois River-Friendly
9 Farmer Program to recognize farmers helping to protect and
10 enhance the State's rivers.
11 Section 10. Purposes. The program is intended to promote
12 farming practices that benefit rivers while maintaining farm
13 profitability and to inform the public about farmers'
14 contributions to cleaning up of the rivers of Illinois.
15 Section 15. Program criteria. Farmers who satisfy all
16 of the following criteria applicable to their operations may
17 be designated River-friendly farmers:
18 (1) All crop land has 30% surface residue coverage
19 after planting, as a rotation average. (Alternatively,
20 equivalent sediment control can be provided from measures
21 such as field windbreaks, contour farming, buffer strips,
22 terraces, strip cropping, filter strips, and including
23 hay in the crop rotation.)
24 (2) Soil loss on highly erodible land is at or
25 below the tolerable soil loss level.
26 (3) Fertilizer application rates are based on soil
27 testing, manure testing, realistic yield goals, and
28 credits from previous legume crops and manure
29 applications.
-2- LRB9103930DHmgA
1 (4) Statewide and applicable regional best
2 management practices for nitrogen, as recommended by the
3 Department, are observed.
4 (5) Liquid manure is injected, or incorporated
5 within 48 hours of surface application.
6 (6) Within 300 feet of surface waters, drainage
7 ditches, tile intakes, and other areas needing special
8 protection, manure is applied in a manner that minimizes
9 contamination according to Department guidelines.
10 (7) Pesticides are used together with cultural
11 pest-control practices, at no higher than labeled rates,
12 observing guidelines for water quality protection
13 (atrazine setback distances, for example). Containers
14 are stored, handled, and disposed of in accordance with
15 State and federal law.
16 (8) Overall, the farm is profitable and productive
17 as compared to surrounding farms in the region.
18 Section 20. Rules. The Department of Agriculture shall
19 adopt rules to implement and administer this Act.