OUR NATURAL RESOURCES NEWS BRIEFS
DNR's Approved $ 522M Budget Includes Major Initiatives
The legislature approved a $522 million budget for the Department of Natural Resources before it adjourned its spring session. Below are some highlights:
Approved Governor Edgar's $30 million initiative in the Capital Development Board budget to construct a new central headquarters in Springfield to improve DNR's public services and expand outdoor educational programs.
Approved the continuation of the governor's Conservation 2000 initiative with $10.2 million in new funds for continued development of Site M, support through grants and technical assistance to 30 local partnerships throughout the state, and expansion of the volunteer Ecowatch network.
Approved $5 million to help restore and preserve the Illinois River Watershed. The funds are part of a historic agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide $459 million to the watershed during the next 15 years to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, improve water quality and enhance fish and wildlife populations through incentives to private landowners. The program is part of the Edgar Administration's river restoration and protection efforts led by Lt. Gov. Bob Kustra.
Approved $1.5 million as recommended by Governor Edgar for ecosystem preservation and land acquisition in the Kankakee River Basin.
Approved Governor Edgar's initiative to provide $10 million in grants for capital improvements to expand museum facilities statewide, part of a five-year, $50 million commitment. The plan also includes another $5 million in the coming fiscal year to create education technology partnerships between museums and school throughout the state.
Approved a $4 million governor's initiative to provide a new state-of-the-art visitor and education center at the Cache River State Natural Area, which contains wetlands of international significance.
Approved $3.8 million initiative proposed by the governor to construct 34 new miles of the Tunnel Hill State Trail from Harrisburg to Karnak. Construction of a 10-mile trail segment from Vienna to Tunnel Hill began last year.
Approved $3.3 million in CDB's budget to improve wildlife habitat and recreational services at the 1,044-acre Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area in southeastern Vermilion County. Governor Edgar dedicated the site last year and initiated the planned improvements.
Approved $7.7 million as proposed by Governor Edgar to continue renovation of the Chicago River, Navy Pier and inner Chicago Harbor to help control leakage from Lake Michigan through the Chicago Harbor basin.
Approved $800,000 recommended by Governor Edgar to begin planning for replacement of the Illinois State Museum, which has outgrown its current facilities in Springfield. The budget also includes $5.5 million to upgrade exhibits at the museum.
Approved $4.1 million for natural areas acquisition, an increase of $1.2 million. The increase from the governor's introduced budget is a result of increased finds flowing into the state's checkbook from the real estate transfer tax, which supports the find.
Approved $17.7 million for park grants to local governments, an increase of $3 million from the governor's introduced budget. The increase also is a result of the real estate transfer tax windfall.
Approved $10 million for a visitor center and office facilities, site development and land acquisition at Tri-County Park in Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties.
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