TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.10 PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
Section 1523.10 Program
Objective
The Ecosystems Program of
Conservation 2000 ("Ecosystems Program") was developed by the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources to establish and protect a system of
representative, functioning ecosystems in both public and private ownership.
The Ecosystems Program provides technical, policy, administrative and financial
assistance to Ecosystem Partnerships that are watershed or ecosystem based
coalitions of individuals and organizations that are cooperating to improve the
natural resource base of the watersheds where they live, work, and play, while
promoting compatible and sustainable economic activity. It is the objective of
the Ecosystems Program to promote the formation of these Ecosystem Partnerships.
Adoption of bylaws is the most important foundation upon which each Ecosystem
Partnership is built. It is the intent of the Department that each Ecosystem
Partnership execute the responsibilities contained in this Part through an open
and democratic process that provides an opportunity for broad participation of
interested groups and individuals representing a cross section of geographic
areas. Ecosystem Partnerships are encouraged to seek and gain non-profit
status to be legally recognized. The Ecosystem Program promotes habitat
preservation, restoration and enhancement of natural ecosystems within the
context of the human environment. The mission of the Ecosystems Program is to
monitor, maintain, enhance and restore the biodiversity and ecological
conditions of Illinois' landscapes through local partnerships.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
 | TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.20 DEFINITIONS
Section 1523.20 Definitions
"Best
Management Practices (BMPs)" include a broad range of conservation
practices that individually or in combination help to reduce or prevent adverse
impacts to the landscape or ecosystem.
"Comprehensive
Environmental Review Process (CERP)" means the internal process used by the
Department to review its actions, including funding of grants or projects, to
insure the greatest protection of all natural and cultural resources to the
extent possible and for compliance with Illinois and federal environmental
statutes regarding the protection of vulnerable natural or cultural resources,
including but not limited to, natural areas, wetlands, threatened and
endangered species, and archeological sites.
"Conservation
2000 Administrator" means the Ecosystems Division Administrator charged
with the responsibility for the development of policy, management and
administration of Conservation 2000 for the Department.
"Department"
means the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
"Director"
means Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, or his designee.
"Ecosystem Administrator "
means a regional Department staff person who is the primary contact to an
Ecosystem Partnership.
"Ecosystem
Partnership " means a coalition of individuals and organizations,
designated by the Director, who work cooperatively to promote habitat
preservation, restoration and enhancement of natural ecosystems within the
context of the human environment. The term partnership does not meet the legal
criteria of a partnership as defined in the Uniform Partnership Act [805 ILCS
205].
"Ecosystem
Partnership Area" means the area within the boundaries of a designated
Ecosystem Partnership as requested by and on record with the Department.
"Ecosystem
Partnership Support Grant" means a grant made to Ecosystem Partnerships to
provide funding to help with expenses incurred in the areas of maintenance,
education, communication and administration.
"Ecosystem Project
Grants " means competitively funded projects designed to protect, enhance
or restore biodiversity of ecosystems, in a manner that is compatible with
economic development and sustainable land use practices within specific
Ecosystem Partnership Areas within the following criteria :
"Habitat
Grant" means a category of grant that will result in the installation of
land and water management, creation, restoration and enhancement practices that
promote increased biodiversity or improved ecological functions. These practices
should follow the Program Guidance, be based upon habitat restoration
literature or commonly used habitat restoration practices, have long-term
ecological benefits, and be as self-sustaining as possible.
"Land
Acquisition/Easement Grant" means a category of grant that will result in
30 year/perpetual easements and fee simple acquisitions that protect habitat
and restore ecosystem functions.
"Outreach/Education
Grant" means a category of grant that will result in projects that reach a
target audience, informing them of the importance of or techniques used in the
restoration, preservation, and/or management of ecosystems and biodiversity.
"Planning
Grant" means a category of grant that will result in development of plans
that integrate Ecosystem Partnership goals with Program Guidance principles
and/or with the mission of related and relevant programs.
"Research
Grant" means a category of grant that will result in investigation, data
analysis, and research of ecological factors in the Ecosystem Partnership Area
that can be used to advance Ecosystem Partnership goals and the Ecosystem
Program's mission.
"Resource
Economics Grant" means a category of grant that will result in unique
economic development projects directly associated with human access or
sustainable non-destructive use of an ecosystem.
"Local
Partnership Council (LPC)" means the governing body of the Ecosystem
Partnership.
"Program
Guidance" means a document developed and released by the Department that
provides periodic updates on the mission, goals, objectives, and direction of
Conservation 2000. The document expands upon the 9 criteria that define the
role of an Ecosystem Partnership which are to: acquire, protect and restore
natural resources of local and State significance; acquire, preserve, and
restore habitat areas that meet minimum functional habitat area guidelines;
develop and implement restoration/recovery of species "guilds" or
insure diversity of habitat; create, protect, and restore adequate buffer to
protect sensitive habitats from non-compatible land uses; connect habitat
areas; use ecosystem-based Best Management Practices; restore and naturalize
hydrologic functions; develop educational strategies that complement ecosystem
protection, restoration and enhancement activities; integrate research and
monitoring into partnership and program work; integrate the ecosystems program
with other local, State and federal programs and initiatives.
"Vision
Plan" means a strategic document developed by an Ecosystem Partnership
that identifies natural resource issues and provides realistic ecosystem-based
strategies that should be undertaken to achieve a set of desired goals and
objectives. The Vision Plan outlines citizens', local governments', private
organizations' and businesses' role in the stewardship of the Ecosystem
Partnership Area's natural and cultural resources. The Vision Plan will follow
an outline and results-based planning framework (Vision Plan Framework)
developed by the Department's Ecosystems Division.
"Vision
Plan Framework" means a guidance document developed by the Department's
Ecosystems Division outlining a process and requirements for developing a
Vision Plan. The Vision Plan Framework will be updated as necessary and
provided to Ecosystem Partnerships.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.30 ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP DESIGNATION
Section 1523.30 Ecosystem
Partnership Designation
a) A coalition of individuals, groups and/or organizations interested
in being designated as an Ecosystem Partnership may request designation by
writing the Director and providing:
1) Their organizing principles, mission statement, constitution,
charter, statement of purpose and goals.
2) A
map of the boundaries of the proposed Ecosystem Partnership.
3) The signature of each initial member in the proposed Ecosystem
Partnership must be included in the Ecosystem Partnership letter of request to
the Director. Included in the list should be each member's address, telephone
number, fax number, e-mail address, and affiliation, and a description of the
interests the member represents.
4) From the list of initial members, a list of proposed temporary
board members in the proposed Ecosystem Partnership.
5) A description of the Ecosystem Partnership Area's natural
resources, and the condition and significance of those resources.
6) Letters of support from businesses, organizations, etc.,
within the Ecosystem Partnership Area.
b) The Director shall grant or deny designation as an Ecosystem
Partnership in writing within 90 days after the receipt of the request. The
Director shall consider the following criteria in reaching that decision:
1) The relationship between the mission or purpose of the
proposed Ecosystem Partnership and the mission and policies of the Department
and Conservation 2000.
2) The natural resource significance of the ecosystems or
watersheds proposed for inclusion in the proposed Partnership Area.
3) The representation of diverse interests associated with the
proposed Ecosystem Partnership.
4) The coalition's potential ability to achieve its stated goal.
5) Technical
and financial resources available for program expansion.
6) Other potential local support for the proposed Ecosystem
Partnership.
c) The letter of designation from the Director shall be the
official notification to the prospective Ecosystem Partnership that it has met
the requirements in subsections (a) and (b) and has received Ecosystem
Partnership designation. Maintenance of this designation is contingent on the
fulfillment of the criteria contained in Section 1523.50.
d) The initial list of LPC temporary board members submitted to
the Director and approved in the Director's letter of designation for the
Ecosystem Partnership shall serve for a period not to exceed 9 months from the
designation date. No official business can be conducted by the temporary board
members until they organize and elect a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and
Secretary/Treasurer. These LPC officers and the temporary board members shall
then prepare and adopt bylaws that meet the criteria set forth in Section
1523.40, at a meeting open to the public, and perform other duties as may be
required for the Ecosystem Partnership to become established and to operate.
Procedures to record the minutes of all meetings held throughout this process
must be in place and a copy of those minutes must be provided to the designated
Ecosystem Administrator and the Conservation 2000 Administrator, and shall be
made available to members of the public.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.40 ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP BYLAWS
Section 1523.40 Ecosystem
Partnership Bylaws
Bylaws shall be adopted by a
simple majority of the Ecosystem Partnership members and temporary board
members designated by the Director within 9 months after Department designation
as an Ecosystem Partnership. Ecosystem Partnerships previously designated by
the Director, as provided in Section 1523.30, that do not have formally adopted
bylaws meeting the following criteria shall adopt bylaws consistent with the
minimum criteria set forth in this Section after September 1, 2003. A copy of
the approved bylaws must be sent to the designated Ecosystem Administrator and
to the Conservation 2000 Administrator. Bylaws shall contain, but are not
limited to, the following:
a) Name of Ecosystem Partnership.
b) Purpose and goals of Ecosystem Partnership.
c) Mailing address for the Ecosystem Partnership.
d) Criteria establishing what constitutes a quorum for official
business of either the LPC, standing committees or special committees.
e) Procedures to amend the bylaws.
f) Procedures to establish or define the role of standing and
special committees.
g) Procedures to ensure that there is not a conflict of interest
on behalf of a member of the LPC during the evaluation and scoring of Ecosystem
Project Grant applications. Any member of the LPC who is eligible to evaluate
and score these grant applications must excuse themselves from the evaluation
or scoring of applications of an entity on which they are a board member, staff
or officer, or in which a member of their immediate family might directly
benefit. Records of all actions and decisions must be kept by the Ecosystem
Partnership and members scoring projects must disclose their affiliation with
any organization submitting an Ecosystem Project Grant application through the
individual LPC. The composite score of each grant application shall be made
available to the public upon request.
h) Eligibility criteria to become a member of the Ecosystem
Partnership.
i) Eligibility criteria for an individual or member of an
organization to serve as an officer, board member or committee member of the
LPC.
j) Procedures for open nomination and election of board members
and officers.
k) Eligibility criteria for an individual or organization to vote
for members and/or officers on the LPC.
l) Term for which elected LPC board members and officers shall
serve.
m) Procedure to elect LPC board members and officers.
n) Provisions to promote and include participation by a broad
range of interested groups and individuals within the Ecosystem Partnership
Area.
o) Criteria for board members and officers to maintain good
standing within the LPC.
p) Procedures to record the minutes of every meeting and to adopt,
maintain and distribute those minutes, including providing copies to the
designated Ecosystem Administrator and the Conservation 2000 Administrator, and
making copies available to members of the public.
q) Criteria for members to maintain good standing within the
Ecosystem Partnership.
r) Procedures to notify the public of meetings, including
insuring that the pertinent details are published no less than 10 days in
advance of meetings in a newspaper with general circulation within the
Ecosystem Partnership Area. Meetings shall be open to the public, except for
the purpose of discussing personnel issues and evaluation and scoring of
Ecosystem Partnership Grant applications. The LPC may elect to evaluate and
score Ecosystem Project Grant applications in a meeting not open to the public
if all grant applicants are notified of the proposed meeting and the LPC
follows all requirements outlined in subsection (g).
s) A schedule of meetings (at least once per quarter in a
calendar year). This schedule must be published in a newspaper with general
circulation within the Ecosystem Partnership Area.
t) Procedures for maintaining and adjusting the boundaries of the
Ecosystem Partnership Area.
u) Procedures to dissolve the Ecosystem Partnership and to
distribute assets. All assets purchased with Department funds shall be returned
to the Department.
v) Procedures to notify the public of the Ecosystem Project Grant
process and deadlines, including insuring that the pertinent details are
published no less than 10 days in advance of deadlines in a newspaper with
general circulation within the Ecosystem Partnership Area.
w) Criteria to score and rank Ecosystem Project Grant applications.
x) Procedures to retain and maintain all records, including
financial, of the Ecosystem Partnership.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.50 EVALUATION OF ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP
Section 1523.50 Evaluation
of Ecosystem Partnership
The Department will review the
status of each Ecosystem Partnership, after the third year following
designation of the Partnership. Based upon this review, the Director may
reaffirm the designation, withdraw the designation, or place the partnership on
probation. If placed on probation, the Ecosystem Partnership must correct the
issues of concern within 12 months from the receipt of written notification that
the Ecosystem Partnership has been placed on probation. The written
notification will detail the issues the Department has identified. If the
issues are not resolved to the Department's satisfaction within the 12 month
period, the Director will withdraw designation. If the designation is
withdrawn, the Ecosystem Partnerships will no longer be eligible for Ecosystem
Partnership support, Vision Plan or project funding. The Department's review
shall consider, at a minimum, the following criteria:
a) Whether the Ecosystem Partnership continues to meet the
conditions set forth in this Part.
b) Whether the Ecosystem Partnership has demonstrated sound
fiscal accountability and complied with the terms and conditions of grants
awarded it.
c) Whether the Ecosystem Partnership has completed an Ecosystem
Vision Plan, or equivalent plan, and is implementing provisions of the plan.
d) Whether the Ecosystem Partnership has demonstrated progress
towards meeting adopted goals.
e) Whether the actions of the LPC maintain the integrity of the
program and are consistent with the mission and intent of the Ecosystems
Program.
f) Whether
the Ecosystem Partnership has sought and gained non-profit status.
g) Whether quality grants were submitted in the Ecosystem
Partnership Area and whether the Ecosystem Partnership tracked and monitored funded
grants to ensure that they were executed and completed in a timely manner.
h) Whether the Ecosystem Partnership utilizes natural resource
monitoring to show progress towards improving biodiversity and ecosystem
health.
i) Whether the Ecosystem Partnership has the ability to
integrate research and data collection efforts with statewide data collection,
management storage and retrieval systems.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.60 ECOSYSTEM VISION PLAN GRANTS
Section 1523.60 Ecosystem
Vision Plan Grants
a) Ecosystem Partnerships are expected to use sound information
based upon good science in developing Vision Plans. Vision Plans will provide
guidance on ecosystem-based natural resource protection, maintenance and
enhancement and be used to prioritize funding opportunities for further
planning and project grants. Subject to sufficient funding, the Department will
annually allocate a prescribed dollar amount for the development of Vision Plans
by Ecosystem Partnerships. The amount allocated for a Vision Plan Grant shall
be commensurate with the needs identified in the scope-of-work. The
scope-of-work will provide information consistent with subsection (b) of this
Section.
b) The Vision Plan Framework describes the steps that an
Ecosystem Partnership needs to take to make sound natural resource planning and
management decisions by using good science. It also guides Ecosystem Partnerships
through the steps to be taken to develop and organize a Vision Plan document.
The Vision Plan Framework specifically provides guidance on the development of
a social inventory for the partnership area; development of a cultural resource
inventory; assessment of physical and biological natural resource information;
identification of issues and concerns; development of a purpose and vision
statement; identification of goals, objectives, strategies, and action items;
identification of ecosystem based best management practices to help solve
identified problems; development of a work plan and implementation strategy;
development of a monitoring strategy for tracking plan implementation;
encouragement to use volunteer support to conduct physical project monitoring
using established protocols; development of a public/stakeholder participation
summary and creation of an executive summary.
c) Ecosystem Partnerships interested in developing a Vision Plan
must submit a letter requesting consideration for an Ecosystem Vision Plan
Grant to the Conservation 2000 Administrator. The Conservation 2000
Administrator will review the request and send a Vision Plan Framework
application packet to the applicant. The packet will include the Vision Plan
Framework, the Program Guidance and other materials that could be used to help
guide the planning process. At minimum, every applicant must submit a
scope-of-work that addresses tasks outlined in the Vision Plan Framework and
that identifies:
1) The
purpose.
2) The
expected outcomes.
3) The plan development process, including: the tasks required to
complete the planning process, members of the planning team, party or parties
responsible for writing the plan, and the primary liaison with the Ecosystems
Program of the Department.
4) Any
data needs.
5) Resource and economic concerns to be addressed, including
ecological values, socioeconomic values, and protection and management issues,
so far as they may be known.
6) Coordination efforts with other local, regional, or State
agencies, institutions, or organizations.
7) Subgrantees
or subcontractors.
8) A
timetable for project completion.
9) An
itemized budget.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.70 ECOSYSTEM PROJECT GRANTS
Section 1523.70 Ecosystem
Project Grants
Ecosystem Project Grants are
competitively selected grants to conduct projects in Ecosystem Partnership
Areas. Matching dollars are not required, although the rate of match will be
considered as a competitive criterion. However, an approved grant that has a
match commitment shall be required to document that match. Ecosystem Projects
are awarded in 6 categories: Habitat, Research, Outreach/Education, Resource
Economics, Planning, and Land Acquisition/Easement. In Habitat or Land
Acquisition/Easement projects, if funding is sought for habitat enhancement
practices, the grantee must comply with Section 1523.160. If it is more
expeditious to fund an Ecosystem Project with another municipal, State, or
federal agency through an intergovernmental agreement, rather than a grant
agreement, this mechanism may be utilized as an alternative. All other
conditions for a grant agreement expressed in this Section must be incorporated
as conditions of the intergovernmental agreement.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.80 ECOSYSTEM PROJECT GRANT ELIGIBILITY
Section 1523.80 Ecosystem
Project Grant Eligibility
Any individual, organization, or
corporation may apply for grants to undertake Ecosystem Projects within
Ecosystem Partnership Areas. However, individuals and entities are not
eligible to apply for Land Acquisition Easement project grants to acquire or purchase
an easement in land in which they possess any ownership or financial interest.
A qualified third party, as defined at Section 2 of the Real Property
Conservation Rights Act [765 ILCS 120/2], must submit and administer an
Ecosystem Project Grant and hold the easement or title to all lands purchased
by this program. Further, an individual or entity possessing any ownership or
financial interest in the land must not have any ownership or financial
interest in the third party submitting or administering a grant or holding
title or easement.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.90 ECOSYSTEM PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS
Section 1523.90 Ecosystem
Project Grant Application Process
Pending the availability of
funding, applications for an Ecosystem Project Grant must be submitted to the
Department's Ecosystems Division in Springfield, Illinois as listed in Section
1523.170 by December 15. The grant application must be typed and submitted
electronically via Internet by December 15 or, if mailed, postmarked on or
before December 15. If the grant application is submitted online, the grant
application is due by 5:00 p.m. on December 15. Project applications must be
submitted either online at the Department's Ecosystems Program website (http://www.dnr.illinois.gov) or typed on official
forms to be considered for funding. Grant application forms may be downloaded
from the Department's Ecosystems Program website or requested from the Partners
for Conservation Administrator at the contact address, telephone number or
email address listed in Section 1523.170. Applications will not be accepted by
facsimile machine. The Department encourages applications be submitted over
the Internet.
(Source: Amended at 34 Ill.
Reg. 19844, effective December 8, 2010)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.100 ECOSYSTEM PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION
Section 1523.100 Ecosystem
Project Grant Application
a) An applicant for an Ecosystem Project Grant must submit a
description of the proposed Ecosystem Project on the required application. The
application shall be prescribed by the Department and is available from the
program contact location described in Section 1523.170.
b) The
application shall at a minimum require:
1) The name of the Ecosystem Partnership Area in which the
Ecosystem Project is to be located.
2) The name and address of the applicant and of a contact person,
if different than the applicant.
3) A
project title.
4) A
project abstract.
5) A description of and justification for the proposed project
based upon the criteria outlined in Section 1523.110(b)(2).
6) Sufficient
information to locate the proposed project.
7) A project budget identifying, at a minimum, the requested
amount of Conservation 2000 funds, any matching funds or in-kind services.
8) The attachment of a U.S. Geological Survey map (1:24,000
topographic maps) and design plans to allow the site-specific assessment of
potential natural resource impacts of projects that will alter vegetation or
otherwise alter surface features and to identify potential properties for land
acquisitions/easements.
9) The
application must be type written if it is not submitted electronically.
c) The application may also include attachments beyond those
required in subsection (b)(8). All supplemental attachments will be kept on
file at the program's central office in Springfield; however, at the discretion
of the Conservation 2000 Administrator, not all attachments may be distributed
for the grant review process.
d) Grant applications may be modified by the Conservation 2000
Administrator with concurrence from the applicant.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.110 REVIEW OF ECOSYSTEM PROJECT GRANT APPLICATIONS
Section 1523.110 Review of
Ecosystem Project Grant Applications
a) Applications meeting the requirements set forth in Section
1523.100 will be provided to the appropriate Ecosystem Partnership for the LPC
to review, score and provide recommendations for funding according to
procedures outlined in the Ecosystem Partnership bylaws. The LPC shall
evaluate Ecosystem Project Grant applications based upon: criteria as set forth
in the definition of Program Guidance; and goals and objectives of the
Ecosystem Partnership including the Vision Plan. In the review, each LPC will
provide a score to the Department based upon a consistent statewide numeric
standard procedure provided by the Department.
b) Department staff will also make recommendations for funding to
the Director based on a review process and the collective evaluation of the
following:
1) The ratio of matching dollars and value of in-kind services to
the requested Conservation 2000 dollars.
2) The project's Natural Resource Evaluation. The Natural
Resource Evaluation is designed to assess the relative natural resource benefit
of a project using the criteria set forth in the definition of Program Guidance
within each of the 6 Ecosystem Project categories: Habitat, Research,
Outreach/Education, Resource Economics, Planning and Land Acquisition/Easement.
A) The Natural Resource Evaluation for Habitat and Land
Acquisition/Easement projects will take into consideration:
i) Appropriateness of the project as reflected by the project's
relationship to existing plans, Department policies and objectives, and current
scientific understanding.
ii) The duration of the habitat protection or improvement
practice, and potential cumulative benefits in relation to previously funded
practices.
iii) The ecological ramifications of a project. For example, use
of exotic species detracts from the ecological benefits of a project; use of
native species enhances the ecological benefits of a project; multi-species
benefits increase overall ecological benefits; and projects that address
restoration of ecosystem functions offer the greatest benefits.
iv) Relative
cost effectiveness.
v) Follow-up monitoring of effectiveness of a project. Projects
including follow-up monitoring will receive greater consideration.
B) The Natural Resource Evaluation for Research projects will take
into consideration:
i) The degree to which the proposed research helps formulate or
advance partnership goals and any existing watershed management goals or plans.
ii) Validity
of the research design and methodology.
iii) Expertise
of the investigators.
iv) Appropriateness of the budget, given the scope and time line
for the project.
v) Availability of the research results. The results of the
investigation must be made available to the Ecosystem Partnership and the
Department, at a minimum, in a timely manner after completion of the research.
C) The Natural Resource Evaluation for Outreach/Education projects
will take into consideration:
i) Relationship to a resource management plan or, in the absence
of a plan, the Department's educational and/or resource management goals.
ii) The
breadth of the audience to be reached.
iii) The quality of the educational materials to be produced or
utilized in the outreach effort.
iv) Measures included to ensure technical accuracy of written
materials and consistency with stated Department policies.
v) Efforts
to assess the effectiveness of outreach efforts.
D) The Natural Resource Evaluation for Resource Economics projects
will take into consideration:
i) The relationship between the proposed project and the
Ecosystem Partnership's goals.
ii) The relationship between project cost and direct economic
benefits to be generated.
iii) Validity of models and statistical techniques employed in
forecasting economic benefits.
iv) The potential applicability of project results to other
Ecosystem Partnerships.
E) The Natural Resource Evaluation for Planning projects will take
into consideration:
i) Quality and validity of the planning effort with respect to
the diversity and breadth of stakeholder involvement.
ii) Quality of the planning effort with respect to the degree the
natural resource inventory information (particularly the quality, quantity and
distribution of native habitat information) has been inventoried and
incorporated as green infrastructure and a framework for planning.
iii) The relationship between the Ecosystem Partnership's
currently proposed planning effort and its past planning efforts and past
performance. (What was the success of past planning? Is this planning effort
building upon earlier planning; i.e., Vision Plan?)
iv) The potential applicability to other Ecosystem Partnerships as
a planning process.
3) The project's Ecosystem Partnership Performance Evaluation.
The Ecosystem Partnership Performance Evaluation is based upon the relationship
of the proposed project to the Ecosystem Partnership's:
A) Stated goals and any published watershed plan endorsed by the
Ecosystem Partnership.
B) Planning
efforts that meet the standards of Section 1523.60.
C) Use of volunteers (whose efforts have not been included as
in-kind match) in implementation.
D) Participation of multiple partners with a high level of
coordination between partners.
E) Past grant performance, if the applicant has previously
received funding under this program.
F) Potential for educational interpretation of amenities to be
developed as part of the project.
G) Consistency
of the application with the Program Guidance.
H) Ability to integrate research and data collection efforts with
statewide data collection, management storage and retrieval systems.
4) Results of the Department's Comprehensive Environmental Review
Process (CERP). The CERP assesses the potential for negative natural resource
impacts and project conformance with other natural resource regulatory
statutes.
5) Other factors, such as the criteria set forth in the
definition of Program Guidance, special funding, relationship to Departmental
initiatives and plans including the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation
Plan, potential value to other Ecosystem Partnerships, etc., will be considered,
when applicable, to the selection of projects.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.120 SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF ECOSYSTEM PROJECT GRANT AWARDS
Section 1523.120 Selection
and Notification of Ecosystem Project Grant Awards
The Director shall select
projects for funding based on the recommendations of the Ecosystem Partnerships
and of Department staff participating in the evaluation processes described in
Section 1523.110. Project selections will be publicly announced and successful
applicants will be notified. Upon notification, successful applicants will be
allowed 30 days to review their application. Within this 30 day period, the
applicant must contact its Ecosystem Administrator to request revisions, if
required, to its application. The application will be the basis for the
Department to generate a scope-of-work. At the end of the 30 day period, the
Department will develop a grant agreement and the scope-of-work will be
incorporated in, and made a part of, the grant agreement. The grant agreement
will be mailed to the applicant. The applicant must not begin work until it
receives a fully executed copy signed by the Director or is given written
authority to proceed by the Department.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.130 ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT GRANTS
Section 1523.130 Ecosystem
Partnership Support Grants
Upon a determination by the Director that it will benefit
the work of the Ecosystem Partnerships and subject to sufficient funding, the
Department may provide grants for equipment, supplies, training, services, or
other support to Ecosystem Partnerships. The Department shall formulate the
conditions of the grant agreement and make Ecosystem Partnership Support Grants
available, subject to the conditions of grant agreements, on a first-come first-served
basis.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.140 ECOSYSTEM VISION PLAN, PROJECT, AND SUPPORT GRANT EXECUTION AND REIMBURSEMENT
Section 1523.140 Ecosystem
Vision Plan, Project, and Support Grant Execution and Reimbursement
Payment of grant funds will be
on a reimbursement basis. However, upon a determination the applicant is
prepared to carry out the conditions of the grant, the Department may approve
the advancement of grant dollars. No work is to begin until a grant agreement
has been fully executed between the applicant and the Department, or written
authority to proceed is given by the Department. Work begun before the date of
execution of the grant agreement is not reimbursable.
a) With
the Department's written approval, expenditures made by the applicant in
support of an awarded project and made after the date of the press release
announcing the award, but before the execution of a grant agreement, may be
counted toward the required match. Should the applicant fail to expend the
identified match dollars, the Department may prorate reimbursement of grant
funds. To initiate a payment under the grant agreement, whether it be an
advance payment, interim payment, or final payment, it must be requested
through the Ecosystem Administrator appointed to each Ecosystem Partnership.
b) For
approval of an advance payment the applicant must provide evidence of its
capacity to begin implementation of a project. For reimbursement payments for
completed work, beyond any advance payment and up to and including final
payment, evidence of progress toward project completion as outlined in the
grant agreement, documentation of the expenditure of the match share, and
documentation of actual project expenditures must accompany all requests for
reimbursement. Reimbursements for travel, lodging, and/or per diem shall not be
above prevailing State rates set by the Governor's Travel Control Board. Upon
signature of the reimbursement request by the Ecosystem Administrator, the
reimbursement request and all supporting documentation must be forwarded to the
Ecosystems Division at the contact address provided in Section 1523.170. If
the supporting documentation is in order, the Department will process the
required instrument to initiate payment. For final payment on a completed
project, a final report must be received and approved by the Ecosystem
Administrator and Conservation 2000 Administrator. The final report shall
contain details of the methods used to fulfill the grant agreement and
documentation of completion of the project in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the grant agreement.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.150 ECOSYSTEM VISION PLAN, PROJECT, AND SUPPORT GRANT COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
Section 1523.150 Ecosystem
Vision Plan, Project, and Support Grant Compliance Requirements
All recipients of the Ecosystem
Vision Plan, Ecosystem Project or Ecosystem Partnership Support Grants must
comply with the following program requirements:
a) The grantee must notify the media that the Ecosystem Vision
Plan or Ecosystem Project has received funding from the State of Illinois,
Department of Natural Resources, Conservation 2000 Fund. All publications,
written documents, news articles, TV and radio releases, interviews and
personal presentations that relate to this project must credit the Department's
Conservation 2000 Ecosystems Program. A notice crediting the Conservation 2000
Ecosystems Program must be posted at the main entrance to any real property or
interest in real property purchased under the program.
b) For grants or agreements that include the purchase of
equipment, the grantee must provide a written report to the Department by March
31 for equipment purchased during the preceding calendar year (January 1
through December 31) and an equipment usage report must be submitted for each
of the succeeding three calendar years after purchase. Equipment usage reports
must include a detailed description of the equipment items, a description of
habitat management accomplished, resources protected, theft prevention
measures, property and license controls, and a quantitative measure of
equipment usage. Equipment purchased by the grantee, under the terms of a
grant, shall become the property of the grantee. Equipment acquired under this
program may not be employed for commercial purposes, and may only be used for
purposes similar to those described in the Ecosystem Vision Plan, Ecosystem
Partnership Support or Ecosystem Project grant agreement.
c) The grantee must provide a written preliminary report to the
Department within 90 days after receipt of notice of the award of Conservation
2000 Funds for conservation or habitat practices, land acquisition or a
conservation easement. The report shall be for the portions of the property
covered by a practice, acquisition or easement funded in part or solely by the
Department. The report shall include specifics on the project site, ownership,
conditions, changes, and any issues specified in the grant agreement.
Thereafter, the grantee must provide to the Department a written report
containing this same information once every 5 years throughout the life of the
practice, throughout the duration of the easement, or as long as the acquisition
is held in the grantee's ownership. It shall be the obligation of the grantee
to ensure the reporting requirements are also binding on any successors or
assigns.
d) If the purchase of equipment is part of an Ecosystem Vision
Plan, Ecosystem Project or Ecosystem Partnership Support Grant, and the cost of
that equipment, individually or in aggregate from the same vendor, meets or
exceeds $25,000, the equipment must either be purchased through an established
State, federal or municipal procurement process, or purchased through a
competitive procurement process. In the latter case, documentation of
invitation, submission, opening, evaluation, correction, withdrawal, and award
of bids will be required for reimbursement. The Department reserves the right
to require the grantee to use a written, competitive sealed bidding process for
costs under $25,000.
e) If the purchase of professional or artistic services, computer
equipment telecommunication equipment, software or services is identified as a
project component, and the cost meets or exceeds $25,000, the grantee must use
a written process for the solicitation of competitive sealed proposals, unless
the grantee verifies, in writing, that competitive sealed bidding for a single
procurement is not practical or advantageous; or the grantee documents, in
writing, to the Ecosystems Division, that sole source procurement is the most
economically feasible solution. The Department reserves the right to require
the grantee to use a written, competitive sealed bidding process for costs
under $25,000.
f) All equipment, materials, supplies or personal property
purchased through the Ecosystems Program is subject to retrieval by the
Department and/or reassignment by the Director upon dissolution of the grantee,
abandonment of the Ecosystem Vision Plan process, Ecosystem Project or
Ecosystem Support function, or as a result of grantee non-compliance with the
terms and conditions of the grant. All property retrieved by the Department
shall be reassigned by the Director for uses as similar as possible to the
original Ecosystem Vision Plan process, Ecosystem Project or Ecosystem
Partnership Support purposes.
g) Any real property or interest in real property purchased with
State funds, in part or solely, under the Ecosystems Program must have a lien
or conservation easement, as deemed appropriate by the Department, recorded on
the property and must be available for inspection by Department staff to
determine compliance with provisions of the purchase and/or provisions of the
grant. Any diversion of such property from its stated uses shall be grounds
for recovery of the funds granted toward purchase of the property. The grantee
shall replace the property, upon a determination that a diversion has occurred,
if the diversion is not addressed to the Department's satisfaction. The
Department shall provide written acceptance of the proposed replacement
property. Failure to comply with the notification and request for repayment
will render the grantee ineligible for participation in this or any other
Department grant or cost-share programs. Should the grantee fail to repay the
grant funds plus interest, the Department reserves the right to avail itself of
judicial means of recovery.
h) The grantee is fully responsible for and must assume all
operation and maintenance costs and responsibilities associated with an
Ecosystem Vision Plan process, or Ecosystem Project or Ecosystem Partnership
Support Grant. The Department will not be responsible for any operation and
maintenance costs associated with an Ecosystem Vision Plan process, Ecosystem
Project, or Ecosystem Partnership Support function, unless that project has
been implemented upon Department property, and only with approval prior to
submission of the application for the project.
i) Any Conservation 2000 monies not expended or legally
obligated at the completion of an Ecosystem Vision Plan process or Ecosystem
Project, or during the term of an Ecosystem Partnership Support Grant, must be
returned to the Department for deposit in the Conservation 2000 Fund within 45
days. Any expenditure by the grantee that does not comply with the grant will
be disallowed and must be returned to the Department for deposit in the
Conservation 2000 Fund. Conservation 2000 Fund monies received as an advance
payment shall become part of the project principal and must be reported as a
part of expenditure documentation. In accordance with Section 10 of the
Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act [30 ILCS 705/10] all interest earned on funds
held by the grantee shall become part of the grant when earned. Any interest
earned under the grant and not expended as grant principal during the term of
the grant shall be returned to the Department.
j) No equipment, materials, supplies or real property purchased
as part of an Ecosystem Vision Plan, Ecosystem Project or Ecosystem Partnership
Support Grant shall be transferred or disposed of or used in a manner other
than specified by the grant without approval of the Department.
k) If Department funds are used, partially or solely, to install
land management practices on a property or acquire interests in real property,
the grantee cannot develop or use that property in any manner that is not
compatible with sustaining the practices or with perpetuating the ecological
conditions that were preserved through the acquisition, respectively, unless
otherwise specified in the terms and conditions of the grant. No changes or
disturbance will be allowed by the grantee on that portion of the property
covered by an Ecosystem Project, unless otherwise stipulated in the terms and
conditions of the grant, without the written approval of the Director. The
terms and conditions of this grant shall be binding on the grantee and any
successors or assigns of interests in the real property.
l) If the terms and conditions allow the owner of any
outstanding interest in real property acquired through an Ecosystem Project to undertake
capital improvements, remove vegetation, disturb soil or similar activities
with the grantee's approval, the grantee shall consult with the Department at
least 60 days in advance of providing the owner with approval to proceed. The
Department shall reply to the grantee, in writing, pursuant to the proposed
action of the owner.
m) Department representatives must have reasonable access to an
Ecosystem Project at any reasonable time during project development and after
completion to assess progress or to ensure continuing compliance with program
requirements.
n) Reports or informational, media, or publicity materials associated
with an Ecosystem Vision Plan, Ecosystem Project or Ecosystem Partnership
Support Grant must credit the Department and Conservation 2000 Ecosystems
Program, and must stipulate that the Department has participated in the
development of these materials through financial and other support but does not
necessarily endorse all of the views expressed in the materials.
o) The grantee of an Ecosystem Vision Plan, Ecosystem Project or
Ecosystem Partnership Support Grant must certify, in writing, that it will
comply with all the terms and conditions of the grant agreement for that
grantee's specific project.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.160 NATURAL RESOURCES COST-SHARE
Section 1523.160 Natural
Resources Cost-Share
a) The Department will provide incentives to landowners in the
form of cost-share natural resource management practices. These cost-share
practices will assist Ecosystem Partnerships in implementing ecosystem
management practices and strategies. The success of each Ecosystem Partnership
in contributing to an ecosystem based management strategy will depend to a
great extent on the cooperation, commitment, and contributions of private
landowners within each Ecosystem Partnership Area. The availability of cost-share
assistance will further the mission of the Department and the goals of the
Conservation 2000 Program. The Department may consult with and coordinate the
development of their approved practices with other county, State and federal
partners.
b) Installed practices shall meet recommended guidelines and
specifications as detailed in the Natural Resources Conservation Service's
(NRCS) Technical Guide IL-645-1, and Department adopted modifications to the
NRCS Technical Guide for Illinois River 2020 conservation practices (April
2001). These specifications will be used for determining the need and
practicality of a cost-share practice, for preparing plans in design and
layout, and for certifying proper installation of a practice. Guidelines and
specifications may be customized to address site specific ecological needs.
Copies of these documents are available at the Department's office located at
One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, Illinois 62702-1271, Department
Regional Offices, County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices,
and local NRCS offices.
c) Eligible practices must be recommended in a Natural Resource
Management Plan approved by the landowner and the Department. Approved
practices will: promote the use of native plants (except where non-native
plants can be justified); increase buffer widths; extend de-watering times,
interspersion of habitat types, and control of exotic species; and promote the
use of prescribed fire.
d) The landowner is responsible for installing, maintaining and
performing all cost-share practices for no less than 10 years from the date of
installation (date completed practice is approved by the Ecosystem Partnership
and/or Department). Other parties, buyers, or heirs can assume custody,
rights, privileges and obligations by signing an agreement to adopt the
approved Natural Resource Management Plan. Conversion of a cost-share practice
to another non-program land use prior to the expiration of the practice or the
unwillingness of new owners to assume custody will require a 100% refund of the
cost-share payment and a 15% per annum penalty fee.
e) The amount of reimbursement to a landowner from all sources
may not exceed 100% of the base cost of the practice established by the federal
Farm Service Agency (FSA). The base cost represents the amount upon which the
cost-share maximum is derived. Federal cost-share program assistance will be
used for initial payment when federal or other cost-share programs' practices
are utilized concurrently with Conservation 2000; the cost-share rate shall
equal the rate of the other concurrent cost-share program in effect in the
county where the practice is installed.
f) Cost-share practices may be attempted a second time if
practice failure was not the direct fault (determined by the Department or its
designee) of the landowner. Consumption of renewable resources, as identified
in the Natural Resource Management Plan, is allowed on cost-share practice
areas. Recreational uses of cost-share practice areas is permitted, but shall
be compatible with the management objectives specified in the Natural Resource
Management Plan.
g) Cost-share funds shall not be used for the establishment or
production of fruit and nut orchards, aquaculture, grass or forb seed
production, greentree reservoirs, commercial campgrounds, irrigation systems,
Christmas tree production, nurseries, licensed hunting preserves, road
construction, bridges, gates, boundary fences, contour farming/strip cropping
practices, no-till or strip-till planting systems, or establishment of
pasture/haylands. Except as approved by the Department, exotic plants and
animals shall not be knowingly released or cultured on cost-share practice
areas.
h) Cost-share payments are reimbursements. Landowners will not
be allowed advance payment for installing practices. Payments to landowners
can only occur after the Department or its designee has certified completion of
the approved practices. The grantee is responsible for the periodic inspections
of all installed practices. Copies of these inspections shall be sent to the
Department within four months after each inspection. Where non-compliance
situations are determined, the landowner will be required, at his or her own
expense, to take steps necessary to restore compliance or refund cost-share
payments for those practices in non-compliance.
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.170 PROGRAM INFORMATION/CONTACT
Section 1523.170 Program
Information/Contact
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Office of Realty and Environmental Planning
Conservation 2000, Ecosystems Division
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield IL 62702-1271
Telephone: 217-782-7940
Website Address: http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/manage/partner
Email Address: ecoprg@dnrmail.state.il.us
(Source: Amended at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
| TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER d: FORESTRY
PART 1523
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM
SECTION 1523.180 PROGRAM INFORMATION/CONTACT (REPEALED)
Section 1523.180 Program
Information/Contact (Repealed)
(Source: Repealed at 27 Ill.
Reg. 1144, effective January 9, 2003)
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