(70 ILCS 405/2) (from Ch. 5, par. 107)

Sec. 2. Declaration of policy. The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest to provide (a) for the conservation of the soil, soil health, soil resources, organic matter in soil and plants, water quality and water resources of this State, (b) for the control and prevention of soil erosion, (c) for the prevention of air and water pollution and the improvement of resilience to droughts, floods, and other extreme weather, and (d) for the prevention of erosion, floodwater and sediment damages, and thereby to conserve natural resources, control floods, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors, conserve wild life and forests, protect the tax base, protect public lands, and protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of this State.

The General Assembly finds that erosion continues to be a serious problem throughout the State, and that rapid shifts in land use from agricultural to nonagricultural uses, changes in farm enterprises, operations, ownership, construction of housing, industrial and commercial developments, streets, highways, recreation areas, schools, colleges and universities, and other land disturbing activities have accelerated the process of soil erosion and sediment deposition resulting in reduced resilience to floods, droughts, and other extreme weather, pollution of the waters of the State and damage to domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational, fish and wildlife, and other resource uses. It is, therefore, declared to be the policy of this State to strengthen and extend the present erosion and sediment control activities and programs for both rural and urban lands, and to establish and implement, through the Department and soil and water conservation districts in cooperation with units of local government, school districts, other political subdivisions of this State, agencies of this State and other public agencies and private entities, a statewide comprehensive and coordinated erosion and sediment control program to conserve and protect land, water, air and other resources.

The provisions of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act shall apply to all districts created pursuant to this Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-484, eff. 1-1-20.)