R2015-04 AGREEMENT WITH MACON COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

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This year, an additional 182 acres were taken out of row-crop production and put into permanent CREP ground in the Lake Decatur Watershed. Illinois EPA (IEPA) Construction Site Inspection Program: In an effort to promote proper construction site stormwater management methods required by the Clean Water Act and regulated by the IEPA,the District negotiated an agreement with the IEPA to provide technical assistance and construction site inspections throughout Macon County. In a strictly advisory and inspection role, the District inspects active construction sites, determines their state of compliance to IEPA standards and notifies the local jurisdiction and the IEPA of their status. In FY2014, 42 construction sites covered under the IL EPA's permit broke ground in the county, and 24 were inspected by SWCD staff. 20 of these sites are in the Lake Decatur Watershed. MS4 Agreement: The City of Decatur,the Villages of Forsyth and Mt. Zion, and Macon County joined together and signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)with the SWCD to implement stormwater management on behalf of the MS4s. This allows for a consistently applied set of standards regarding Best Management Practices (BMPs)and construction site inspections for the Land Disturbance Permit program. Visit www.maconcleanwater.com for more information. This year 56 construction sites were opened within the City of Decatur, Village of Mt.Zion and the Village of Forsyth,with 24 of the sites lying in the Lake's watershed. Public Education Programs: Education is provided to the general public, including adults and children, on soil and water conservation issues, careers in conservation, stormwater management, and erosion and sediment control. In addition to the Watershed Staff itself, board members and administrative staff provide time and energy in these efforts. For FY2014,the following programs were held: Date Event Program Presented. Attendance: June 2013 1. Farm Managers Breakfast LDWP 7 Aug2013 2.Farm Progress Show LDWP, Stream Health 1,000+ Aug2013 3. AWI Sangamon Watershed Celebration LDWP 50 Sept 2013 4. Cover Crop Field Day Benefits of Cover Crops 60 Oct 2013 5. E&S Control Workshop Urban Erosion 45 Dec 2013 6. Forestry Workshop Forest health, Water Qual 35 Feb 2014 7. Annie's Project LDWP, Lake History 20 Mar 2014 8. Timing is Everything Benefits of Cover Crops 40 Mar 2014 9. Horses & Water Quality Manure, Pasture M mt 9 Apr 2014 10.Ag ucation (5tgraders) Watershed Health 660 Apr 2014 11. Festival of Spring Watershed Health 50 June 2014 12. Forestry Workshop Water Quality 50 Nov 2014 13. Economics of Erosion Control Constr. Site BMPs 60 Dec 2014 1 14. Cover Crop Field Day Cover crops 20 Total Reached 2,106+