Public Accountability ReportPublic Accountability Report

2021 Land and Water Resources
Mission Statement Promote the conservation and protection of Illinois' soil and water resources by providing financial and technical assistance to the 97-county soil and water conservation districts to work with rural and urban customers. Provide outreach to the public at large on natural resource conservation.
Program Goals and Objectives
  1. Provide timely and relevant technical and financial assistance to soil and water conservation districts.
    1. Increase number of projects approved.
    2. Increase total amount of money expended per year.
  2. Provide timely assistance upon receipt of request.
    1. Provide comprehensive, consistent, and clear requirements, policies, and procedures.
      1. Mitigate soil loss.
        1. Increase acres of conservation tillage applied statewide.
        2. Increase percentage of cropland meeting tolerable ("T") soil loss levels.
      Source of Funds Agricultural Premium Fund, Partners for Conservation Fund, Agriculture Federal Projects Fund Statutory Authority 70 ILCS 405/1 et seq.
      Fiscal Year 2022 Target/Projected Fiscal Year 2021 Actual Fiscal Year 2021 Target/Projected Fiscal Year 2020 Actual Fiscal Year 2019 Actual
      Input Indicators
      Total expenditures - all sources (in thousands) $ 11,500.0 $ 9,568.1 $ 9,700.0 $ 9,531.4 $ 9,599.7
      Total expenditures - state appropriated funds (in thousands) $ 11,500.0 $ 9,568.1 $ 9,700.0 $ 9,531.4 $ 9,599.7
      Average monthly full-time equivalents 11.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 8.0
      Output Indicators
      Conservation practices program projects approved 320.0 320.0 N/A N/A 320.0
      Streambank stabilization restoration program projects approved 12.0 11.0 N/A N/A 11.0
      Number of participants in workshops and courses 975.0 950.0 N/A N/A 900.0
      Outcome Indicators
      State source cost share for conservation practices (in thousands) $ 2,500.0 $ 2,500.0 $ 2,500.0 $ 2,500.0 $ 1,000.0
      Dollars available per acre for conservation practices (in dollars) $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.13
      Average annual soil erosion rate (tons per acre per year) 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3
      Acres of farmland in conservation tillage 10,750,000 10,735,000 10,750,000 10,636,000 10,464,000
      Percentage of farmland in conservation tillage 51% 50% 51% 50% 48%
      Cropland meeting tolerable soil loss levels 17,000,000 17,000,000 17,000,000 17,000,000 17,180,000
      Percentage of acres meeting tolerable soil loss levels 80% 80% 80% 80% 78%
      Efficiency/Cost-Effectiveness Indicators
      Average cost per acre to attain compliance with "T" (in dollars) $ 74.50 $ 74.50 $ 74.50 $ 74.50 $ 71.08
      Explanatory Information

      The Bureau of Land & Water Resources (Bureau) promotes the conservation and protection of Illinois’ soil and water resources by providing financial and technical assistance to 97 county soil and water districts to work with rural and urban customers. The Bureau monitors financial assistance for appropriate use and provides outreach to the public at large on natural resource conservation including hosting or partnering with training workshops and seminars. The Bureau also helps protect agricultural areas and farmland by ensuring Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreements are completed for alternative energy products and the promotion of a nutrient loss reduction strategy. Finally, the Bureau also registers apiaries and provides apiary inspection on request to assist in pollination and overall bee health.

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