Illinois EPA announces $94,305 Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program funding for University of Illinois

SPRINGFIELD --- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) announced today that it has approved a $94,305 Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program grant, which will enable the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to continue work with the IEPA to enhance the Best Management Practices (BMP) database.

This project will continue development of the BMP database, developed by the University of Illinois and the Illinois EPA to geographically track BMPs implemented by the IEPA with funding under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.  The University will work in conjunction with the IEPA to identify and implement proposed enhancements to the interface, database, and design.

The grant is being provided through the IEPA as part of Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act.  The purpose of IEPA's Section 319 Program is to work with local government and other organizations to protect water quality in Illinois through the control of non-point source pollution. The program provides funds to implement projects that utilize cost-effective best management practices to protect Illinois' water resources.

"This project will enable the IEPA and others to view the geographic dispersion of BMPs and determine whether the correct areas of the state are being properly addressed," said IEPA Director Doug Scott. 

"This project will enhance government accountability," said Governor Blagojevich, "By providing a mechanism for the generation of on-demand reports tailored to specific time-frames and geographic regions such as counties, watersheds, and congressional districts.  The public will be able to see where Section 319 funds are being spent in Illinois to address the problem of nonpoint source pollution."