Senator Dick Durbin Announces $5.9 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Floodplain Easement

June 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $5,946,931 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for floodplain easement in Illinois. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s floodplain easement program allows for the acquisition of private, local government or state owned lands that have been damaged by flooding at least once in the last 12 months or twice in the past 10 years. Once the easements have been established, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will fund conservation work necessary to restore the land to its natural state.

Restoring floodplains to a natural state ensures they function properly – conserving and improving fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, flood water retention, ground water recharge, and open space; reducing long-term federal disaster assistance; and safeguarding lives and property from floods, drought, and erosion. Landowners retain several rights to the property, including quiet enjoyment, control of public access, and undeveloped recreational use such as hunting and fishing.

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Today’s funding came as part of a nationwide announcement of $136 million for easements covering 36,000 acres of land in 36 states. Projects in specific counties include:

* Adams County: $660,101 in funding for two projects covering 175 acres of land;
* Clark County: $1,008,575 in funding for three projects covering 261 acres of land;
* DeKalb County: $709,900 in funding for one project covering 156 acres of land;
* Kendall County: $97,555 in funding for one project covering 25 acres of land;
* Lawrence County: $1,000,900 in funding for one project covering 348 acres of land;
* Pope County: $134,400 in funding for one project covering 59 acres of land;
* Stephenson County: $1,344,345 in funding for one project covering 379 acres of land;
* White County: $1,717,819 in funding for one project covering 846.9 acres of land.

Source: Senator Dick Durbin