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Congratulations to Lyons Township High School, who won the FFA Division of the Northeastern Illinois Envirothon! This team will be representing our district at the state competition on May 8 and 9, 2024. Northeastern Illinois Envirothon ​ The Northeastern Illinois Envirothon combines in-class curriculum with hands-on field experiences, while demonstrating the role people have in important environmental issues, such as forestry and wildlife management, water quality, and soil erosion. Teams use group oriented problem-solving skills and hands-on field experience while completing the 5 outdoor labs and testing. At each testing station, teams first listen to a presentation by a professional in that field, and then complete a lab and written test. Teams are tested on their knowledge in Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife and a current environmental issue that changes each year. Regional competitions are held annually throughout Illinois. Our regional event, the Northeastern Illinois Envirothon, serves the counties of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Winnebago, McHenry, Boone, DeKalb, Kane and Will. This natural resource education program is organized by the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts through their regional Land Use Council; LUC 16. Due to population size and geographic space, this competition is further divided into two regional events; north and south. The overall winner of both events continues on to the Illinois Envirothon competition in the spring. The winning Illinois Envirothon team represents our state at the Canon Envirothon. Gathering teams from across the US and Canada, this international event is the largest environmental competition in North America. At this event teams stand to win $30,000 in scholarships and prizes. 2024 Envirothon Registration is now closed. Please check back for more information about next year's event! ​ 2024 Northeastern IL Envirothon Brochure ​

URBAN & RURAL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS The Will-South Cook Soil & Water Conservation District operates several programs that address the effects of development upon the area’s natural resources. Conservation Stewardship Plan Property Tax Assistance As of October 1st 2007, Illinois landowners with 5 or more contiguous acres of unimproved land may apply for a reduction in their property tax valuation. Landowners who wish to receive the 5% valuation for unimproved land provided by this law (SB17) are required to prepare a Conservation Management Plan according to rules developed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). That Plan will describe how the land will be managed to protect and maintain environmental resources. When a Conservation Management Plan (CSP) is approved, the county assessor of the properties that have qualified for the special valuation will be notified and the necessary adjustment in the valuation will be made. ​ The Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District has established a service to assist local residents with the development and submittal of their Conservation Stewardship Plan (CSP). In some cases, landowners can reduce their assessment from over 33 percent of the property’s market value to 5 percent. Larger parcels, in some cases, will also be eligible for USDA cost share programs to assist with any expense associated with establishing their plan. For more information, contact the WSCSWCD office at (815) 462-3106, ext. 3. Well Decommissioning Practice Improperly abandoned wells may be a direct conduit for pollutants to enter aquifers and contaminate groundwater shared by all citizens. The Well Decommissioning Practice (WDP) provides technical and financial assistance to owners of improperly abandoned wells who wish to seal those wells to protect groundwater from potential contamination. Survey and Engineering Assistance Survey and Engineering Assistance expertise is needed to plan, design, and assist in the construction of any conservation practice to address a natural resource concern. ​ The Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District has a Professional Engineer (P.E.) on staff who is available to help anyone who has a need for survey and engineering assistance. Drainage and Flood Assistance Drainage and flood concerns may be significant for any landowner. The types and textures of soils have a major influence on both occurrences. Also, another important factor is the type and adequacy of the outlet for runoff draining from upstream areas. ​ For more information contact the WSCSWCD office at (815) 462-3106 ext 3. Pond Design and Maintenance Ponds can be very beneficial and attractive; however, many factors need to be considered in the planning, designing, construction and maintenace of them. Recognizing the existence and incorporation of local, state and federal authorities/guidelines in the planning of a pond are essential. A pond may have many uses planned into its functioning, i.e., livestock watering, fish and wildlife, recreation, fire control, and other related uses. They may be either an embankment or an excavated type of a pond. ​ Click Here to Download the Management of Small Lakes and Ponds in Illinois.pdf Soil Fertility Testing Program: Don't Guess, Get a Soil Test! The Will South Cook SWCD will be offering a low-cost soil testing program to help residents make informed decisions about the management of soil nutrients. ​ Soil tests provide information on fertilizer needs which help you save money and time as well as protect the environment from contaminated runoff from over-fertilization. Soil tests should be taken in the spring or fall for established sites and at any time of year for new seeding and plantings. Taking a soil test every two to three years is usually adequate to monitor nutrient levels; however you may need to test more frequently if management practices change. Staff at the Conservation District will help you interpret the results of your test, which will include specific fertilizer recommendations for your crop. For questions or more information, call the WSCSWCD office at (815) 462-3106 ext.3. ​ Click Here to Download the Soil Fertility Testing Fillable Form ​ Click Here to Download the Soil Test Sampling Instructions ​

TREE & FISH SALE The Will/South Cook Soil & Water Conservation District conducts a Tree and Fish Sale in the Spring and Fall of each year. In addition to being a fund raiser for the SWCD, landowners are offered excellent quality stock and reasonable pricing. Most of our customers have patronized our event for years and anticipate each sale. Tree Sale The SWCD offers a large variety of potted trees, shrubs, evergreens, perennials and ground covers. Fruit trees are especially popular. All items are pre-ordered and picked up at the District office in New Lenox. Order forms will be available online a few weeks before each sale. Click Here for a list of available trees and their descriptions. ​ Fish Sale The fish sale offers land owners an opportunity to stock their ponds. A variety of fish are available including the Triploid Grass Carp, known for its biological weed control. The fish are also pre-ordered and picked-up at the District office in New Lenox. Fish order forms will also be available online a few weeks before the sale. ​ Stocking recommendations and other information can be found in a booklet titled Management of Small Lakes and Ponds in Illinois which can also be found on the "Publications, Resources and Links page of this website. Order forms will be available online a few weeks before the sale. Click Here for stocking recommendations and other information. Please check back in the Fall for our next sale. Please check back in the Fall for our next sale.

PARTNERS The Will/South Cook Soil & Water Conservation District thanks the following partners for their continued support.

LAND USE AND CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT The Will-South Cook Soil & Water Conservation District operates several programs that address the effects of development upon the area’s natural resources. Natural Resource Inventory Report The purpose of the NRI report is to provide officials of the local governing body and other decision-makers with natural resource information. This information may be useful when undertaking land use decisions concerning variations, amendments or relief of local zoning ordinances, proposed subdivision of vacant or agricultural lands and the subsequent development of these lands. This report is a requirement under Section 22.02a of the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District’s Act. NRI reports contain a description of the present site conditions, the present resources, and the potential impacts that the proposed change may have on the site and its resources. The natural resource information is gathered from standardized data, on-site investigations and information furnished by the petitioner. This report, when used properly, will provide the basis for proper land use change decisions and development while protecting the natural resource base of the county. It should not be used in place of detailed environmental and/or engineering studies that are warranted under most circumstances, but in conjunction with those studies. NRI’s can be ordered by completing an application and submitting it to the SWCD in the corresponding county. Click Here to Download the NRI Report Application Water Quality IEPA NPDES Phase II Inspection Program ​ In 1977 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recognizing the degraded quality of U.S. waterways due to pollution, passed the Clean Water Act. The Act regulates the emission of pollutants from specific locations, or point sources, (i.e. industrial pipes) into waters of the U.S. While the quality of our nation’s waters began to improve drastically with the regulation of point source pollutants, polluted water bodies still existed. Many pollutants enter our waterways indirectly as run-off from impervious surfaces. When these nonpoint pollutants flow through our stormwater systems and out into our rivers and lakes they degrade the quality of our waterways. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES Phase I) was formulated in 1990 under the Clean Water Act to address the issue of polluted runoff, or nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is defined as pollution that comes from many different sources over a large area, and it is generated when rain or snow melt collects impurities as it travels to a body of water. NPDES Phase I was designed to regulate stormwater runoff discharges on construction sites that disturb five (5) or more acres. In 1999 The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) expanded the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Water Program by designating additional sources of storm water for regulation to protect water quality. This new, expanded program is NPDES Phase II. The new Phase II regulations strengthen the ability of government to regulate sources of nonpoint source pollution, the leading cause of water quality degradation in the United States. In 2008 the Will-South Cook SWCD entered into an agreement with the Illinois EPA establishing an inspection program for construction sites. Sites are monitored for the implementation of soil erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices (BMP’s) and sites that are found out of compliance are reported to the IEPA. Protecting water resources is not only the responsibility of government, industry and development. To find out what you can do review the Clean Water is Everybody’s Business Tip Sheet. Will County Conservation Subdivision Design Plan Review & Inspection Program Will County Conservation Subdivision Design Plan can be found at the following link: ​ ​ Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Program The SWCD provides SESC Plan Review and Inspection services to municipalities and the development industry as requested and when workload allows. These reports may be used for compliance with the permitting of other government agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Click Here to download the SESC (Fillable) Application and Fee Schedule Soil Fertility Testing Program The Will South Cook SWCD will be offering a low-cost soil testing program to help residents make informed decisions about the management of soil nutrients. ​ Soil tests provide information on fertilizer needs which help you save money and time as well as protect the environment from contaminated runoff from over-fertilization. ​ Soil tests should be taken in the spring or fall for established sites and at any time of year for new seeding and plantings. Taking a soil test every two to three years is usually adequate to monitor nutrient levels; however you may need to test more frequently if management practices change. ​ Staff at the Conservation District will help you interpret the results of your test, which will include specific fertilizer recommendations for your crop. ​ For questions or more information, call the SWCD office at (815) 462-3106 ext.3. ​ Click here to Download the Soil Fertility Testing Application Click here to Download the Soil Test Sampling Instructions

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RESOURCES Publication Resources offered to you by the WSCSWCD. PUBLICATIONS Like Us on Facebook Click Here ​ Will South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District Newsletter Download PDF ​ Soil Test Sampling Instructions Download PDF ​ Rain Garden Manual Download PDF ​ Clean Water Is Everybody's Business Download PDF ​ Illinois Urban Manual Read Here ​ U of I Bulletin 810 ~ Avg. Crop Productivity Ratings Read Here ​ Web Soil Survey Visit Site ​ Management of Small Lakes and Ponds in Illinois Download PDF ​ Envirothon Rules and Regulations Download PDF What is an Envirothon? Download PDF ​ A Composting Link from Rebecca Read Here ​ ​ AISWCD Visit Site FORMS AND PROGRAMS NRI Report Application Download Fillable PDF ​ Soil Fertility Testing Brochure/Application Download Fillable PDF ​ SESC (Fillable) Application and Fee Schedule Download Fillable PDF ​ Aerial photo and Digital Slides Request Form Download Fillable PDF ​ SWCD Education Sch olarship Application Download PDF ​ Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship Download PDF ​ NRCS Programs Visit Site ​ USDA Farm Loan Programs Visit Site ​ USDA Conservation Programs Visit Site ​ S.T.A.R. Program Visit Site ​

AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS The Will-South Cook Soil & Water Conservation District operates several programs that address the effects of development upon the area’s natural resources. Partners for Conservation Program (PFC) Grassed Waterways Strips of grass seeded in areas of cropland where water concentrates or flows off a field. Benefits of grassed waterways are the shaping of a natural drainageway and establishment of grass to prevent gully erosion and the formation of gullies in fields. The natural channel carries water runoff from the field while the grass prevents the water from forming a gully. Vegetation amongst the waterway may also trap sediment washed from cropland, absorb some chemicals and nutrients in the runoff water and provide cover for small birds and animals. Grass waterways are easier to cross with farm machinery than are natural gullies. ​ Water & Sediment Control Basin A Water and Sediment Control Basin is an earth embankment or a combination ridge and channel constructed across the slope of minor watercourses to form a sediment trap and water detention basin with a stable outlet. This practice is applied to reduce watercourse and gully erosion, trap sediment, and reduce and manage onsite and downstream runoff. ​ Terraces An earth embankment or a combination ridge and channel constructed across the field slope that intercepts, detains, and safely conveys runoff to an outlet. Terraces are used to reduce sheet-and-rill erosion and prevent gully development. Terracing reduces sediment pollution to lakes and streams, and traps phosphorus attached to sediment particles. Terraces may also retain runoff for moisture conservation. ​ Filter Strip Strips or areas of herbaceous vegetation that removes contaminants from overland flow. Filter strips reduce suspended solids and associated contaminants in runoff, reduce dissolved contaminants loadings in runoff, and reduce suspended solids and associated contaminants in irrigation tailwater. ​ Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) Avoluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private lands and nonindustrial private forest land. It provides both technical assistance and cost share payments to help: ​ Promote the restoration of declining or important native fish and wildlife species. Protect, restore, develop or enhance fish and wildlife habitat to benefit at-risk species. Reduce the impacts of invasive species in fish and wildlife habitat. Protect, restore, develop or enhance declining or impaired aquatic wildlife species habitat. ​ T HIS PROGRAM WAS REPEALED IN 2014, HOWEVER EXISTING CONTRACTS ARE STILL SUPPORTED. Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) A voluntary conservation program that provides assistance to farmers who face threats to soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Through EQIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides assistance to agricultural producers in a manner that will promote agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals, optimize environmental benefits, and help farmers to meet Federal, State, Tribal, and local environmental requirements. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. Learn More about EQIP Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) Eligible under the CPP program, this plan is to provide an incentive and an educational tool to assist agricultural producers in optimizing the application of nutrients for plant production while minimizing offsite impacts to the environment and protecting water quality. Eligibility is limited to fields where the next crop planted is scheduled for an application of N, P, or K fertilizer. ​ ​ Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Authorized under the 1985 Food Security Act (FSA). It is a voluntary program that encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland and other environmentally sensitive cropland areas to permanent vegetative cover. Permanent cover options include grasses, and legumes, tree plantings, wildlife plantings, filter strips, and riparian buffers. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multiyear contracts. Cost share assistance is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices. Learn More about CRP Streambank Stabilization and Restoration Program (SSRP) Designed to demonstrate effective, inexpensive vegetative and bio-engineering techniques for limiting streambank erosion. Program monies fund demonstration projects at suitable locations statewide and provide cost-share assistance to landowners with severely eroding streambanks. The Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois' soil and water conservation districts (SWCD's) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (NRCS) serve as partners in implementing the program. Conservation Practices Program (CPP) Provides cost-share assistance for the construction or adoption of projects that conserve soil, reduce erosion, and protect and improve water quality. Practices include Well Decommissioning Projects (WDP), Nutrient Management Planning (NMP), and erosion control practices such as grassed waterways, terraces, and water & sediment control basins.

MAKING AN IMPACT The goal of Will-South Cook Soil & Water is to continue to be an integral part of the Conservation Movement led by members of the community. Together we can achieve a sustainable impact. Save the Date! 2024 Recognition Dinner Thursday August 1, 2024 - 5:30 pm Providing Leadership in Resource Management Since 1946. The Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District, organized in 1946, is one of 98 Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts empowered by state law to provide help and information about soil, water, and related natural resources. The District encompasses all of Will County and the portion of Cook County that lies south of 22nd Street. ​ The District works together with the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help district residents conserve, develop, manage, and wisely use land, water, and related resources. The District and NRCS provide assistance to land managers, county and local governments, organized groups, and local communities; based on a combination of national, state, local, and community needs and concerns. ABOUT The Primary Resource Concerns Of The Will-South Cook Soil & Water Conservation District Include: Soil Erosion & Sediment Control The SWCD provides SESC Plan Review and Inspection services. Learn More > Water Quality Water Conservation description paragraph here Learn More > Natural Resource Management Natural Resource Management description paragraph here Learn More > Farmland Preservation Farmland Preservation description paragraph here Learn More > Conservation Education Conservation Education Description Paragraph here Learn More > Board of Directors Rob Ogalla Chairman Jim Robbins Vice Chair Traci Jungles Secretary Roger Bettenhausen Treasurer Corey Johnson Director WHAT'S NEW… New information is being added weekly! Check back soon! COME JOIN US There are many exiting events that you can be a part of, including our District Board Meetings, held at 7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of each month. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. View Our Complete Calendar of Events >