Soil & Water Conservation District
Apr 1, 2026
The lede
- Natural Land Institute and A3 Environmental Consultants presented on agricultural easement opportunities in Boone County, including discussion of NRCS’s ACEP-ALE program that covers 50% of development rights costs
- Board approved PFC (cost share) project rankings for grassed waterways and pollinator habitat, with Jo Daviess County transferring $2,430.87 to Boone County for project funding
- District finances total approximately $533,690 across checking, savings, and Illinois Funds accounts
- NRCS reported EQIP ranking deadline April 3rd, CRP deadline closed, and new Pheasants Forever Biologist starting in Rockford office
Decisions & votes
- March meeting minutes approved (Frank/Aves, passed unanimously)
- Finance report approved (Aves/Brahmstedt, passed unanimously) - accounts totaling $533,690.54
- PFC project ranking approved (Aves/Ratcliffe, passed unanimously) - two grassed waterway projects and one pollinator project using $15,901.21 in available funds; additional $6,123.48 to be requested from IDOA to cover pollinator project if applicant proceeds
- Timesheets approved (Ratcliffe)
- Meeting adjourned (Aves/Frank, passed)
Discussion items
- Agricultural easement program: Natural Land Institute (NLI) representatives discussed opportunities for agricultural easements in Boone County; NLI currently holds ~4,500 acres in easements, mostly in Northern Illinois; NRCS ACEP-ALE program pays 50% of development rights value; NLI funding helps with administrative costs and additional easement funding beyond NRCS programs
- FY26 grant applications: Applications with IDOA now open; district will begin application this week
- Infrastructure updates: IDOT to install district road signs in coming weeks
- Committee reports: Development team discussed state solar/wind legislation; stormwater committee establishing foundation (2nd meeting); groundwater committee planning Farm Breakfast for June 27th at Fitzgerald farm and discussing repair/replacement of groundwater education models
- Envirothon event: Recent event completed; tentative 2027 dates set at Morton Arboretum
- Cost share programs: CPRG contracts due May 1st; I-Cover open signup begins April 15th (preapplication opened April 1st)
- Erosion control inspections: Regular inspections completed; additional inspection requested by County Highway Department for housing development on Spring Creek Rd
- NRCS staffing: Hiring freeze lifted but critical vacancies limited; districts leveraging shared staffing resources
Financial / operational notes
- Account balances: Midland checking $250,888.56; Midland savings $15,062.95; Illinois Funds $267,739.03 (total: $533,690.54)
- PFC cost share funding: $15,901.21 available after Jo Daviess County transfer of $2,430.87; additional $6,000-$6,123.48 may be requested from IDOA for pollinator project
- NRCS administrative assistance: $6,675 balance remaining (Q1 & Q2 invoices); all FY25 invoices paid
- Tree and fish sales: 12 tree orders totaling $1,020; 10 fish orders totaling $1,918.80 (one additional order expected)
- IDOA spot check: One Fall Covers for Spring Savings program spot check completed