Soil & Water Conservation District
Jun 3, 2026
The lede
- Board voted unfavorably on a solar field project (NRI 1821) in Poplar Grove Township due to high land evaluation score (85) and concerns about prime agricultural land displacement
- District finances total approximately $525,774 across checking, savings, and Illinois Funds accounts
- Two new state IDOA programs (I-Cover and CPRG) are being implemented; no regular district conservation projects will be available in FY26 due to I-Cover dollar allocation
- NRCS received an additional $20 million for EQIP funding, with potential additional funds for CSP/EQIP coming
Decisions & votes
- April meeting minutes approved (motion by Jack Ratcliffe, seconded by Todd Aves; passed unanimously)
- Finance report approved (motion by Todd Aves, seconded by Jack Ratcliffe; passed unanimously)
- Timesheets and mileage logs approved by Jack Ratcliffe
- NRI 1821 (solar field) voted unfavorably on basis of LE score above 69 and prime agricultural land displacement concerns (motion by Todd Aves, seconded by Aaron Brahmstedt; passed unanimously)
- Meeting adjourned (motion by Todd Aves, seconded by Aaron Brahmstedt; passed)
Discussion items
- State programs update (IDOA): Information shared on I-Cover and CPRG programs; operations and cost share grants confirmed submitted and approved; PFC projects using FY25 funds scheduled for later in year; reminders given on quarterly reports, equipment purchase reports, and budget deadlines
- Grant administration: FY26 grant applications in progress; ADA compliance work needed for district websites; new STAR program forms being developed for PFC, I-Cover, and CPRG programs
- Conservation activities: CPRG spot checks for no-till implementation scheduled; erosion and sediment control inspections ongoing; two new project applications expected soon; 10 NRI letters completed for April/May plus full solar report
- NRCS partnership work: District assisting with EQIP contract obligations, CSP ranking, payment processing for EQIP and RCPP, and compliance review letters
- NRCS staffing: Agency chief resigned; assistant chief moving to chief position; Illinois NRCS authorized to hire additional personnel including district conservationists and compliance positions
- CRP update: Nearly all applications funded across three-county district group except one general signup application; area approaching national acreage cap
- Outreach: Farm breakfast scheduled for June 27th; staff to work booth with Groundwater Committee; fish sale doubled previous year and considered very successful
Financial / operational notes
- Current balances: $241,289.65 in Midland checking; $15,062.95 in Midland savings; $269,421.95 in Illinois Funds (total approximately $525,774)
- NRCS Administrative Agreement: $6,675 balance remaining for Q1 and Q2; Q3 in progress
- FY25 PFC funds: Majority of dollars allocated; two waterway projects scheduled before deadline
- FY26 funding: No regular district projects available due to I-Cover dollar allocation
- NRCS federal funding: Additional $20 million received for EQIP; potential additional pool for CSP/EQIP in coming weeks
- May meeting was cancelled (no minutes)