SB2357 - FORESTS-WETLANDS-PRAIRIES

3 Co-Sponsors

Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Deletes provisions that the Department of Natural Resources shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant plan for the preservation and enhancement of forests, prairies, and wetlands in Illinois. Provides that eligible entities for the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program include: (1) units of State and local government, including, but not limited to, State agencies, municipalities, townships, counties, forest preserves, and park districts; (2) conservation land trusts; (3) not-for-profit entities with conservation missions including, but not limited to, climate change mitigation, preservation of natural lands, and conservation of the State's natural resources; and (4) other entities to be determined by the Department as eligible recipients of the grants under the Act. Provides that the Department may utilize an amount not to exceed 25% of the funds appropriated for the Healthy Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program for administrative costs and for grants to eligible entities.