HR0923 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0923 LRB093 21740 KEF 50896 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 1963, the State of Illinois was the first State in the nation to create a program for protecting rare natural areas, known as the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission works to preserve, protect, and defend natural areas and endangered species habitat for the benefit of the public; and

WHEREAS, In the last 40 years, the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission has dedicated and had oversight for 321 nature preserves in 79 counties totaling 43,382 acres and 108 land and water reserves in 50 counties totaling 33,789 acres; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognized the importance of creating a perpetual funding source for conservation efforts in 1989 by dedicating portions of the real estate transfer tax to the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund; and

WHEREAS, The Real Estate Transfer Tax Law requires 35% of the real estate transfer tax revenue be deposited into the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund; and

WHEREAS, The Real Estate Transfer Tax Law also requires 15% of the real estate transfer tax revenue be deposited into the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund; and

WHEREAS, The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program is a grant program run by the Department of Natural Resources that provides a primary source of funding for local governments, forest preserve and conservation districts, and park districts for local land acquisition and facilities management and maintenance; and

WHEREAS, The Natural Areas Acquisition Fund directly funds the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and the Natural Heritage Program, which employ biologists, environmental professionals, and support staff directly involved in the protection, management, and restoration of natural areas, endangered species, and critical wildlife habitat on public and private lands across Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Illinois ranks 47th in the nation in public open space per capita; and

WHEREAS, Governor Blagojevich's proposed FY05 budget eliminates new funding for both the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund; and

WHEREAS, Eliminating funding for the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program will eliminate grant funds for local land acquisition and maintenance; and

WHEREAS, Eliminating funding for the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund will reduce the level of protection, maintenance, and restoration of open land and endangered species habitat in Illinois, which may result in a corresponding loss of biodiversity and habitat and a degradation of natural areas; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY, that the members of the House of Representatives urge the Governor to continue funding the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development and Natural Areas Acquisition programs for the 2005 fiscal year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Governor to reconsider the idea of redirecting dedicated funding for the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund to the General Revenue Fund; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Governor of the State of Illinois and the Director of Natural Resources.