(525 ILCS 30/17) (from Ch. 105, par. 717)
Sec. 17.
All public agencies shall recognize that the protection of
nature preserves, buffer areas and registered areas is the public policy
of the State and shall avoid the planning of any action that would adversely
affect them.
It shall be the public policy of each agency of State or local
government to utilize its authority in furtherance of the purposes of this
Act, and to evaluate, through a process of consultation with the
Department, whether the actions, including capital projects, that are
authorized, funded, or carried out by the agency of State or local government
are likely to result in the destruction or adverse modification of any
natural area that is registered under this Act or identified in the
Illinois Natural Areas Inventory.
The evaluation shall be conducted early in the planning of a proposed
action. If the proposed action is found likely to have an adverse impact on
a natural area, the agency shall study the proposed action to determine
possible methods of eliminating or mitigating the adverse impact. Before
implementing any action, the agency shall attempt to mitigate or eliminate
any adverse impacts in a manner consistent with the planned action. The
Department, Commission, or any affected person may seek a writ of mandamus
to compel an agency of State or local government to engage in the
evaluation and study required by this Section.
(Source: P.A. 88-139.)
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