Southwestern Illinois RC&D, Inc.

Southwestern Illinois RC&D

In 2006 the Southwestern Illinois RC&D, Inc. entered into an agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to develop a booklet, specifically for Southwestern Illinois, (American Bottom Ecosystem Partnership, Lower Kaskaskia River/Silver Creek Ecosystem Partnership, Kaskaskia River/Shoal Creek Ecosystem partnership) which will be used to inform and educate landowners on the importance, as well as the procedures involved, in improving local stream quality.

This booklet will discuss the value of streams, and will also include a "troubleshooting" section, which describes "observations", "causes of impairments", as well as potential activates that could "remedy" the situation. A section will be included on how to plan, promote and implement a local clean-up event. We will also include information on streambank plantings, including appropriate plants for the region, fencing (livestock exclusion) and proper manure management, as well as methods for keeping other contaminants (pesticides, waste oil, etc.) out of local streams. Another section will include information on streambank protection structures as well as in-stream habitat improvement structures.