Many Illinois groups are pushing back against proposed legislation that would greatly expand the definition of a wetland in the state.

Kevin Johnson, president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA), tells Brownfield if passed the Wetlands Protection Act would include any kind of standing water…

“And that could be an inch deep and a foot across.”  He says, “You could call it a wetland. A lot of this would go through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  The fines could be up to $10,000 a day.”

He says the changes could prevent farmers from improving drainage and adopting conservation practices. 

“This is not just an agriculture issue.”  He says, “This is anybody that owns land, construction, and this is all came from the Supreme Court case and Waters of the U.S.

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