Inside This Issue

ISTRO Conference                                     2 USCSSA                                                       _____       4 Farm Progress Show                                8  AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 914       11

 ISCA Summer Meeting Update

 

You’ve probably been wondering why there hasn’t been any notice about the summer meeting so far.  As a quick update, the Program Committee has been hard at work trying to set up a meeting between the ISCA and the Golf Superintendents of Northern Illinois (thanks Don!).  The Superintendents gave a tentative commitment to do a joint meeting earlier this summer, but they have not been responding to further inquiries since then.  Blame it on a busy summer golfing season I guess.  Either way we hope to be able to hold such a joint meeting with the superintendents next year.

 

We will be sending out a separate notice as to details of the “Summer Meeting” probably to be held in October in Northern Illinois. 

 

Regards,

 

Sam Indorante

ISCA Program Chair

 

August 16, 2003

 

President’s Column

 

Greetings from Northern Illinois!  I hope that you are having a productive summer.  In July I had the opportunity to attend the International Soil & Tillage Research Organization Triennial Conference in Brisbane, Australia.  Efforts to improve our understanding of soil response to different crop management systems are generating a lot of interest.  One of the things that made a deep impression on me was the state of soil mapping in other parts of the world.  The international delegation included representatives from over 30 different countries and it was educational to learn about the state of soil information transfer to the various user communities.  Many countries have coarse country-wide soil information, but there seems to be a lack of more detailed 2^nd order soil survey information.  Increasing the resolution of soil information is a focus of several select efforts.  Examples of this are the detailed soil mapping for wine vineyard layout (one backhoe pit characterized per acre) and Graham Shepherd’s work in New Zealand to help growers do visual soil assessment to determine limitations for crop growth.  Digital penetrometers continue to be an area of study as soil scientists try to quantify the impact of field operations on crop growth conditions.

 

Lots of interesting things are happening in soil science from agriculture to urban land use issues.  Our discipline continues to evolve, along with the rest of the scientific community, to address more real-world challenges, many which are global in nature.  The applications of soil information seem to increase with time.  Soil scientists are being called upon not only to help in matters of landuse planning (e.g., 2^nd order soil survey updates, wetland delineations, septic field sitings) but new application areas as well (e.g., impact of tillage equipment on soil conditions, golf course layout, non-invasive drain tile detection).  New methods for sensing soil attributes may enable soil scientists to increase the spatial resolution of their observations, focus more on soil attribute mapping, and help provide more interpretations of potential impact of soil properties on different applications.  It is an exciting time to be in soil science!

 

Feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions, questions, or concerns.

 

Regards,

Mark

Mark Stelford

815.761.0220

mark.stelford@EarthAgConsulting.com

 

International Soil & Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO)

http://www.istro.org

 

2003 Conference (16^th Triennial): Soil Management for Sustainability

13-18 July 2003

The University of Queensland

Brisbane, Australia

 

Meeting Highlights:

 

1. Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF)

·         Reduction of field area trafficked from 20-30% to 15% when CTF is employed

·         Increase in Plant Available Water Holding Capacity (PAWHC) in soil and better seedbeds resulting in better crop production

·         Several documented yield increases overall (including wheel tracks) using CTF and direct seeding techniques.

·         30% cost reduction (large part from reduced horsepower requirements)

·         Improved timeliness of field operations

·         One major challenge with CTF: establishment/maintenance of traffic alleys (potential for severe erosion and/or too wet to access).

·         Significant trend toward CTF in Australia: 5% of growers representing approximately 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres).

·         Typical dryland rotation: summer crop (rainy season) grain sorghum or mung beans; winter crop (dry season) wheat or chick peas

·         Unique soils of Australian agricultural production (Vertisols) & dryland environment of Queensland both accentuate the benefits of controlled traffic farming.  Several growers noted that soil moisture is the most important thing to monitor/manage on their farm.

 

 

2.       Conference field trip included a demonstration of a 3-point mounted Rimik penetrometer system (can be moved across the back of the tractor and the push rate is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder)

 

 

3.       Limited field level soil information in New Zealand has predicated the development of a soil physical assessment method used by growers to determine any physical soil limitations for crops at a site.

 

The United States Consortium of Soil Science Associations (USCSSA) is a new framework established to promote national communication and coordination between soils societies / associations. There are currently 48 individual state soil societies / associations. The ultimate goal is for all soil societies/associations to excel in sharing information and working together in promoting common goals, objectives, and activities. USCSSA can be found on the web at: http://soilsassociation.org/uscssa/search.htm The USCSSA includes the following organizations (official contact, addresses, and email for each organization are included under Membership): Professional Soil Classifiers Association of Alabama State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers - Alabama Alaska/Yukon Society of Professional Soil Scientists Soil Science Society of America Arkansas Association of Professional Soil Classifiers Arkansas State Board for Registration of Professional Soil Classifiers Professional Soil Scientists Association of California Florida Association of Environmental Soil Scientists Soil Science Society of Georgia Idaho Soil Scientists Association Illinois Soil Classifiers Association Indiana Association of Professional Soil Classifiers Indiana Registry of Soil Scientists Board Professional Soil Classifiers of Iowa Kansas Association of Professional Soil Classifiers Kentucky Association of Soil Classifiers Maine Association of Professional Soil Scientists Mid-Atlantic Association of Professional Soil Scientists Soil Classifiers Association of Michigan Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists Professional Soil Classifiers Association of Mississippi Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists Nebraska Society of Professional Soil Scientists New Hampshire Association of Natural Resource Scientists Society of Soil Scientists of Northern New England New Jersey Association of Professional Soil Scientists New Mexico Soil Science Society Empire State (New York) Pedologists Soil Science Society of North Carolina North Carolina Board for Licensing Soil Scientists Professional Soil Classifiers Association of North Dakota Association of Ohio Pedologists Professional Soil Scientists Association of Oklahoma Oregon Society of Soil Scientists Pennsylvania Association of Professional Soil Scientists Soil Science Society of South Carolina South Carolina Land Resources Commission Professional Soil Scientists Association of South Dakota Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England Soil Scientists Association of Tennessee Professional Soil Scientists Association of Texas Utah Society of Soil Scientists Virginia Association of Professional Soil Scientists Washington Society of Professional Soil Scientists West Virginia Association of Professional Soil Scientists Wisconsin Society of Professional Soil Scientists Association of Women Soil Scientists

 

Goals and Objectives

Goal:

To promote communications and visibility of state professional soil scientists societies / associations and similar societies / associations in the United States on common soil survey issues including soil interpretations, acquisitions, applications of soil survey data, and outreach to general public and elected decision makers in wise use of science-based soil survey information for protection and management of the nation's soil resources.

Objectives

1. Enhance Communications and Networking among Societies/Associations

 

1. Develop and maintain a national web site.
2. Provide a listing of the current official contacts for each Society/Association.
3. Provide a description/briefing on current state society / association activities.
4. Maintain the addresses (both US mail and electronic) of all consortium membership.
5. Develop a web link to periodical newsletters prepared by the consortium membership.
6. Promote exchange of ideas and networking among colleges, universities, federal-state- local units of government, non-government organizations and the private sector.

 

2. Outreach to General Public and Decision Makers

 

1. Prepare a National brochure on the names, membership and goals of state soil scientists societies / associations and similar societies / associations.
2. Develop and make available a listing of societies / associations in which the membership is certified by the State and/or ARCPACS.
3. Develop and make available a reference of library-type information on the process and historical experiences in getting state certification.
4. General information on the official soil for each state.
5. Encourage each professional soil scientists society / association to identify and develop liaison with elected local, state and federal officials and legislators.
6. Engage in public policy development related to land use and environmental issues.

 

3. Technical Issues - Policy, Application, Operations and Science

 

1. Provide access to and recommendations on the use of soils information for land use and environmental activities. Examples of such activities are site assessment, urban soil interpretations, wetland management, land evaluation, and precision farming.
2. References on kinds of existing and planned federal, state, and local regulations on use of soil information in resource assessments.

 

4. Listing of Available Training and Workshops

 

1. Reference source of training available by the Society, consulting or private, federal agencies and university for personal development and credits for CEU (Continuing Education Unit) in ARCPACS.
2. Use of Consortium web site as a vehicle to share training lesson plans, visual aids, demonstrations, etc.
3. Develop a speakers bureau that will serve as a resource to the public and private sectors on the interpretation and use of soils information.
4. Fostering development and providing training, e.g., symposia and workshops specifically designed for accreditation maintenance.

 

5. Contact list of potential soil scientists available for contracting or working with the general public, local government, state government and federal agencies on individual, or long term project type Soil consulting services.

 

1. Maintain a web-site contact for those interested soil scientists to have their address and professional references listed that would be available to private industry, state and local units of government and federal agencies as a potential source of contact for soil survey services.

 

6. Professional Recognition

 

1. Each year the Consortium will recognize: 1) an outstanding state professional soil society / association from its membership and 2) an individual outstanding soil scientist for their contribution of soil survey information to the public and the consortium
2. Foster professional pride and sprit.
3. Promote certification, registration and licensing, which are essential to raising the visibility and credibility of all soil scientists.

FARM PROGRESS SHOW  2003

 

Plans are already heating up for the 2003 Farm Progress Show.   This year happens to be the 50^th Anniversary of such an event, which will be held on the Clark-Gernand Farms near Henning, Illinois in Vermillion County.  Dates are September 23^rd through 25^th.  As usual, one of the displays will feature "Soils".    The Soils Display Core Planning Group (SDCPG),  pronounced any way you like,  are busy making display plans.  This year's approach to the soils display will be a bit different than in the past.  Our theme will be  "A - MAZE - ING SOILS",  which will feature 32 Illinois soils including our State soil, Drummer Silty Clay Loam.  A straw maze will bring show participants into contact with soils collected and displayed in the maze from around the state.  (you were thinking "world"?.   Now that wouldn't that be interesting!!)   In addition, a soils pit will be located in the maze for those interested in a good old fashion soil morphology lesson.  Remember that we are in the early preliminary planing stages and as things usually go, don't be surprised if they go a bit atypical from what is reported here!  The very most important thing we will need is volunteers and other assistance from ISCA's members.  Ken Gotsch, Mark Bramstedt, Roger Windhorn and Steve Zwicker make up the soils planning group.  Make every effort to contact one of these gentlemen with your support.  We are always appreciative when strong organizations like NRCS/ISCA sponsors exhibits for public events, especially the Farm Progress Show.

 

We are still needing volunteers for the Farm Progress Show – Soils exhibit.  It would be good to have a different five member team for each of the Farm Progress Show days.  (2 information buffs working the Information Tent; 1 guarding the Wall of Soils; and 2 buried in the Soils Pit).  Jobs can be alternated among the group, that is, if any in the group are still alive!  Still needed are 2 volunteers for Tues, Sept 23, 1 for Wednesday, Sept 24; and 3 for the final day, Thurs, Sept 25.  You are guaranteed to have fun.

 

Please notify Ken Gotsch for scheduling details at:

217-774-5564, ext 117

ken.gotsch@il.usda.gov

 

Thanks!!

Ken

 

ILLINOIS SOIL CLASSIFIERS ASSOCIATION

MINUTES

ISCA COUNCIL MEETING

MAY 23, 2003

NRCS SHQ, CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS

 

Present:

Mark Stelford, President

Lester Bushue, Past President

Mark Bramstedt, President Elect

Chris Cochran, Secretary

Chuck Frazee, Treasurer

Ken Gotsch, Chairman-Farm Progress Show 2003

 

The Council Meeting was called to order by President Mark Stelford at 10:00 AM.

The minutes of the March 29, 2003 meeting held in Springfield, IL were unanimously approved.

President’s Report

Approval of Committee Chairs

            Bob Darmody-Constitution, By-Laws, & Legislative

            Bruce Houghtby-Ethics, Certification & Membership

            Don Fehrenbacher-Finance

            Matt McCauley- Newsletter

            Lester Bushue-Nominations

            Todd Soukup-Public Relations and Education

            Sam Indorante-Programs

Ad Hoc Committees

            Roger Windhorn-Historic

            Bruce Putman-Technical Criteria

Approval of committee chairs and ad hoc committees was unanimously approved.

Secretary’s Report – Chris Cochran. Received hats, shirts, and other ISCA materials from past secretary, Bob Tegeler. An inventory will be conducted.

Treasurer’s Report – Chuck Frazee. Income for the 2-month period of April and May was $495.77. Expenses for the same period were $603.69. The ending balance as of May 22, 2003 was $10,063.73. The Treasurers report was unanimously approved.

Certification Board – Mark Stelford reported for Pat Kelsey. Current Certification Board members are as follows: Pat Kelsey, Chairman; Steve Elmer, Vice-Chairman; Jim Hornickel, Sec-Treas. Other members are Doug Gaines, Dana Grantham, and Bill Kresnor. One application is being processed.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Relations and Education Committee/Special Appointee to State Advisory Commission on Private Sewage Disposal – Mark Stelford reported for Don Fehrenbacher. Nothing currently happening with the Commission since the new Governor is in process of setting up his administration. Don will look into whether or not the commission starts back up once the new administration settles in.

Illinois Conservation Congress – Mark Stelford reported for Pat Kelsey, Delegate and Roger Windhorn, Alternate Delegate. The Governor has eliminated the staff position handling the Congress and the 2-day Congress in September. A scaled down constituent program more directed by politicians is expected.

Constitution, By-Laws & Legislative – Mark Stelford reported for Bob Darmody. Bob and Pat Kelsey have been involved in finding an electronic version of the ISCA Handbook. Mark Bramstedt reported that Wiley Scott may have an electronic version that he and Charles Love put together.

Ethics, Certification & Membership – Submitted by Bruce Houghtby. Committee members are Gloria Westphal, Bill Kreznor, and Bruce Houghtby. They have processed four applications. John Ford has applied to upgrade membership status from Associate to Full Member. Committee recommends approval. Rob Rhykerd has applied for Associate Member. Committee recommends approval. Wayne Tomlinson has applied for Associate Member. Committee recommends approval. Jaimee Hammit has applied to upgrade membership status from Associate to Full Member. Committee recommends disapproval until she meets the 4-year requirement. At that time she should resubmit her request on or about October 2003.

 

Motion for acceptance of the Committee’s recommendations passed unanimously. It was subsequently amended to read recommendations passed pending payment of appropriate fees.

Finance – No report

Nominations – Lester Bushue. No report.

Newsletter – Mark Stelford reported that Matt McCauley distributed a newsletter recently. Mark is working to get Matt affiliated with the US organization (USCSSA) with Jim Culver. The USCSSA have other association newsletters posted on their web site. We have asked permission to take snippets of what other Soil Associations are doing to include in our newsletter.

Public Relations & Education Committee – Submitted by Todd Soukup. Committee members include Clayton Heffter, Jaimee Hammit, and Todd Soukup. The Committee is exploring the following projects:

1. Setting up a workshop that focuses on soils in ecological restoration and wetland mitigation;
2. Developing a pamphlet that explains soil terms used in a soil evaluation report for septic tank filter fields;
3. Creating informal field displays depicting soils classification and interpretation for health department personnel and college classes.

Program – Mark Stelford reported that Sam Indorante, chairman and Don Fehrenbacher are on the committee. Don will be in charge of the summer/fall meeting in the Chicago area. Soils and turf management is the topic with a possible golf outing and another activity for those who do not play golf. The winter/spring meeting will be held in southern Illinois. Rend Lake resort or the St. Louis Metro East area are possibilities. Dan Rooney from Madison, Wisconsin is a possible speaker, discussing his work on detailed subsurface observation of soil features.

AD HOC COMMITTEES

Historic - Mark Stelford reported for Roger Windhorn. Bob Tegeler is compiling a spreadsheet of past officers.

State Soil

Technical Criteria – Mark Stelford reported that Bruce Putman wanted to have the key to waste water-loading rates added to the newsletter. Mark reported that this has been done. Bruce indicated that his committee’s role has been completed.

ISCA Web Page – Mark Stelford reported for Don Fehrenbacher. Instructions on how to update the web site to keep it timely is being looked into by Tom D’Avello. Incorporating the ISCA Handbook as a PDF file, shirts and hats, membership application onto the web site is a goal. Having Executive Committee email addresses and a list-serv for membership announcements and other items is being looked into.

OLD BUSINESS

Farm Progress Show – Ken Gotsch. Mark Bramstedt, Roger Windhorn, Steve Zwicker, and Ken are on the committee. Ken described the soils display at the show, September 23, 2003. It will include a maze and a soils pit. It will include ~230 bales of straw. Soils from throughout the state will be displayed as monoliths. Information about soils will be available throughout the maze. Area Soil Scientists and MLRA Leaders will collect the soil monoliths. ISCA will supply Drummer bookmarks (~1000 @ $0.09 each). $800 was budgeted by ISCA for the show. Bob McCleese has extra bookmarks. Ken will know more about the straw bales by June 3. He will pass this info to the Executive Council at their next meeting. Straw bales are currently selling for $3/bale. A decision will be made at the next meeting.

Soil Monolith Display at the Smithsonian – Mark Stelford has been in contact with Jim Culver regarding this project. Haven’t heard anything further on this project. Mark said he would contact Jim Culver for an update.

Registration – Mark Stelford. Discussion about what other states are doing for certification and registration. The United States Consortium of Soil Science Associations has sent out a questionnaire. Mark asked Bill Kreznor (Certification Board) to fill out the questionnaire for ISCA. Mark asked Les if he could poll other state organizations to find out what they are doing for registration. Mark said he would type up the notes he had taken from Dr. Franzmier’s presentation as well. This along with Les’s poll would then be submitted to the Certification Board in a report.

NEW BUSINESS

Former Members – Paul Chase, Tom Hanzely, Paula French, and Rich Boniak are in arrears on their dues. A final reminder was sent April 1, 2003. These former members have been contacted several times and to date there has been no response as to whether or not they plan to renew. Their membership expired April 1, 2003.

Certification Questionnaire – USCSSA-- Certification Board will fill out.

Summer/Fall Meeting – Mark will follow-up with Sam and Don regarding when and where the meeting will take place. There is a need to get early notification of the meeting to the membership. A minimum of a 30-day advance notice would help in getting better attendance.

Email Newsletter – Discussion revolved around sending out the newsletter through email. This would save the Association $0.60/copy or $60 per newsletter plus the cost of paper and ink. Keeping track of changing email addresses could be problematic. Topic shelved for now.

Illinois NRCS Web Site – Site contains an order form where individuals can order ISCA merchandise. Currently bookmarks, postcards and Drummer monoliths are available.  Mark Bramstedt suggested ISCA should have this on our site as well. Discussion of revising USCSSA link to http://soilsassociation.org.

 

The next meeting will be held on ?????, ??, 2003 at

 

The meeting adjourned at 12 noon.

 

Respectfully submitted

 

Christopher Cochran, Secretary

 

Illinois HB 914 with Senate Amendment # 2 enables IDPH to restrict surface discharges as the last alternative for on-site wastewater treatment.  A surface discharge will require an NPDES permit not unlike a community wastewater treatment plant.  The bill gives IDPH until July 1, 2005 to revise the state code.  These items start on Page 3 of the bill that is linked below.  Note statement on page 3, line 18-22:

 

18             (2)  Establish  that  soil  evaluations   shall   be
19        conducted   to  determine  if  any  combination  of  soil
20        texture,  structure,  topography,  limiting  layer,   and
21        permeability  may  be  used  to  support  the  use  of  a
22        subsurface seepage system.

 

 

 

http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=09300HB0914sam002&GA=93&SessionId=3&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum=914

 

LRB093 05416 AMC 16158 a

 

 1                     AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 914

 

 2        AMENDMENT NO.     .  Amend House Bill  914  by  replacing

 3    the title with the following:

 4        "AN ACT concerning private sewage disposal."; and

 

 5    by  replacing  everything  after the enacting clause with the

 6    following:

 

 7        "Section 5.  The State Finance Act is amended  by  adding

 8    Section 5.595 as follows:

 

 9        (30 ILCS 105/5.595 new)

10        Sec. 5.595.  The Private Sewage Disposal Program Fund.

 

11        Section 10.  The Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act is

12    amended by changing Sections 4 and 8 as follows:

 

13        (225 ILCS 225/4) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 116.304)

14        Sec.  4.  (a) After January 1, 1974, no person or private

15    sewage disposal system  contractor  may  construct,  install,

16    modify,  repair,  maintain,  operate,  or  service  a private

17    sewage disposal system or  transport  and  dispose  of  waste

18    removed therefrom, in such a manner that does not comply with

19    the  requirements  of  this  Act,  the Illinois Environmental

 

                            -2-      LRB093 05416 AMC 16158 a

 1    Protection Act, the applicable rules adopted pursuant to  the

 2    Illinois Environmental Protection Act, and the private sewage

 3    disposal  code  promulgated  hereunder  by the Department.  A

 4    person who owns and occupies a single family dwelling and who

 5    constructs,  installs,  maintains,  services  or  cleans  the

 6    private sewage disposal system which serves his single family

 7    residence shall not be required to  be  licensed  under  this

 8    Act,  however,  such  person  shall  comply  with  all  other

 9    provisions  of  this Act and the private sewage disposal code

10    promulgated hereunder by the Department.

11        Any person who constructs, installs,  repairs,  modifies,

12    or  maintains  a private sewage disposal system, other than a

13    system which serves his own single family residence, shall be

14    licensed  by  the  Department  as  a  Private  Sewage  System

15    Installation Contractor and any person who  cleans  or  pumps

16    waste  from  a  private  sewage disposal system, other than a

17    system which serves his own single family residence, or hauls

18    or disposes of wastes removed therefrom shall be licensed  by

19    the  Department  as  a Private Sewage Disposal System Pumping

20    Contractor in accordance with this Act.

21        (b)  No new  private  sewage  disposal  system  shall  be

22    installed  by  any  person until drawings, specifications and

23    other information requested by the Department  are  submitted

24    to  and  reviewed  by the Department and found to comply with

25    the private sewage disposal code, and until approval for  the

26    installation of such system is issued by the Department.

27        (c)  The  licensing  requirements  of  this Act shall not

28    apply to any person who cleans or pumps, hauls or disposes of

29    waste from chemical toilets located in  an  underground  coal

30    mine.  This waste shall be (i) transported to and disposed of

31    at  a  sewage  treatment  facility  permitted by the Illinois

32    Environmental Protection  Agency  and  located  on  the  mine

33    property, or (ii) stored on-site in a sanitary manner pending

34    removal  and subsequent disposal by a licensed private sewage

 

                            -3-      LRB093 05416 AMC 16158 a

 1    disposal pumping contractor.

 2        (d)  Beginning July 1, 2005, no person or private  sewage

 3    disposal  system contractor may install a surface discharging

 4    private  sewage  disposal  system,  unless   the   Department

 5    determines  that  no  feasible  alternative  to  the  surface

 6    discharging  private  sewage disposal system is available and

 7    the owner of the system fulfills the requirements  stated  in

 8    this  subsection  and rules adopted pursuant this subsection.

 9    Before July 1, 2005, the Department shall amend  the  private

10    sewage disposal code. The amendments shall include conditions

11    and criteria under which the Department may determine that no

12    feasible alternative to a surface discharge is available. The

13    Department  shall  do  all of the following when establishing

14    rules to determine that no feasible alternative is available:

15             (1)  Revise the  private  sewage  disposal  code  to

16        encourage  the  connection of properties to decentralized

17        cluster systems or public sewers.

18             (2)  Establish  that  soil  evaluations   shall   be

19        conducted   to  determine  if  any  combination  of  soil

20        texture,  structure,  topography,  limiting  layer,   and

21        permeability  may  be  used  to  support  the  use  of  a

22        subsurface seepage system.

23             (3)  Consider  all available private sewage disposal

24        system  technologies  before  allowing  a   new   surface

25        discharge system.

26             (4)  Establish procedures to approve designs capable

27        of    meeting   specific   and   measurable   performance

28        requirements  to  expedite  the  reduction   of   surface

29        discharge systems.

30             (5)  Establish   and   require   effluent  reduction

31        methods when a surface discharge system is approved.

32             (6)  Establish  requirements  to  minimize   surface

33        discharges  that  cross property lines, create nuisances,

34        and  may  create  mosquito  breeding  areas  that  foster

 

                            -4-      LRB093 05416 AMC 16158 a

 1        diseases such as West Nile Virus and other mosquito borne

 2        diseases.

 3        (e)  Beginning July 1, 2005,  no  person  may  operate  a

 4    surface  discharging  private  sewage disposal system, unless

 5    all of the following conditions are met:

 6             (1)  The  owner  provides  for  the  operation   and

 7        maintenance  of  the  system  by  licensed  and qualified

 8        persons pursuant to rules adopted by the Department.

 9             (2)  Monitoring of the discharge is conducted.

10             (3)  The owner  or  operator  has  applied  for  and

11        received   a  National  Pollutant  Discharge  Elimination

12        System Permit.

13             (4)  The  effluent  quality  meets  the   applicable

14        limitations of State and federal laws and rules.

15        Before  July  1,  2005,  the  Department  shall amend the

16    private sewage disposal code  to  include  criteria  for  the

17    maintenance, operation, and monitoring of surface discharging

18    private   sewage   disposal  systems  installed  or  operated

19    pursuant to subsection (d).

20        (f)  There is hereby created  in  the  State  treasury  a

21    special  fund  to  be  known  as  the Private Sewage Disposal

22    Program Fund. All fees collected by the Department for exams,

23    licenses, permits, and fines  in  accordance  with  this  Act

24    shall be deposited into the Fund and shall be appropriated by

25    the  General  Assembly  to the Department. Gifts, grants, and

26    moneys from other governmental agencies may be deposited into

27    the Fund. Subject to appropriation,  moneys  from  this  Fund

28    shall  be  used  by  the  Department  to administer this Act,

29    including  establishing  and  maintaining  an  NPDES   Permit

30    Program   in  conjunction  with  the  Illinois  Environmental

31    Protection Agency  and  supporting  private  sewage  disposal

32    education and training. Interest generated by this Fund shall

33    be  returned  to  the  Fund.  Monies  in  the  Fund  shall be

34    appropriated and used only for the purposes  stated  in  this

 

                            -5-      LRB093 05416 AMC 16158 a

 1    Act.

 2        (g)  The  Department  shall  not  issue approval of a new

 3    surface discharging private sewage  disposal  system  on  any

 4    property  platted  or recorded after July 1, 2005, unless the

 5    Department determines that no  feasible  alternative  to  the

 6    surface   discharging   private  sewage  disposal  system  is

 7    available  and  the  owner  of  the   system   fulfills   the

 8    requirements  stated  in  subsection  (d)  and  rules adopted

 9    pursuant that subsection.  Assurance  that  connection  to  a

10    public  sewer, decentralized cluster system, community sewer,

11    or an individual subsurface private  sewage  disposal  system

12    with a dedicated alternative area shall be provided for newly

13    platted  property,  unless  the Department determines that no

14    feasible  alternative  to  the  surface  discharging  private

15    sewage disposal system is available  and  the  owner  of  the

16    system fulfills the requirements stated in subsection (d) and

17    rules adopted pursuant that subsection.

18        (h)  In  order  to assure that the analysis of wastewater

19    samples submitted for NPDES permit compliance and  for  other

20    performance  compliance  is  conducted properly, laboratories

21    that conduct wastewater testing shall  be  certified  by  the

22    Environmental  Protection  Agency  to conduct this wastewater

23    analysis.

24        (i)  It is the intent of this amendatory Act of the  93rd

25    General   Assembly   that  (i)  the  number  of  new  surface

26    discharging systems permitted by the Department be reduced to

27    as few as  possible  and  (ii)  the  Department  establish  a

28    program  for  existing  private  sewage disposal systems with

29    surface discharges on or before July 1, 2005.

30    (Source: P.A. 86-1195.)

 

31        (225 ILCS 225/8) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 116.308)

32        Sec. 8.  In addition to promulgating and  publishing  the

33    private   sewage   disposal  code,  the  Department  has  the

 

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 1    following powers and duties:

 2             (1)  Make  such  inspections  as  are  necessary  to

 3        determine satisfactory compliance with this Act  and  the

 4        private sewage disposal code.

 5             (2)  Cause   investigations   to   be  made  when  a

 6        violation of any provisions of this Act  or  the  private

 7        sewage disposal code is reported to the Department.

 8             (3)  Subject  to  constitutional limitations, by its

 9        representatives after identification, enter at reasonable

10        times upon private or public property for the purpose  of

11        inspecting  and  investigating conditions relating to the

12        administration  and  enforcement  of  this  Act  and  the

13        private sewage disposal code.

14             (4)  Institute  or  cause  to  be  instituted  legal

15        proceedings in the circuit court by the State's  Attorney

16        of  the  county  where such non-compliance occurred or by

17        the Attorney General of the State of Illinois in cases of

18        non-compliance with the provisions of this  Act  and  the

19        private sewage disposal code.

20             (5)  Authorize  the trial or experimental use of new

21        innovative systems for private sewage disposal, upon such

22        conditions as the Department may set.

23             (6)  Adopt minimum performance standards for private

24        sewage disposal system contractors.

25             (7)  Issue an annual license to every applicant  who

26        complies  with  the  requirements  of  this  Act  and the

27        private sewage disposal code and who  pays  the  required

28        annual license fee.

29             (8)  Collect  an  annual  license  fee  in an amount

30        determined  by  the   Department   from   each   licensee

31        contractor and any examination and reinstatement fees.

32             (9)  Prescribe   rules  of  procedure  for  hearings

33        following denial, suspension or revocation of licenses as

34        provided in this Act.

 

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 1             (10)  Issue   permits    for    the    construction,

 2        installation,  operation,  maintenance,  monitoring,  and

 3        management  of  onsite  wastewater  treatment systems and

 4        shall establish a fee for each permit issued.  Operation,

 5        maintenance,  monitoring,  and  management  permits shall

 6        include performance requirements.

 7             (11)  Establish    performance    and    maintenance

 8        requirements specific to individual systems.

 9             (12)  Establish  procedures   to   approve   designs

10        capable  of  meeting  specific and measurable performance

11        requirements.

12             (13)  Require approved contingency plans to  prevent

13        catastrophic failures.

14             (14)  Administer   a   program   for   limited  term

15        operating permits  that  are  renewable  upon  documented

16        compliance  with  permit  conditions  and  require system

17        inspections at the time of operating permit renewal.

18             (15)  Establish and administer a program for time of

19        sale and change in use inspections.

20             (16)  Administer a program for  periodic  compliance

21        monitoring and reporting.

22             (17)  Maintain  a construction permit file including

23        site   evaluation,   design,   installation,   inspection

24        reports, and record drawings of systems.

25             (18)  Establish and administer a tracking system for

26        operating permits and residuals hauling and disposal  and

27        establish fees for implementing this system.

28             (19)  Establish standards for surface and subsurface

29        discharges from private sewage disposal systems.

30    (Source: P.A. 85-1261.)

 

31        Section  99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect upon

32    becoming law.".

 

Submitted by Don Fehrenbacher