Sierra Club Welcomes New Strategy For Addressing Illinois’ Most Widespread Water Quality Problem
SPRINGFIELD — The State of Illinois today announced the release of a finalized statewide strategy designed to address Illinois’ most widespread water pollution problem – an overload of nitrogen and phosphorus in most of the state’s rivers, lakes, and streams. The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy calls for reductions in phosphorus and nitrogen pollution that impacts Illinois waterways and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. These nutrients spur algae blooms that deplete oxygen levels, hinder recreation, and threaten public health. Nutrient pollution can also degrade drinking water quality and require cities to install costly treatment equipment.
In response, Dr. Cindy Skrukrud, Clean Water Advocate for the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter, released the following statement:
“Overloading our waters with excess nutrients is a major problem in Illinois, and this agreement that we must act together to address it is an important step toward solutions that will protect our drinking water and wildlife. Too many of our rivers, lakes, and streams are choking on unhealthy explosions of algae that feed on nutrient pollution from cities, suburbs, and farm fields.
“We welcome this historic agreement with farmers, local governments, businesses, and boaters to use science-based approaches to clean up these problems. Today is only the beginning, but when we fully enact this strategy, we will protect our drinking water and create good jobs building the infrastructure we need to improve our water supply for our environment and for our health. We are eager to work with partners throughout the state to take the necessary steps outlined in the strategy to clean up our waterways.”
Dr. Cindy Skrukrud serves as a member of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy Policy Working Group that provided input on the strategy document and will guide its implementation.
The final version of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and additional information is available at: http://www.epa.illinois.gov/topics/water-quality/watershed-management/excess-nutrients/nutrient-loss-reduction-strategy/index.
Illinois Sierra Club Blog 