Sixty-two percent of the EPA-assessed streams in Illinois are rated as good in terms of water quality. Most of Illinois' streams are small tributaries that lead to larger streams and rivers. Many start with headwaters on private property as drainage ways in farm fields or start in urban areas, where they may appear more like stormwater drainage structures.

Regardless of the source of the stream, the use of best management practices, or BMP's, to control pollution from sediment, nutrients and other pollutants is critical to the protection of our state's water resources. The need for and the use of such BMP's in rural and urbanizing areas was the topic the recent University of Illinois Extension teleconference for local officials and other interested citizens on September 20, 2007.

Part of the focus of the teleconference discussion was the change in water quality as areas go through transition from rural to urban areas. In urban areas, as impervious surfaces start to approach 30 % of the watershed, there has been substantiated correlated reductions in water quality, both nationally and in Illinois. Part of the reason for lower water quality is the potential high rate of delivery of contaminants through concrete stormwater sewer systems directly into water resources and the increased volume of water going into the waterways.

Although agricultural areas face challenges, especially from sedimentation, there is also more ability for water to infiltrate into the soil and the sediment that does leave the farm field usually does not have as direct of a conduit to the stream as in the case of urban storm sewer systems. For one such agricultural practice, research indicates that no-till conservation farming practices can increase water infiltration beyond the levels of traditional tillage. Rain runoff volumes, velocities and soil erosion are all reduced according to Purdue University data.

In urban settings, reducing the impacts of impervious surfaces by using practices such as pervious pavers, naturalized detention areas with deep-rooted plants, rain gardens and infiltration bio-swales are recommended. The use of rain gardens in individual home yards and their impact on stormater runoff is the focus of a research project in the Chicago area by the University of Illinois College of Engineering. During the teleconference, Dr. Arthur Schmidt from the college discussed that effort as well as some of the issues in documenting the use of the recommended BMP's vs. the use of more traditional stormwater control practices in urban areas. NEMO, the Non-point Education for Municipal Officials program, was also highlighted as one resource that can help local officials understand the cause and effect of these various practices.

In either landscape setting, BMP's that promote infiltration, reduce water runoff and control soil erosion can help reduce and possibly eliminate contamination of streams and lakes and help reduce the need for costly remediation efforts.

For further information regarding these issues or the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources Management team, contact Susan Meeker, Extension Educator, NRM at the East Peoria Extension Center at smeeker@uiuc.edu or John Church, Extension Educator, NRM at the Rockford Extension Center at churchj@uiuc.edu.

- John Church, Extension Educator, Natural Resources Management, Rockford Center

Many local governments involve citizens in gathering and disseminating information about various programs and services. Although local governments create these advisory boards for a variety of reasons, they have similar responsibilities, such as to:

Provide advice to the unit of local government it serves. This is probably the primary role of advisory boards. Many times the advisory board acts as an independent fact finder, relatively free of influence by interest groups. Advisory boards analyze details and makes recommendations. As a result, the governing body doesn't have to spend time on details and can handle more issues at a higher plane of discussion.
Create community consensus. The advisory board may hold a series of public hearings or other information-gathering meetings. The local government, through the advisory board, may improve public relations by linkage with civic, business, and community groups, as well as individuals.

Offer technical assistance. Advisory boards may gather data on specific subjects that are technical or extremely detailed, or in other ways outside the competencies of the governing body.

Comply with Federal, state, or local requirements. Occasionally, grant monies allocated to governmental bodies require public participation in planning and spending the grant.

Study and recommend relevant policies for specific programs. Advisory boards can provide an additional and perhaps a more objective source for evaluating programs and policies. Advisory boards can also help mobilize local leadership for activities proposed.

Buffer the elected body. Advisory boards may be created to temporarily shield the elected officials from public outcry over an explosive issue. The elected officials may want more time to learn all the relevant facts before making a decision. An advisory board may also be asked to float a "trial balloon" to start a community dialogue about a controversial issue. This allows individuals other than elected officials to lead the discussion.

Provide a talent pool from which future candidates may run for elective office. Advisory board members will get a good sense of how a governmental body operates and gain valuable experience in working with the public.

The potential for an advisory board to assist will depend on the resources and capacities of the advisory board members, as well as the ability (and willingness) of the governmental body to share information.

Local governments that rely on advisory boards have learned that the key to maximizing the benefit of advisory board is to provide clear "job descriptions" for the task, including information about regulations the advisory boards must follow, as agents of the public body.

This information is excerpted from a University of Illinois Extension publication: Help! I Have Been Appointed to an Advisory Board: Guidelines for Local Government Advisory Boards. Copies may be obtained from: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/lgien/resources.html or by calling Publications Plus at 1-800-345-6087.

- Jeri Marxman, Extension Specialist, Public Policy