12 IDNR HAS AUTHORITY TO PROTECT WILDLIFE AND AQUATIC LIFE In addition to IEPA efforts to regulate water quality, IDNR is also involved when water quality negatively affects wildlife and aquatic life. According to IDNR Division of Fisheries data, between 2003-2017, the total miles of waterways affected by “pollution-caused fish kills” was 752 miles. During this same time frame, “agriculture” affected 169 total miles of waterways, which amounts to only 22 percent of the total miles affected. (See fig. 6.) For comparison, sources identified as “Industrial” affected the largest number of miles with 392 miles.16 It must be noted that, IDNR did not have specific data on livestock related fish kills, but rather listed agriculture as a whole. ILLINOIS LIVESTOCK FARMERS ARE VOLUNTARILY INVESTING IN THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE The NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) assists farmers in addressing natural resource concerns on their farms by working to develop a conservation plan that meets their goals and vision for the land. This becomes a road map for the farmer and helps them decide which conservation practices best meet their needs. Farmers can apply for financial assistance from EQIP. Applications are ranked based on national, state, and local conservation priorities. The financial assistance covers part of the costs for implementing conservation practices. The farmer must provide the remaining funds, which is typically 25 percent to 50 percent of the total project cost. Transportation 2.78% Industrial 52.12% Municipal 2.02% Other 0.52% Unknown 20.10% 77.53% Non-Agriculture 22.47% Agriculture 4.5% Miles of Illinois Waterways Affected by Pollution- Caused Fish Kills 2003-2017 FY2017 Livestock Related EQIP Practices 19.4% 45.2% 7.5% 9.6% 13.8% Mortality Management Facility Roofs & Covers Manure Facility Closure Manure Storage Facility Manure Transfer Other fig. 6 fig. 6: IDNR, Division of Fisheries, Miles of Water Affected by Pollution-Caused Fish Kills (2003-2017). fig. 7: Illinois NRCS EQUIP data (FY2013-FY2017). $0 $2,000,000 $4,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 $12,000,000 $14,000,000 $16,000,000 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 Total $ obligated in IL 7.5% 45.3% Animal mortality facility Roofs and Covers Waste Facility Closure Waste Storage Facility Waste Transfer Other fig. 7 TOTAL EQIP FUNDING ALLOCATED BY ILLINOIS NRCS