East Alton hearing planned over sportsmen concerns with Farm Bill

SPRINGFIELD – The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partners, in cooperation with the Illinois Conservation Foundation, has scheduled three public forums entitled “Illinois Sportsmen’s Guide to the 2018 Farm Bill.”

The purpose of the forums is to help sportsmen learn about federal Farm Bill conservation programs that are considered important to the future of fish and wildlife habitat, and to hunting and fishing in Illinois.

According to an analysis by the Partners organization, if Congress fails to re-authorize important Farm Bill conservation provisions in 2018, Illinois stands to lose up to 900,000 acres of wildlife habitat enrolled in programs like the Conservation Reserve Program, and more than 16,000 acres of hunting and fishing access funded under the Farm Bill through the Illinois Recreational Access Program. Farm Bill programs also affect downstream water quality in Illinois rivers, lakes and streams.

“The 2018 Farm Bill will have a big impact on Illinois,” said Eric Schenck, executive director of the Illinois Conservation Foundation. “These forums are a chance for sportsmen to learn what is at stake and how to make their voices heard in Washington, D.C.”

The following Sportsmen Farm Bill forums are open to the public:

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, Conference Room, 1 Confluence Way, East Alton

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Headquarters), Lakeview Conference Room B-C, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Gateway Building, Conference Room, 200 NE Water St., Peoria

To register for a Farm Bill forum and to download a copy of the “Illinois Sportsmen’s Guide to the 2018 Farm Bill,” go to www.ILCF.org.

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)(3) coalition of conservation organizations, grassroots partners and outdoor related businesses, the main goal of which is enhancing conservation and preserving access for hunters and fishermen.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) conservation organization dedicated to conserving Illinois parks, fish and wildlife areas, and natural habitats, and maintaining Illinois outdoor heritage traditions.