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Streams and Open Waters Campaign

Illinois Streams and Open Waters

This Campaign aims to provide a roadmap for conserving Species of Greatest Conservation Need and their habitats within streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, artificial impoundments, Lake Michigan, aquatic caves, and spring natural community types.

More than 190,000 kilometers of streams and rivers, 10,000 artificial impoundments, and 4,050 square kilometers of Lake Michigan occur within Illinois.

Objectives

  • Maintain or create natural vegetation buffers of an appropriate Natural Community Type around all streams, lakes, and ponds on publicly-owned properties.
  • Delineate groundwater contribution zones for all aquatic cave and  spring natural communities.
  • Implement conservation practices that maintain or enhance Natural Communities and Native Species on all state-owned lands used for agriculture to serve as a model for conservation.