Illinois Administrative Code › Title 17 - CONSERVATION › Part 1523 - PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION - ECOSYSTEMS PROGRAM › Section 1523.60 - Ecosystem Vision Plan Grants

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a)
			 Ecosystem Partnerships are expected to use sound information based upon good
			 science in developing Vision Plans. Vision Plans will provide guidance on
			 ecosystem-based natural resource protection, maintenance and enhancement and be
			 used to prioritize funding opportunities for further planning and project
			 grants. Subject to sufficient funding, the Department will annually allocate a
			 prescribed dollar amount for the development of Vision Plans by Ecosystem
			 Partnerships. The amount allocated for a Vision Plan Grant shall be
			 commensurate with the needs identified in the scope-of-work. The scope-of-work
			 will provide information consistent with subsection (b) of this
			 Section.
b) The Vision Plan
			 Framework describes the steps that an Ecosystem Partnership needs to take to
			 make sound natural resource planning and management decisions by using good
			 science. It also guides Ecosystem Partnerships through the steps to be taken to
			 develop and organize a Vision Plan document. The Vision Plan Framework
			 specifically provides guidance on the development of a social inventory for the
			 partnership area; development of a cultural resource inventory; assessment of
			 physical and biological natural resource information; identification of issues
			 and concerns; development of a purpose and vision statement; identification of
			 goals, objectives, strategies, and action items; identification of ecosystem
			 based best management practices to help solve identified problems; development
			 of a work plan and implementation strategy; development of a monitoring
			 strategy for tracking plan implementation; encouragement to use volunteer
			 support to conduct physical project monitoring using established protocols;
			 development of a public/stakeholder participation summary and creation of an
			 executive summary.
c) Ecosystem
			 Partnerships interested in developing a Vision Plan must submit a letter
			 requesting consideration for an Ecosystem Vision Plan Grant to the Conservation
			 2000 Administrator. The Conservation 2000 Administrator will review the request
			 and send a Vision Plan Framework application packet to the applicant. The
			 packet will include the Vision Plan Framework, the Program Guidance and other
			 materials that could be used to help guide the planning process. At minimum,
			 every applicant must submit a scope-of-work that addresses tasks outlined in
			 the Vision Plan Framework and that identifies:
1) The purpose.
2) The expected outcomes.
3) The plan development process, including:
			 the tasks required to complete the planning process, members of the planning
			 team, party or parties responsible for writing the plan, and the primary
			 liaison with the Ecosystems Program of the Department.
4) Any data needs.
5) Resource and economic concerns to be
			 addressed, including ecological values, socioeconomic values, and protection
			 and management issues, so far as they may be known.
6) Coordination efforts with other local,
			 regional, or State agencies, institutions, or organizations.
7) Subgrantees or subcontractors.
8) A timetable for project
			 completion.
9) An itemized
			 budget.