Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed a measure brought by Illinois Farm Bureau requiring wind and solar developers to plan for and repair agricultural damages, including subsurface issues, a legislative priority for the IFB Board.
The bill requires wind and solar projects to file a farmland drainage plan with the county and impacted drainage districts, outlining what the facility will do to repair any subsurface or surface damage as soon as reasonably practicable.
The bill addresses concerns about a law passed in January preventing county ordinances from restricting wind and solar development, as the law was inconsistent with Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreements (AIMA) and it did not include provisions for drainage. It clarifies a vegetative ground cover and vegetative management plan shall follow provisions outlined in the AIMA, unless the landowner negotiates other standards in agreement with the developer.
The bill further clarifies the responsibility of wind and solar facilities in compensating landowners or repairing the damage for crop losses or other agricultural damage caused by drainage issues when the facility was constructed.
The bill is effective immediately.
Source: ilfb.org
Photo Credit: illinois-farm-bureau.
Categories: Illinois, Crops, Rural Lifestyle