Illinois Land Conservation Act of 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Conversion of Joliet Army Ammunition Plant to
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
Title II: Other Real Property Disposals Involving Joliet
Army Ammunition Plant
Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions
Illinois Land Conservation Act of 1995 - Title I: Conversion of Joliet Army Ammunition Plant to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - Ratifies the proposals generally identified by the land use plan approved by the Joliet Arsenal Citizen Planning Commission on May 30, 1995. Transfers the portion of land from the Joliet Arsenal constituting the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie to the Secretary of Agriculture. Provides that the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of Agriculture shall both maintain security for designated portions of the area.
(Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of the Army to: (1) transfer the designated portions of Arsenal land to the Secretary of Agriculture within six months of the Act's enactment; and (2) retain jurisdiction over any real property at the Arsenal which may be used for actions required under any environmental law to remediate contamination or conditions of noncompliance.
(Sec. 103) States that any liability or responsibility of the Secretary of the Army under environmental laws shall not transfer with the transfer of Arsenal property. Orders any Federal department or agency with hazardous materials at the Arsenal to pay for the cost of cleanup.
(Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Prairie on the date of the transfer of portions of the Arsenal to be managed for National Forest Service purposes. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate Federal, State, and local governments, private organizations, and corporations.
(Sec. 105) Prohibits the construction of roads through the Prairie. Specifies terms and conditions for special use authorizations for agricultural purposes. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to charge user fees and to waive such fees for certain individuals.
(Sec. 106) Provides special disposal rules for certain land parcels at the Arsenal.
Title II: Other Real Property Disposals Involving Joliet Army Ammunition Plant - Provides that the Secretary of the Army shall convey certain land parcels at the Arsenal to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for use as the Joliet National Cemetery.
(Sec. 202) Designates the transfer of a portion of the Arsenal to Will County, Illinois, for use as a landfill. Permits the U.S. Government to maintain a reversionary interest in the property for a five-year period if the County fails to meet the conditions provided for the land transfer.
(Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary of the Army to transfer a portion of land at the Arsenal to the State of Illinois for economic redevelopment purposes. Conditions the receipt of the land upon the Governor of the State of Illinois establishing a redevelopment authority to oversee the economic development. Permits the U.S. Government to retain a reversionary interest in the land for 20 years.
Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides that this Act does not alter any requirements to be carried out in compliance with existing environmental laws.
For Further Action See S.1124.
- Agriculture Committee
- Armed Services Committee
- Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee
- Energy and Commerce Committee
- Forestry, Resource Conservation and Research Subcommittee
- Military Installations and Facilities Subcommittee
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
- Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee