NRCS Urban & Community Assistance

...balancing community development and natural resource conservation

NRCS

In communities across Illinois--from Chicago and its growing suburbs to downstate rural towns and villages--the needs of residents and those of the environment are intensifying. There is a growing realization that land must be managed in a manner that meets the immediate needs of the community without compromising the long-term health of the environment.

Based on these community concerns, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS, provides assistance to land managers, local units of government, and organized groups and communities throughout Illinois.

Rural and urban communities of all sizes face many issues involving appropriate land use and sustainable development. These often include water quality, stormwater runoff, and erosion control.

With more than 60 years of experience and expertise in the wise use of natural resources, the NRCS works with local community groups and leaders to address environmental concerns and develop innovative solutions that benefit communities while maintaining a quality environment.

By helping to build modern communities in harmony with the natural environment, NRCS helps ensure social, cultural, and economic stability for the future.

Success Through Partnerships
NRCS community assistance serves to improve upon and enhance the role of other organizations and agencies. Working in partnership with Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), local planning commissions, county governments, health departments, park districts, and others, NRCS helps community officials examine and evaluate local land development issues.

Together partners devise sustainable solutions to benefit local people and environments. USDA's Urban Resources Partnerships are excellent examples of partners reaching common goals in Chicago and East St. Louis areas.

NRCS Products & Services

• Service and support through NRCS' network of technical specialists including engineers, biologists, soil scientists, water quality specialists, community planners, and soil conservationists.

• Detailed on-site soil investigations. NRCS identifies soil suitabilities and limitations and prepares interpretative reports to ensure wise use of land and other natural resources. Custom-made reports can reduce future construction problems and minimize development costs.

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS). NRCS can assist in the development of natural resource data layers, such as soils and wetlands, for use in a county level GIS. When combined with other data, a comprehensive profile of a community's natural resources can be created and evaluated.

• Urban soil erosion and sediment control planning and implementation.

• Ecological restoration and construction assistance on remnant agricultural land and highly altered urban environments.

• Water quality planning and installation of resource management systems to protect and improve water quality.

• Community planning. NRCS helps local units of government develop land use plans as well as natural resource protection and zoning ordinances. Recognizing land use suitabilities and limitations in planning and zoning efforts ensures lower public infrastructure and development costs, and a higher quality of life for community residents and businesses.

• Natural resource information and data. NRCS provides information on potential impacts planned development activities may have on soil, water, air, plant, animal, and human resources.

• The Illinois Urban Manual provides guidance for protection and enhancement of urban natural resources and environments. Sections include planning principles and procedures, conservation practice standards, construction specifications, materials specifications, and standard computer aided design and drafting (CADD) drawings.

• Wetland determinations, mitigation, site restoration, and delineation assistance.

• Greenway, stream corridor, and open space planning and management.

• Stormwater management planning.

• Rural and economic development. Working through Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils, NRCS helps rural communities develop economic stability by managing local resources.

• Soil bioengineering. NRCS can select plant materials and vegetative cover designed to improve slope stability and provide increased streambank/shoreline protection.

NRCS products and services that can help you and your community--

• Soils information & interpretations
• GIS technology
• Water quality solutions
• Community planning
• Natural resource consultation
• Illinois Urban Manual
• Soil erosion and sediment control
• Wetland determinations, mitigation, site restorations, & delineations
• Greenway, stream corridor, & open space planning assistance
• Rural and economic development
• Soil bioengineering

Vision Statement

NRCS Community Assistance

To provide Illinois communities, units of government, and other clients
with quality NRCS products and services that balance land development needs with natural resource conservation issues.

This goal is accomplished by a NRCS network of professional
teams working together to address significant community issues.

For more information, call the NRCS or SWCD office near your community!

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C., 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

July 1998

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