Springfield, IL….The Illinois House unanimously adopted a resolution adopted by State Representative Elizabeth Coulson that will increase environmental standards. House Resolution 163 creates a task force to study local government development standards and processes and their effect on watershed, wetlands and floodplains.

“There are a variety of critical issues that must be considered when developing near a watershed or floodplain. We need to ensure that our local governments are following the highest standards possible when they are approving development near our natural resources,” Rep. Coulson said.

The task force will study:

• government development standards and their impact on lands and property owners affected;

• issues like mass grading, drainage, runoff, diversion of flood waters deforestation and elimination of prairie and wetlands; and

• local government zoning authority practices and their interaction with private developers

The task force will report its recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2010. Members will include lawmakers as well as representatives from a statewide organization representing municipal interests, a land conservation entity and a property development entity.

Rep. Coulson has a longstanding record of spearheading legislation that is critical to protecting the environment.

“Residential and commercial development can have a significant impact on floodplain and watershed. We need to be critically aware of these issues so that unintended consequences like flooding and other environmental hazards do not occur,” Rep. Coulson said.