PLUMMER ON SB771 4/15/24 Environmental
activists are trying to score a win in Springfield at the expense of the
private property rights of the people of Illinois, according to State Senator
Jason Plummer. The controversy involves Senate Bill 771, which seeks to grant
the state broad, sweeping authority over potential wetlands, authority that was
taken away from the federal government via a Supreme Court ruling. “This
legislation isn’t about protecting wetlands, it’s about empowering the state to
be able to come in and tell you what you can or can’t do on your property,”
said Senator Plummer. “If this becomes law, it will have a massive negative
impact on farmers, the construction industry, anyone looking to build a home,
and all private property owners.” Senate
Bill 771 was filed by Democrats following a recent Supreme Court decision,
Sackett v. EPA, which said that the federal EPA had overreached with their
wetlands rules under the controversial “Waters of the US.” This
legislation would grant the state power to determine what is or isn’t a
wetland, and then empower them to create significant regulations and
restrictions for what is done on the property. Violations of the act could be
fined $10,000 per day. The legislation also creates new permitting rules,
which could allow for long, and costly legal proceedings when property owners
are trying to improve their land. It would also allow a potentially continuous
and never-ending process where anyone could appeal any approved permits. Many
organizations, especially ag-related groups, have come out strongly against the
legislation, but Plummer says that the negative impact of the proposal would
likely be felt by many homeowners and businesses as well. “This
legislation is absurd, and if it becomes law, it will just be one more reason
that people choose not to build a home or start a business in Illinois,” said
Plummer. Senator
Plummer encourages those who are concerned about the legislation to contact
their own State Senator and Representative.