EcoCAT was developed to help state agencies, units of local government, and the
public (as project proponents) initiate natural resource reviews for:
These laws require state agencies and units of local governments to consider the
potential adverse effects of proposed actions on Illinois endangered and
threatened species and sites listed on the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory.
EcoCAT can also accept Information Requests for natural resource reviews that do
not trigger government consultation. An information request
DOES NOT fulfill the requirements of Part 1075 or 1090.
NPDES Pesticide Permits
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Instructions
How EcoCAT Works
How to Use EcoCAT
Frequently Asked Questions about EcoCAT
Frequently Asked Questions about Consultation
Endangered and Threatened Species of Illinois: Status and Distribution - Animals
Endangered and Threatened Species List by County
Search EcoCAT Consultations by County/TRS or City
How EcoCAT Works
EcoCAT uses databases, Geographic Information System mapping, and a set of
programmed decision rules to determine if your proposed action may be in the
vicinity of protected natural resources. You receive a natural resource review
report that either:
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Terminates consultation if no resources are in the vicinity; or
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Lists resources that may be in the vicinity and identifies the staff member who
will review the action. After review, staff will either:
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Terminate consultation because adverse effects are unlikely,
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Request additional information, or
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Recommend methods to minimize potential adverse effects.
A species may appear on the resource list more than once when it occurs in
several locations within the project’s vicinity. Also, many
INAI Sites are Nature Preserves, Land and Water Reserves, or
Natural Heritage Landmarks. The sites may overlap, but the legal protections of
each designation differ. Apart from Natural Areas, the boundaries of the other
designations are based on property ownership and may extend beyond the location
of the natural resources.
Keep in mind that “in the vicinity” does not necessarily mean “in the footprint”
or that a resource will be adversely affected by the action. However, the
potential is there and will be evaluated further. By the same token, because
the resource buffers are very general, IDNR may evaluate resources located
farther away if the proposed action or the life history requirements of a
species warrant doing so.
The actual distribution of endangered and threatened species can never be known
with certainty. Because some species are migratory, require very large
territories, or are highly mobile, a natural resource review showing no
protected resources does not guarantee that no T & E species are in the
vicinity of a project. An EcoCAT review reflects the information existing in
the Database at the time of this inquiry, and should not be regarded as a final
statement on the site being considered, nor should it be a substitute for
detailed site surveys or field surveys required for environmental assessments.
If any protected resources are encountered during a project’s implementation,
compliance with applicable statutes and regulations is required.
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How to Use EcoCAT
Information that must be completed in EcoCAT is indicated with a red
asterisk (*).
EcoCAT first asks a series of General Information questions.
How you answer the questions ensures that your project receives the appropriate
environmental review and is assigned to the correct staff member. If you do not
answer all of the questions, the program will not allow you to proceed to the
mapping tool. The questions, with explanations, are provided below.
Q1. Why are you submitting the project to EcoCAT?
If you select the 1st option you are fulfilling the consultation requirements of
the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act and the Illinois Natural Areas
Preservation Act.
If you select the 2nd option, you are only requesting information, not
consultation. The submittal is considered an ‘information request.’ The EcoCAT
report will state whether or not state-protected resources may be in the
vicinity and will list any that are. The project will not be assigned for
review.
The 3rd option should only be selected by federal agencies that are required to
seek comments from state fish & wildlife agencies before authorizing,
funding, or performing a federal action. EcoCAT processes most of these
submittals as information requests, not as consultations. Only submittals for
FERC and USEDA will be assigned to staff if resources are flagged.
If you select the 2nd or 3rd option, you will skip questions 2 and 3 on the
General Information page and proceed directly to the Applicant Information
page.
Q2. Indicate the government unit and type of action that has prompted
consultation.
Only one jurisdictional agency or government can be selected, even though
multiple units of government may be involved. Note that consultation with IDNR
is NOT an authorization. Select "IDNR" ONLY
if IDNR is the agency issuing a permit, providing funding, or performing the
proposed action.
If you choose Local Government you will be asked
to identify the government, e.g. the City of Champaign, and to enter a local
government contact name, address and phone number. There is also a box to check
if the local government is a county highway or local roads department.
If you select State Agency, there will be a
drop-down box for you to identify which agency and, if applicable, which
bureau. You will also be asked to enter an agency contact name, address and
phone number.
Information about the unit of government and the type of action required from
that government ensures that the project receives the applicable review and is
assigned to the appropriate staff.
Q3. Will state technical assistance or funding (including federal funding
through a state agency) support the project?
If you choose “Yes” or “Don’t know,” the project will be
reviewed for wetland impacts to comply with the Interagency Wetland Policy Act
of 1989 (IWPA). You will not receive technical assistance or funding without
this review. Note: compliance with Sections 401 and 404 of the federal Clean
Water Act does not assure compliance with the IWPA.
After you answer the three general information questions, you will move to the
section on Applicant Information. First, you need to
indicate the applicant category to which you belong:
The individual or organization submitting the project to EcoCAT is considered
the Applicant. Required information includes applicant (your company, agency,
etc.), and applicant address. Phone and fax numbers for the applicant are
optional.
After you have submitted a project to EcoCAT for the first time, you can click
the Lookup button to automatically fill in the applicant address. However, you
must enter the applicant name exactly the same way each time. For example, if
you previously entered "ABC Engineering Company", remember to enter the company
name in an identical manner each time. If you enter "ABC Eng. Co." or "ABC
Engineers" a new entry will be made and you will have to enter the address
again.
The same is true for Contact Person. The first time you enter a project
you will select:
Required information includes your name, phone number and e-mail address. Any
communication from IDNR (such as requests for additional information or
correspondence terminating consultation) will be directed to the Contact Person
at the address listed for the Applicant or the phone number listed for the
Contact Person. For subsequent submittals you can choose:
Click your name and the information you previously entered will automatically be
entered in the form.
The section on Project Information asks you to provide a
project name, a brief description of the project, and the project address. You
can also enter a non-IDNR project number here (this number will display on the
EcoCAT report along with the IDNR project number). This section also asks you
to indicate if the project has been submitted to IDNR previously. If it has,
you should enter that IDNR project number so staff can refer to the previous
consultation.
Next is Project Location. First you select the County
where the project will be located, then the Section,
Township, and Range of the site – commonly referred to as “TRS”.
(The correct Meridian will come up automatically when you click the Meridian
button.) You can find the TRS - also known as the Public Land Survey System
(PLSS) information - on standard legal property descriptions, on USGS
topographical maps, and in plat books.
You only need to enter one section number even if the project location lies in
several sections. Once you have entered the TRS, click on “Go to Map Tool.”
When a map of the general location of the project appears, you can either zoom
in or out to find the exact location of your project (instructions are
on-screen). If the map doesn’t appear or is very narrow, check your screen
resolution. It must be set at 1024 x 768 or higher.
Click “Draw” to begin outlining the area of your project. If the project lies in
more than one section, all the sections included in the polygon will be
recorded automatically and listed on the EcoCAT report. When the project is
correctly outlined, click “Submit.”
EcoCAT will return a report for the project that lists any resources found in
the area. If no resources are in the vicinity and you have requested
consultation, the report will terminate consultation and you have completed the
process. If the project was submitted for consultation and protected natural
resources are identified in the area, EcoCAT will assign the project to IDNR
staff for further review. In either instance, make sure you have a copy of the
report. To do this, click the “Print Report” button on the left side of the
screen. An Acrobat dialog box will appear from which you can print and/or save
the report. If the dialog box does not open, turn off all pop-up blockers
or enable popups for “dnrecocat.state.il.us”.
Once you have a copy of your report, you can either click the “Exit EcoCAT”
button or, if you have another project to submit, you can click the “Enter
Another Project” button and start the process again without having to re-enter
Applicant Information.
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Frequently Asked Questions about
EcoCAT
Locating the Township, Range, and Section
How do I submit a large, linear project?
How do I submit a project with multiple sites?
Can I submit an action that requires a Clean Air Act permit?
What if more than one level of government or more than one
agency is involved in a project?
What is "federal agency coordination?"
How do I submit a large, linear
project?
A project area up to five miles (eight kilometers) can be submitted through
EcoCAT. If your project is longer than five miles, you should break it up into
five-mile segments and submit them as multiple projects. When you are in the
mapping tool click the "zoom out" button at the top and then click the map
until you are at the map scale needed to encompass the project area. Then click
the EcoCAT button and draw a polygon around the project area.
Return to EcoCAT FAQs
How do I submit a project with
multiple sites?
If the proposed action is similar at each site and the sites are within one-half
mile, a single polygon can be drawn around the entire area and EcoCAT will
treat it as one project. The results should not differ drastically from
individually considering each site. If the proposed actions vary from site to
site or if the sites are located a long distance from each other, you must
submit multiple consultation requests.
Return to EcoCAT FAQs
Can I submit an action that requires a
Clean Air Act permit?
New Source Review and Prevention of Significant Deterioration actions should
still be submitted to the Department on an Agency Action Report. However, we
encourage those seeking a permit for a major emission source to submit an
Information Request during project planning.
Return to EcoCAT FAQs
What if more than one level of
government or more than one agency is involved in a project?
A submission to EcoCAT can indicate only one jurisdictional Agency or
Government. However, because every Agency or Government has unique powers and
authorities, each unit of government which will authorize, fund, or perform a
proposed action has a legal obligation to consult the Department under Part
1075. Therefore an EcoCAT submission should be made for each Agency or Local
Government involved in the action when EcoCAT indicates a protected natural
resource exists in the vicinity.
When multiple agencies or governments are involved, they have the option, under
Part 1075, of designating one of themselves to act as the "lead agency" for
purposes of consultation. Even if no "lead agency" is designated, once the
Department becomes aware multiple agencies or governments are involved the
Department will attempt to coordinate the resulting consultations.
If EcoCAT indicates no protected resources are known in the vicinity, a copy of
the EcoCAT report may be accepted by Agencies or Governments as an indication
the consultation requirement has been satisfied; however, each Agency or
Government may choose to consult directly.
Return to EcoCAT FAQs
What is "federal agency
coordination?"
Many federal agencies are required to seek the comments and opinions of state
fish & wildlife agencies before authorizing, funding, or performing a
federal action. EcoCAT can provide information on state-listed endangered or
threatened species, wetlands, and Natural Areas. The reviews provided by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are based on historic ranges of species, and are
limited to federally listed T&E species.
Return to EcoCAT FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions
about Consultation
Who has to consult under the Illinois Endangered Species
Protection Act and the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act?
Who MAY consult?
What actions require consultation?
What actions are exempt from consultation?
How is consultation enforced?
What are the consequences of NOT consulting?
How does IDNR evaluate proposed actions that are in the
vicinity of protected resources?
How can I make consultation effective?
What does consultation NOT do?
Who has to consult under the Illinois
Endangered Species Protection Act and the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation
Act?
State agencies or units of local government must consult the Department about
proposed actions that they will authorize, fund or perform. Private parties do
not have to consult, but they are liable for prohibited taking of state-listed
plants or animals or for adversely modifying a Nature Preserve or a Land &
Water Reserve.
Home rule governments may delegate this responsibility, through duly enacted
ordinances, to the parties seeking authorization or funding of the action.
Return to Consultation FAQs
Who MAY consult?
Developers, consultants, planners, and others frequently consult regarding
tentative projects to determine the presence or absence of natural resource
issues. The Department encourages such consultation as most effective, most
economical, and least disruptive.
Return to Consultation FAQs
What actions require
consultation?
Any action that will change existing environmental conditions, i.e. anything
that disturbs the land, water, or air. Examples include:
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construction
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discharge of pollutants or application of chemicals into the air, water, or
land
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dredging any naturally occurring materials
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re-zoning from a non-urban classification to an urban classification (e.g. from
agricultural to residential) or a change from one urban classification to
another on land not used in its entirety for the original classification
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subdivision and other development plats
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infrastructure alterations (utilities, roads, sewers)
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land management
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alteration, removal, excavation or plowing of non-farmed, non-cultivated areas
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altering existing topography
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annexations
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parks, stream, or lake modifications
Return to Consultation FAQs
What actions are exempt from
consultation?
Unless it is evident that they could directly or indirectly affect an endangered
or threatened species or a Natural Area, the following actions are exempt from
consultation:
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mowing within maintained highway rights-of-way
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routine resurfacing and application of oil and gravel to existing roads
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maintenance or repair of existing structures
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actions under a Department-approved management plan undertaken to maintain or
improve natural ecosystem conditions or to re-establish pre-settlement
vegetation conditions (such as prescribed burns, spot application of herbicides
or brush clearing)
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maintenance of existing lawns, yards, and ornamental plantings
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routine cultivation of agricultural lands
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change of zoning requests for land currently zoned, developed, and used in its
entirety for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes
Return to Consultation FAQs
How is consultation enforced?
The consultation requirement may be enforced through a writ of mandamus, which
may be sought by any "affected" person from the circuit court with
jurisdiction.
Return to Consultation FAQs
What are the consequences of NOT
consulting?
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destruction of irreplaceable natural resources
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negative public relations and potential civil litigation
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injunctive action, civil penalties, seizure of property, or criminal
prosecution
Return to Consultation FAQs
How does IDNR evaluate proposed
actions that are in the vicinity of protected resources?
Based on the nature of the proposed action and the nature of the protected
resource, staff will assess the character of the potential adverse impacts and
whether an adverse impact is likely. For listed species, the assessment is
based on the life requirements of the species. The assessment for Natural Areas
and Nature Preserves is much broader, based on potential impacts to natural
communities and the unique features of the Site or Preserve.
Return to Consultation FAQs
How Can I Make Consultation Effective?
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Plan proactively.
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Coordinate planning and development with other municipalities and governments.
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Know the natural resource issues in your area.
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Modernize zoning and subdivision ordinances to enable your government to impose
natural resource protection measures.
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Incorporate resource protection measures into formal and enforceable
agreements, permits, contracts, etc.
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Enforce ordinances, regulations, permit terms, and contract provisions.
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Educate officials, developers, consultants, and the general public about
natural resources and laws protecting them.
Return to Consultation FAQs
What does consultation NOT do?
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It does not result in permits of any kind. Permits must be obtained from the
respective regulatory agency.
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It does not satisfy the requirements of the federal Endangered Species
Protection Act of 1972 and implementing regulations.
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It cannot prohibit or prevent a proposed action.
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It does not preempt, override, reduce or interfere with the powers of local
governments or State agencies.
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It does not address impacts to natural resources which do not enjoy protected
status, except to the extent they entail cumulative indirect adverse effects to
protected resources.
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It cannot protect or conserve listed species, Natural Areas, or Nature
Preserves without the active participation and cooperation of agency and local
officials.
Return to Consultation FAQs
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