The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) was conceptualized to limit nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, from entering Illinois waterways. An excess of nutrients in Illinois rivers flows downstream, making its way to the Gulf of Mexico and causing low-oxygen zones that cannot sustain aquatic life.

The strategy aims to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen loads originating in Illinois by 45%. The interim targets include a 15% decrease in nitrate-nitrogen and a 25% decrease in total phosphorus by 2025.

The NLRS primarily targets three key sectors—agricultural, point source (municipal sewage and industrial wastewater treatment facilities), and urban stormwater – for nutrient reduction. In its initial assessment in 2015, the strategy identified water quality conditions, determined critical watersheds, recommended reduction practices for each sector and proposed scenarios to achieve the reduction targets.

The statewide plan is updated every two years through biennial reports, the latest being the 2023 biennial report. Funding is a significant challenge in accelerating the implementation of nutrient loss reduction practices. This blog post explains some available grants and cost-sharing program funds to support the nutrient reduction strategy across Illinois. 

Available funding and incentives under the Illinois Nutrient Reduction Strategy

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides $60 million, distributed as $12 million per year for five years, to fund actions that support the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force's Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan. The federal and state funding initiatives under the plan have helped communities adopt new conservation practices and meet regulatory requirements.

The following table highlights some available funding and incentives for point sources, non-point sources and the urban stormwater sector under the nutrient reduction strategy. 

Funding and incentives under the Illinois Nutrient Reduction Strategy

Agricultural sector: Environmental quality incentives program.   The federal program offers financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers who co-invest in conservation practices to deliver environmental benefits, including reducing soil erosion and sedimentation and improving soil health.  Conservation reserve program.   The program partners with landowners and operators and offers federally funded cost-share assistance, annual rental payments and incentives in exchange for establishing and maintaining grass, wetland and tree-based practices over contracts spanning 10 to 15 years. National water quality initiative.  Under this federal program, eligible producers adopt voluntary conservation practices to contribute to cleaner water in impaired watersheds where federal investments can improve water quality. Fall covers for spring savings/cover crop premium discount program.   The state program is designed to promote planting additional acres of cover crops not covered by other state or federal incentives. Eligible applicants can receive a $5 per acre premium discount on the following year’s crop insurance invoice for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program.

Point source sector: Water pollution control loan program.   It is a low-interest loan program offered by the Illinois EPA through the state revolving fund. The program allocated $191.8 million to 13 projects to reduce total phosphorus loads.

Urban stormwater sector: Green infrastructure grant opportunities (GIGO). The Illinois EPA administers the $25 million GIGO program to support green infrastructure best management practices. Such practices, including evapotranspiration and filtering, harvesting, and reusing precipitation and soil percolation, help decrease stormwater runoff into Illinois waterways. Illinois EPA’s section 319 grant program. The program funds local governments and other organizations to implement projects that use cost-effective best management practices on a watershed scale. In 2021-22, the program funded 14 new stormwater practice projects. The Illinois EPA cost-share funding has developed 143 watershed-based plans since 2011.

Securing funding for nutrient reduction efforts requires assessing eligibility and timely submission of applications, among other things. Partnering with an expert can help you successfully navigate each step of the funding process.

Partner with Fehr Graham​

At Fehr Graham, our experience and expertise in wastewater engineering, watershed planning, and stormwater management help communities reduce nutrient pollution and improve soil quality.

We can help develop and implement a nutrient reduction strategy for your community by:

• Guiding Nutrient Assessment Reduction Programs (NARPs) implementation to optimize nutrient reduction measures.
• Identifying cost-effective solutions for nutrient reduction.
• Helping secure funding for strategy implementation.

With Fehr Graham, you can be assured of the successful development and execution of nutrient loss reduction strategies – from inception to implementation. 

Karoline Qasem, PhD, PE, PMP, is a powerhouse in water resources engineering. She specializes in watershed, water quality, hydrodynamic modeling, regulatory permits, nutrient criteria development, watershed planning and stormwater management. Her groundbreaking research, particularly at the interface of environmental engineering and ecology, has revolutionized our understanding of urban streams. Reach her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..