Section 525 ILCS 25/3 - DefinitionsAs used in this Act.
(a) "Administrative Framework Plan" means the plan developed by the State to administer and implement the requirements of this Act.(b) "Agency" means the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.(c) "Comprehensive lake management" means an action resulting from lake management strategies and plans that address all potential causes of lake degradation, including factors situated both in the lake and within the lake's tributary watershed; and followed by the development and implementation of management strategies which impart long term improvements and benefits for the lake.(d) "Diagnostic and Feasibility Study" means the gathering of data to document the existing and potential sources of pollution and to determine the limnological, morphological, demographic, and other pertinent characteristics of an inland lake and its associated watershed; and the analysis of this information to determine the most appropriate method for improving or preserving the quality of the lake and to determine the need for a Long Term Restoration and Preservation Project or a Water Quality Maintenance Program.(e) "Lake" means any inland lake as recognized by the Agency other than Lake Michigan, to which the public has continuing and regular access.(f) "Lake Owner" means the owner or owners of any inland lake which possess the legal authority for a given lake to perform Diagnostic and Feasibility Studies and to enact comprehensive lake management through the implementation of Long Term Restoration and Preservation Projects and Water Quality Maintenance Programs.(g) "Long Term Restoration and Preservation Project" means an implementation of lake and watershed management plans as developed under the Diagnostic and Feasibility Study which will provide for long term restoration benefits and long term preservation of the lake's water quality.(h) "Monitoring" means programs to scientifically document the existing quality of a lake and the potential sources of pollutants which might lead to the lake's degradation or reduced environmental and cultural values.(i) "public education" means programs and instruments designed to improve the general public's understanding of the causes of lake management problems, alternatives for lake restoration and protection, and the processes by which comprehensive lake management strategies can be effectively implemented.(j) "Research" means programs and studies to scientifically determine the effectiveness of lake restoration and protection techniques, and to develop new and more effective approaches for comprehensive lake management.(k) "Technical assistance" means assistance by State personnel trained in comprehensive lake management, and provided to municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, homeowners associations, lake managers, lake homeowners, and other appropriate organizations and individuals involved with lake management decision-making at the local level; such assistance is likely to be provided to a significant degree by on-site visits to affected lakes and meetings with appropriate organizations and individuals.(l) "Water Quality Maintenance Program" means an implementation of a lake and watershed management program recommended by the Diagnostic and Feasibility Study which provides short-term relief from nuisance aquatic vegetation and algae growth; projects under this program must demonstrate that the proposed maintenance activities would result in attainment of significant public recreational lake use, and that watershed management plans are being implemented to control and reduce incoming nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants.