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Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association, Inc.
News
EPA Rolls Out New Language on Waters of the US Under the Clean Water Act
On November 17, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the
Army announced proposed revisions to the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States,” which
defines the scope of federal jurisdiction over Clean Water Act permitting.
National LICA Announces New CEO
National LICA is excited to welcome Dennis Mikula, Jr. as our next Chief Executive Officer, beginning January 1, 2026. A longtime LICA leader, industry advocate, and president of a third-generation contracting firm, Dennis brings decades of experience and a strong commitment to contractors nationwide.
Minnesota Denies Agriculture Permit Requirement
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has denied a request from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), a coalition of environmental activist organizations, to adopt a regulatory permitting program requiring agriculture drainage projects to be granted a MWPCA permit before construction of drainage ditches and systems can proceed.
Significant Farm-Level and Public Benefits, New Report from EDF
In the face of increasingly volatile and extreme weather across the midwest, a new report from Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) finds drainage water recycling presents a promising strategy for farmers to manage against variable rainfall, enhance yield resilience and improve farm economics.
Talk Saves Lives: FREE Suicide Prevention Program
Developed in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, this program equips construction workers with tools to recognize warning signs, have real conversations and connect people to life-saving resources.
OSHA's 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards in 2025
OSHA recently revealed its top 10 most frequently cited standards in the 2025 fiscal year using preliminary data. This information is valuable for construction employers, as it helps them identify common exposures that affect their workforce and gives them insight to plan their compliance programs.
Little Progress on Finding A Way Forward on Government Shutdown
This week, as the government shutdown passes the 35-day, setting a record for longest shut down in history, little progress has been made in resolving the impasse. Senate Democrats are demanding that Congress address Affordable Care Act subsidies now before they will support a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund government operations.
Minnesota Denies Agriculture Permit Requirement
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has denied a request from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), a coalition of environmental activist organizations, to adopt a regulatory permitting program requiring agriculture drainage projects to be granted a MWPCA permit before construction of drainage ditches and systems can proceed.
Emerging Farm Resiliency Practice Provides Significant Farm-Level and Public Benefits
New economic analysis of drainage water recycling shows the practice can increase crop yields and improve water quality, highlighting the opportunity for public and private co-investment strategies.
Refer A Landowner, Earn Cash
Illinois LICA has partnered with the National Association of Conservation Districts, select Illinois SWCDs, and Ecosystems Services Exchange in mutual support of a pilot project to demonstrate the ability to scale-up conservation drainage practices in the Illinois River Basin to improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and realize crop production benefits that help to support viable and sustainable agriculture.
Illinois LICA Now Offering Custom Flex Tough Delineators
Protect your tile installs and give your customers peace of mind. Illinois LICA is now offering Flex Tough Delineators with custom decals, driver tools, and paint pens. These durable, high-visibility markers enable you to clearly mark tile installation sites and help ensure your work stays protected long after the job is done. Order today and make sure everyone knows where your tile is!
AgTech Innovation Hub Drainage Research Turns into Reality
What if farmers could harness the moisture that falls during the winter season and use it when their crops are lacking water during the growing season — all with the touch of a button.
That’s just what the Automated Drainage Water Management project, backed by the AgTech Innovation Hub, set out to study last year.
Wetlands Efficiently Remove Nitrogen Pollution from Surface Water
Wetlands are an important part of the ecological system, providing a myriad of benefits for people, wildlife, and the environment. They also serve as “nature’s kidneys,” filtering out pollutants from surface water. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign finds that wetlands along the Mississippi River Basin effectively clean up nitrogen runoff from agricultural fields.
OSHA Recordkeeping Guide
The beginning of every year marks the start of OSHA recordkeeping season. Many companies are required to submit specific forms to OSHA and in many cases electronically. Plus, your OSHA 300A summary must be posted in a publicly visible location at your establishment. Get a head-start for next year with this simple OSHA Recordkeeping Guide!
ADMC Statement on MPCA Decision
The Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) appreciates the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) review and decision to deny the recent petition for rulemaking related to the regulation of public drainage system by classifying public drainage projects as a State Disposal System.
Groups File Intent to Sue Vermont Farm Over Drain Tile
Two environmental nonprofits – the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) and Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) have jointly served a Notice of Intent to Sue, dated Oct. 16, against Vorsteveld Farm LLP of Panton, VT.
Free Visual Guides for Smarter Water Management
Download six free infographics from FRATCO that make today’s most effective water-focused conservation practices easy to understand and share — from engineered infrastructure to nature-based practices.
Wetlands Help Remedy Agricultural Pollution. Some Illinois Farmers Are Installing New Ones
Fulton’s family has been farming in Illinois since the 1890s. Fulton, who now grows mostly soybeans and corn, said he thinks a lot about how to protect the land. That explains, in part, why he has created a man-made wetland on his 690-acre property in Livingston County, a method that has been gaining traction as an agricultural innovation.
Optimizing Saturated Buffers for Nitrogen Reduction
Saturated buffers are an innovative conservation drainage practice designed to reduce nitrate losses from agricultural drainage systems. By rerouting tile drainage water through a vegetated buffer area, these systems remove nitrate from the water, significantly improving water quality.
Government Shutdown Continues - Some Construction Projects Paused
The faceoff between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate shows little progress in finding a compromise that would allow the Federal government to reopen shuttered offices as the impasse enters its third week. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) continues to bring the House passed continuing resolution(CR) up for a vote in an attempt to get the eight democrat votes needed to pass the measure.