B.7. ILLINOIS STATE COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN 
B.7.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ILLINOIS’S PLAN 
Illinois’s Management Plan was written by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources 
and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant in 1999 (available at 
http://www.anstaskforce.gov/State%20Plans/ilansplan.pdf ). The Management Plan has three 
primary goals to prevent new aquatic invasive species (AIS) into the Great Lakes and Mississippi 
River Basin, to limit the spread of established AIS, and to abate impacts by currently established 
AIS. The Plan includes a list of AIS management tasks for state waters. In addition, arguing 
that the costs of AIS to industry and resource production far outweigh the cost of conducting AIS 
management, the Management Plan calls for the commitment of state staff and resources to 
address AIS and implement prescribed management tasks. However, the Management Plan 
leaves specific budgeting for a future work plan. 
B.7.2. CLIMATE CHANGE AND AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES IN ILLINOIS 
Temperatures are projected to increase by 5 tolO°F (2.8 to 5.5°C) in the Midwest region 
throughout the 21 st century. Precipitation is expected to increase by approximately 10 to 30% 
across the region. Increasing temperatures are expected to increase evaporation, triggering a soil 
moisture deficit, reduction in lake and river levels, and more drought-like conditions in much of 
the region. For smaller lakes and rivers, reduced flows are likely to intensify water quality 
issues. In particular, eutrophication of lakes will likely increase due to increases in excess 
nutrient runoff from heavy precipitation events and warmer lake temperatures that stimulate 
algae growth (Easterling and Karl, 2001). 
As water temperatures in lakes increase, significant changes in freshwater ecosystems 
will occur. For example, a shift from cold-water fish species such as trout, to warmer water 
species, like bass and catfish could take place. Warmer waters also may create an environment 
that is more susceptible to invasions by non-native species (Easterling and Karl, 2001). 
B.7.3. THE ILLINOIS PLAN’S CURRENT INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE 
Table B-6 summarizes how the Illinois’s Management Plan addresses and incorporates 
the projected effects of climate change. Illinois’ Management Plan notes that habitat changes are 
imminent and related to AIS, but it does not discuss climate change as a possible cause of 
changes. The Plan is designed to be generally adaptable in a changing environment and allows 
for continuous reassessment of strategies and actions. 
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