Kosciusko Among Counties Receiving Clean Water Funds
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the State Soil Conservation Board recently distributed $910,000 to 91 Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout the state.
Kosciusko County is eligible for $10,000.
Each year, through the Clean Water Indiana program, ISDA and the SSCB provide a match of up to $10,000 to those SWCDs who receive funding from a local governmental entity. These matching funds are used by SWCDs to leverage local funding to address local natural resource concerns.
The local model of conservation, in its 75th year in Indiana, allows SWCDs to work with local land users to implement voluntary conservation practices and technologies that conserve soil, improve water quality, and enhance related natural resources. More information about the Clean Water Indiana Program can be found at http://in.gov/isda/2379.htm.
The SSCB administers the Clean Water Indiana Fund, which is a water quality-related erosion and sediment reduction program that is derived from a portion of cigarette tax revenue (IC 6-7-1-28.1). The SSCB also provides guidance and assistance to the state’s soil and water conservation district leaders as they provide local leadership in the protection of Indiana’s soil and water resources. More information about the SSCB can be found at http://in.gov/isda/2361.htm.
Part of Multi-County Grant
A Clean Water Indiana Grant was awarded to Miami, Kosciusko and Wabash County SWCDs to provide technical assistance to the middle Eel River Watershed. The project cost is $75,000. The project dates are May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2017.
Since 2009, the three SWCDs have been an integral part of a comprehensive effort to improve water quality of the Middle Eel River through partnerships with Manchester University, NRCS, Indiana DNR, IDEM and a diverse group of land owners and community partners.
In an effort to continue effectiveness of on-ging efforts, established from a 2012 CWI grant, an increase in technical assistance has been proposed to increase efficiency for district conservationist and the watershed coordinator. This proposed holistic approach to soil and water conservation and water quality monitoring will serve and has served as a model for other SWCDs as they search for protocols and direction to help standardize efforts across watersheds.
Manchester University will provide support with educational efforts, such as river clean-up events.