The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the State Soil Conservation Board awarded $2,313,287 in matching grant funds to 26 projects within soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) and soil health organizations through the Clean Water Indiana program.
The Clean Water Indiana program is managed by ISDA’s Division of Soil Conservation and funded by a portion of the state’s cigarette tax. The program, led by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), provides financial assistance to landowners and conservation groups that are working to reduce runoff from non-point sources of water pollution, whether it’s on agricultural land, urban areas or eroding streambanks.
The La Porte County Soil and Water Conservation District was awarded $259,570 which will focus on native habitat for the pollinators stewardship program. It will help with participant reimbursements including land prep and planting material and native vegetation management, retaining a full-time county conservationist as project lead, technical support and staff/ participant educator, hiring two seasonal restoration management technicians for its vegetation management/invasive species control efforts, and purchasing necessary equipment for restoration management activities that will all be required to meet its project goals.
The Marshall County and St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation Districts will receive $86,250 which will fund a cost share program through the districts for invasive species removal. The land would be managed by the applicant who would agree to follow set guidelines. Three-year programs would be used for the 10 applications for 10 acres or over of woodlands, and the management plans for under 10 acres could be more flexible, depending upon the ability of the landowner’s desires and ability to assist/participate.
