Conservation districts awarded $900,000 to improve water quality

INDIANAPOLIS (May 15, 2019) —The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the State Soil Conservation Board awarded more than $900,000 in matching grant funds to Indiana’s 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Each district will receive approximately $10,000, which will be used to support their local conservation efforts.

“Improving water quality takes considerable time, energy, but, especially, resources,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I applaud the State Soil Conservation Board for making this funding available, as well as Indiana’s conservation districts for the work they’re doing to conserve our natural resources.”

The funds were awarded through the Clean Water Indiana program, which is administered by the state’s conservation board. The program 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.

Once received, districts can use the funds to partner with other counties or address specific needs within their jurisdiction. Some examples may include participating in a cost share program, hiring staff, or providing technical assistance, education and training.

“Each district and region has its own set of challenges, when it comes to the natural resource concerns they’re facing,” said Bruce Kettler, ISDA director. “This funding will allow them to expand their efforts, as they develop locally-driven solutions to address these problems.”

Clean Water Indiana is managed by ISDA’s Division of Soil Conservation and funded by a portion of the state’s cigarette tax.

To learn more about the program, click here or visit www.isda.in.gov.