News

Improving impaired watersheds

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for funding to improve three impaired watersheds in Indiana.  Assistant State Conservationist for Farm Bill Programs Jill Reinhart says the selected watersheds were identified with help from state agencies, partners, and the NRCS State Technical Committee. 

Through the National Water Quality Initiative, eligible producers in Silver Creek, Ell Creek, or Eagle Creek Reservoir watersheds will invest in voluntary conservation actions to help provide cleaner water for their communities.  All three watersheds are included on the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s impaired water body list due to pollution from excess nutrients and also include significant acres of land that NRCS classifies as highly erodible.

The Silver Creek watershed is located within the larger Eel watershed and lies within portions of Fulton, Kosciusko, Miami, and Wabash counties in northeastern Indiana. The Ell Creek watershed is located within the larger Patoka watershed and lies solely within Dubois County in southwestern Indiana. The Eagle Creek watershed is located within the larger Upper White River watershed and lies within portions of Boone, Hendricks and Marion counties in central Indiana.

Reinhart says the National Water Quality Initiative is an opportunity to target Farm Bill funds to small watersheds to try to saturate the watershed with conservation.  She adds they are working with partners to focus the funds in areas where we can really make a difference in water quality. 

All applications for funding consideration must be received by April 19, 2013.  A link can be found HERE.