DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Watershed Improvement Review Board has approved thirteen applications totaling more than $5.1 million in grants to support projects that will improve water quality in the state.
The grant funds will be matched by recipients, who will provide more than $13.3 million in funding from the local communities to support these projects. As a result, $18.48 million will be going to improve water quality throughout the state.
“These projects are a partnership between state and local organizations that are committed to improving Iowa’s water quality,” Northey said. “These projects will address runoff and drainage, erosion, municipal discharge, flood prevention, and a number of other issues that impact the state’s waterways.”
The approved projects have already completed watershed assessments that identified critical water resource areas and will focus on implementing specific water quality improvements. The projects will start after a grant agreement is signed between the applicant and the Watershed Improvement Review Board.
Soil and water conservation districts, public water supply utilities, counties, county conservation boards, cities, and local watershed improvement committees were eligible to apply. Individual projects could request up to $500,000.
The Watershed Improvement Review Board is comprised of representatives from agriculture, drinking water and wastewater utilities, environmental organizations, agribusiness, and the conservation community along with two state senators and two state representatives.
To receive more information or ask questions, contact Jerry Neppel at 515-281-3599.
The approved grants follow here:
Organization |
Project Length |
Counties |
Grant Amount |
Bear Creek Watershed |
Delaware SWCD |
2 years |
Delaware
|
$347,950 |
Beaver Creek Watershed |
City of Johnston |
2 years |
Polk |
$299,518 |
Fox River |
Fox River Ecosystem Development Inc. |
5 years
|
Appanoose, Davis |
$493,750 |
Hawthorn Lake |
Mahaska SWCD |
4 years |
Mahaska |
$360,900 |
Hewitt Creek Watershed |
Hewitt Creek Watershed Improvement Assoc. |
5 years |
Dubuque |
$482,035 |
Indian Springs Pond Watershed Project |
Allamakee SWCD |
3 years |
Allamakee |
$201,660 |
Little River Lake |
Decatur SWCD |
3 years |
Decatur |
$423,900 |
Lost Creek Watershed |
Lee SWCD |
4 years |
Lee |
$445,800 |
Lytle Creek |
Limestone Bluffs RC&D |
2 years |
Jackson |
$500,000 |
Rathbun Lake Watershed |
Rathbun Land and Water Alliance |
5 years |
Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne |
$491,800 |
Silver Creek |
Clayton SWCD |
4 years |
Clayton |
$365,950 |
Upper Buffalo Creek Watershed |
Buchanan SWCD |
4 years |
Buchanan, Fayette |
$494,569 |
Walnut Creek Watershed |
Poweshiek SWCD |
3 years |
Poweshiek |
$213,000 |
