The Watershed Protection Program was enacted in 1999 to provide technical and financial assistance for the development and implementation of local watershed initiatives. Watershed protection projects reduce soil erosion, protect or enhance water quality, provide flood control, andprotect other natural resources. The watershed approach continues to be the most comprehensive, efficient and effective method of resource management.
IDALS Regional Coordinators provide technical assistance and training on watershed development, planning and implementation to soil and water conservation districts and others. New challenges are likely to emerge as watershed planning is continually refined, improved, and implemented long-term; and Regional Coordinators can help guide you through the process.
Planning assistance may be provided to help accurately identify existing problems and issues critical to achieve desired resource management objectives. New technologies continue to improve the data collection and evaluation processes for multi-objective watershed projects. Watershed Development and Planning Assistance Grants are awarded to soil and water conservation districts and their conservation partners to help local leaders inventory, assess, and develop strategies to address watershed problems. The result is more efficient use and productive expenditure of program funds.
Implementation assistance is available through competitive grants. Applicants must address identified environmental issues in a specific watershed. Watershed implementation projects typically leverage technical assistance and financial resources with local resources to improve the targeted watershed.
