Indiana’s clean water funding set to double
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Over $2 million dollars is headed toward the Clean Water Indiana initiative after the State Soil Conservation Board (SSCB) approved an allotment that doubles its 2022 total.
CWI was created to provide assistance to landowners and conservation groups looking to support efforts to reduce nonpoint water pollution. This could come in the form of education, technical assistance, training and cost-sharing programs.
The increase was anticipated after the Indiana General Assembly greenlit the allotment increase during the 2023 legislative session. The increase will be used to fund more local projects and programs.
The initiative expects the number of requests to outnumber funding, and typical projects are cost-share programs for on-farm conservation best management practices, direct landowner technical assistance staff and education programs.
“The Clean Water Indiana grants go a long way in ensuring Hoosier landowners and local soil and water conservation districts have the funding they need to complete critical water projects,” Brad Dawson, Clean Water Indiana grant committee member, said in a news release. “Each year it is amazing to see the types of projects brought to us for funding, and we notice that they are located all across the state, which in turn helps the waterways statewide.”
The SSCB said the grantees are typically some of the state’s 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, along with other conservation organizations. The board is currently accepting applications for projects up to three years in length, and applications are due by Sept. 8 at 12 p.m. ET.