The Indiana State Soil Conservation Board (SSCB) has doubled funding for the Clean Water Indiana (CWI) program, which provides financial assistance to landowners and conservation groups to implement conservation practices that reduce nonpoint sources of water pollution. The SSCB also voted to increase funding for other key water quality and conservation programs, including the Indiana Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and the Inflation Reduction Act.
The increased funding for CWI is a result of the Indiana General Assembly's decision to allocate an additional $5 million to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture's (ISDA) Division of Soil Conservation. The CWI grant program will now have a total of $2 million available for funding conservation projects and programs at the local level.
Typical projects that may be funded by CWI grants include cost-share programs for on-farm conservation best management practices, staffing positions for direct landowner technical assistance and district administration, water quality and soil conservation education programs, and more. The SSCB expects grant application dollar requests to exceed the available funding.
The increased funding for CWI is a major victory for water quality advocates in Indiana. The program has been successful in reducing nonpoint source pollution, which is a major source of water pollution in the state. The additional funding will help CWI to continue its important work and make a significant impact on water quality in Indiana.
The SSCB is accepting competitive proposals for targeted projects up to three years in length. Applications are open and are due September 8, 2023 at 12 p.m. E.T. To apply, please visit isda.in.gov.
For more information on soil conservation and water quality initiatives in Indiana, please visit isda.in.gov
Photo Credit: environmental-protection-agency
Categories: Indiana, General