Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement program is awarding nearly $1.2 million in grants to support 18 lake, river and watershed land treatment projects.
Three grants will address watershed land treatment in Washington County.
- South Fork-Blue River (Washington Co.) – $35,000
- Mill Creek-Blue River (Washington Co.) $25,000
- Twin Creek – Lick Branch (Washington Co.) $35,000Â
The funding is being made available through the DNR’s Lake and River Enhancement program, or LARE. Boat owners pay a LARE fee when they register their crafts with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This user funded program benefits boaters all over the state. The grants allow for the completion of projects that would be difficult for local organizations to fund on their own. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and local sponsors share at least 20% of the cost.
The goal of the projects is to improve water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient inputs, which the DNR says helps fish and wildlife populations and improves recreational opportunities.
According to a press release from DNR, this round of projects will benefit four lakes and nine rivers and streams. In addition, five land-based projects associated with watershed land treatment practices have been funded in coordination with local soil and water conservation districts.