Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Watershed Improvement Review Board has approved seven applications totaling more than $2.36 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 $5 million in funding from the local communities to support these projects. As a result, $7.43 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, 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, 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: