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DNR to Award Up to $200,000 in New Grant Program to Help Iowans Improve Water Quality Locally
Posted: June 11, 2009

DES MOINES - A new grant program announced today by the DNR offers Iowa groups up to $50,000 to develop plans to improve their local rivers, lakes and streams.

The Watershed Planning Grants, offered by the DNR's Watershed Improvement Program, will help local groups passionate about improving water quality get started. Grant funds go towards developing a Watershed Management Plan, which identifies problems in the watershed and proposes solutions for better water quality. Making changes in the watershed, which is the land that drains to a lake, river or stream, can reduce pollution reaching our waters.

"Thorough, locally-led Watershed Management Plans are consistently the major reason a watershed project is successful," said DNR Director Richard Leopold. "This new grant focuses on helping local groups of Iowans concerned about lakes and streams in their communities. We're excited to give Iowans the resources they need to create sound plans for improving water quality."

Groups can request between $10,000 and $50,000 in a DNR Watershed Planning Grant. The grants will require a 50 percent local match, of which at least 20 percent must be in hard dollars (not in-kind contributions). For example, a group requesting $50,000 must provide a $25,000 local match, with at least $5,000 of the match in hard dollars. Groups must use grant funds to address problems in a lake, stream or river on Iowa's impaired waters list.

The DNR will award up to $200,000 in grant funds this year, according to Steve Hopkins, who coordinates DNR Watershed Improvement grants.

"Our new Watershed Planning Grants provide significantly more money than has ever been available before for watershed improvement planning in Iowa," said Hopkins. "This is a big step forward in making changes in our state's water quality. It will help target resources where they'll have the largest effect."

With a completed Watershed Management Plan, a local group can then apply for additional funds to put the plan in practice.

Applications for Watershed Planning Grants are due Sept. 1, 2009 by 4:30 p.m., Central Standard Time. The DNR will notify successful applicants by Nov. 15.

"We strongly encourage anyone considering applying for a planning grant to take advantage of assistance from our staff," said Hopkins. "We can answer your application questions and review project concepts over phone and e-mail, or we'd be happy to set up an in-person meeting with you."

For application forms, contact information and additional details, visit the DNR's Watershed Improvement Program Web page at http://www.iowadnr.gov/water/watershed/planning.html or contact Hopkins at (515) 281-6402 or Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov.

The Section 319 program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides DNR funding for nonpoint pollution programs, including Watershed Planning Grants.