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Apply Now for Grant Funding to Improve Stormwater, Create Jobs
Posted: October 15, 2009

DES MOINES — The DNR began taking applications Thursday for a new grant program aimed to help improve urban water quality while also creating jobs for Iowans.

Governor Chet Culver and the DNR are encouraging cities, schools, businesses and other groups to apply for the I-JOBS Green Urban Stormwater program. I-JOBS, the Culver-Judge job and infrastructure initiative, includes $80 million in funds for water quality and environmental projects.

Announced in September, the I-JOBS Green Urban Stormwater grant program has more than $1.4 million to help Iowa organizations design and build post-construction green urban stormwater practices.

Urban green stormwater practices, such as bioswales, rain gardens and permeable pavement, help slow and filter rain water as it runs off urban surfaces. As it runs across lawns and pavement, stormwater can pick up pollutants like soil, fertilizers, pet waste and oil. Rain water washes into storm sewers, which dump the water into a local stream or lake without any treatment.

The DNR will give special consideration to applications from the Cedar and Iowa river basins, which were both heavily hit by the 2008 floods.

To apply, visit www.iowadnr.gov/rfp.html and click on “I-JOBS Improved Green Urban Stormwater Best Management Practices.” Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2009.