To improve watershed projects and water quality in Iowa, a new planning assistance program has been developed. This program, the Watershed Development and Planning Assistance Grants Program, allows Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and other local watershed groups to obtain assistance in evaluating watersheds and developing quality watershed projects.

Under the program, “watershed planners” with expertise in developing watershed projects will be made available to assist your SWCD or local watershed group develop a plan for your watershed. In addition, financial assistance may be offered to support public information activities and other planning efforts. Once the planning is complete, a draft watershed plan will be developed. This plan can then be used to develop funding applications and, once funded, guide implementation of your watershed project.

Resources and Information

• How to apply for Watershed Development and Planning Assistance Grants (*.pdf)
• Watershed Project Planning Protocol: A step-by-step Technical Guide (*.pdf)
• Other funding information
• Organizing a watershed improvement project

Resources for Watershed Planners
Presentations from Jan. 30, 2007 training meeting:(*.pdf files)

• Meeting agenda
• Nine step planning protocol
• Selecting the Right Alternative
• Involving Stakeholders when Evaluating Alternative BMPs
• Formulating Alternatives
• Interpretation of GIS and RASCAL Data
• What level of assessment is expected?
• Watershed Assessment Tools
• Telling Your Story Through a Watershed Plan Funding Application
• Making Sense of all the Work

Agencies supporting this program are the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Division of Soil Conservation (DSC) of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Additional information on creating a watershed project is available from the DNR or your regional Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship - Division of Soil Conservation (DSC) regional coordinator.

• Steve Hopkins, DNR Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator
  (515) 281-6402
  Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov
  
  

Bob Waters, DSC Coordinator for western Iowa (712) 243-2913 ext. 207 or Bob.Waters@iowaagriculture.gov Jeff Tisl, DSC Coordinator for northeast Iowa (563) 422-6201 or Jeff.Tisl@iowaagriculture.gov Vince Sitzmann, DSC Coordinator for southeast Iowa (515) 242-6008 or Vince.Sitzmann@iowaagriculture.gov