DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are encouraging groups across the state to apply for grant funding to help improve Iowa’s water quality. The grants from IDALS’ Division of Soil Conservation (DSC) and DNR allow groups, such as Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other organizations, to further their local water quality improvement efforts. Watershed and water quality projects help individual Iowans make changes on the land in order to improve the quality of water entering our rivers, streams and lakes. “Individual landowners, organizations, and towns can get assistance from their local Soil and Water Conservation District to improve water quality,” said Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. “Through project grants, landowners can receive technical and financial support to address water quality and watershed issues.” “Through our grants program, we’ve worked with many Iowans over the years to improve their local lake, river or stream,” said Bill Ehm, the DNR’s Water Policy Coordinator. “We’re encouraging new groups to apply, and we look forward to helping more Iowans plan a comprehensive local effort to improve water quality and their communities.” In a joint application process, Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Districts can apply for funding from DNR Section 319, and/or the Water Protection Fund (WPF) and the Watershed Protection Fund (WSPF) from IDALS-DSC. Other groups and organizations are invited to apply for Section 319 funding through the DNR. The deadline for applications is April 1, 2009. The DSC and DNR regional watershed coordinators will work with groups that receive Section 319 grants to complete a Watershed Management Plan, or WMP. These comprehensive plans are designed to help groups meet water quality goals by identifying problems and offering solutions. While WMPs are not required prior to applying for a Section 319 grant this year, the WMP must be completed before the project can receive Section 319 funding. Beginning next year, completed WMPs will be required prior to applying for a grant. The DNR is able to provide these grants annually through funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The grants, made possible through Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act, are often called “Section 319 Grants” and currently fund about 50 projects in Iowa, focusing on impaired waters. The IDALS-DSC is able to provide grants annually through funding from the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program and the state’s Environment First Fund. Currently, 70 watershed and water quality projects in 65 Soil and Water Conservation Districts are supported by these funds. Groups considering applying for a grant can contact Steve Hopkins, DNR watershed improvement coordinator, at (515) 281-6402 with questions and for one-on-one assistance regarding Section 319 grants. Those with questions about WPF or WSPF funding can contact Jim Gillespie, IDALS Field Services Bureau Chief, at (515) 281-7043. More information on grants and watershed improvement is available on the IDALS-DSC Web site at www.iowaagriculture.gov/soilConservation.asp or the DNR’s Web site at http://watershed.iowadnr.gov. - 30 -