2019 - Watershed Based Funding Metro (Vermillion River Watershed JPO)
Annie Felix-Gerth
Watershed Based Funding Metro 2019 - (a) $4,875,000 the first year and $4,875,000 the second year are for a pilot program to provide performance-based grants to local government units. The grants may be used to implement projects that protect, enhance, and restore surface water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking water sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan or metropolitan surface water management frameworks or groundwater plans. Grant recipients must identify a nonstate match and may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph.
This purpose of this funding is to implement several projects within the Vermillion Watershed. This includes replacing two imminent health threat septic systems, retrofitting a stormwater pond to reduce phosphorus entering Farquar Lake, installing grade control structures to reduce sediment entering Etter Creek, and installing both urban and agricultural practices estimated to reduce nutrients and sediment entering the Vermillion River. Overall, approximately 60 pounds of phosphorus and 150 tons of sediment are to be reduced in the watershed.
This project has resulted in an estimated annual reduction of 110 pounds of Nitrogen, 107 pounds of Phosphorus, 111 tons of Sediment, and 12 acre-feet of Volume Reduced.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS