Purpose: Animal wastes need to be managed correctly or the pollution of ground water and/or surface waters is possible. The SWCD recognizes the importance of manure and soil sampling for completing a nutrient management plan.

Program: The SWCD will pay 50% of the cost of soil sampling, manure sampling and/or the completion of a nutrient management plan by a Certified Agronomist or Crop Advisor. The SWCD’s funding will not exceed $500/year for each producer.

Requirements: The application must be approved prior to any purchase or signed agreement. The number of soil samples will not exceed a 2.5 acre grid pattern and the cost share per sample will not exceed $6.00. A maximum of two manure samples will be allowed from any one pit or stacking facility. A manure management plan meeting the requirements of NRCS or the State Confined Feeding Law must be completed to receive funds.

Purpose: To demonstrate the construction of bio-engineered slope protection for lake and stream banks. Projects will be completed on lands owned or controlled by Homeowners Associations and units of government.

Program: The SWCD will cost share 50% for the construction and establishment of bio-engineered slope protection for lake and stream banks. The maximum cost for these practices shall be $30/ft for bio-engineered slope protection and $40/ft for bio-engineered slope protection with a forested buffer. The SWCD payment per project for these practices will not exceed $2000 for bio-engineered slope protection or $4000 for the for bio-engineered slope protection with a forested buffer.

Requirements: The application must be approved prior to any purchase or signed agreement. The bio-engineered slope protection with or without the forested buffer must meet the NRCS program requirements. Payment will be made after the practice is established and it must be maintained for a minimum period of ten years.

Purpose: Individual property owners who want to protect their property from stream bank erosion must often apply for a DNR-Construction in the Floodway Permit. Smaller landowners often feel this permit poses a significant burden. The SWCD wants the property owners to conform to state law while controlling erosion on their property.

Program: The SWCD will pay for engineering and permit fees to attain a Construction in a Floodway Permit for a stream bank erosion problem not to exceed $2000.

Requirements: The application must be approved prior to any purchase or signed agreement. The erosion control project must be completed and approved before payment is made for the permit.

Purpose: There are many rural housing sites that are too small to farm and too big to mow. The SWCD supports the addition of woodland and wildlife habitat, especially on these 3-10 acre tracts.

Program: The SWCD will pay 50% of the cost to establish woodland or wildlife habitat on tracts that exceed 3.5 acres, or on smaller tracts where the practice will expand an existing woodland or wildlife area. The SWCD payment will not exceed $2500 and the cost per acre shall not exceed $500/ac. Projects that apply for the federal Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program which do not receive federal funding will be given first priority each September. Projects that simply improve the recreational or aesthetic amenities of urban developments will not qualify.

Requirements: The application must be approved prior to any purchase or signed agreement. Payment will be made after the practice is established. The plantings must meet NRCS specifications, exceed 0.5 acres in size and be maintained for a minimum of ten years.

Purpose: Livestock that have access to our streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs or other water bodies pollute the water and cause additional shoreline erosion. It is important to exclude livestock from water bodies and maintain a vegetative filter strip.

Program: The SWCD will pay 50% of the cost to install a fence that will exclude livestock from a water body. The SWCD funding will not exceed $2500 for each operator. A vegetative filter strip will be installed between the fence and the water body.

Requirements: The application must be approved prior to any purchase or signed agreement. The filter strip and fencing will meet NRCS requirements. The fence must be maintained for a minimum period of ten years.

Purpose: The SWCD believes that a well-balanced outdoor educational facility is a valuable tool for helping students to develop an appreciation and sense of responsibility for our natural resources.

Program: Matching grants of up to $2000 are available to develop outdoor classrooms for qualifying projects.

Requirements: The application must be approved prior to any purchase or signed agreement. Any school or other qualifying entity in Hamilton County, Indiana is eligible to apply. A complete list of grant application requirements is available to all interested parties.

Purpose: Abandoned wells of any kind are virtual arteries to our valuable ground water supplies. If not properly capped these wells pose a potential risk to contamination of underground aquifers. The SWCD recognizes this threat and provides incentive for landowners to cap their abandoned wells.

Program: This program has two areas of emphasis: Abandoned Oil/Gas Wells & Abandoned Water Wells. Landowners who have abandoned wells in either category can apply for financial assistance to have them properly closed and sealed. Details for each program are as follows:

1. • Capping Abandoned Oil/Gas Wells – The SWCD will pay 75% of the total cost, up to a maximum of $1500, to properly cap eligible gas & oil wells.

2. • Capping Water Wells – The SWCD will pay 50% of the total cost, up to a maximum of $500, to properly cap eligible water wells.

Requirements: The application must be approved prior to any purchase or signed agreement. Contractor must follow all approved guidelines per the Hamilton County Well Capping Ordinance. Payment will be made after the completed project has been inspected and approved.

Purpose: To improve water quality through the establishment of forested buffers along water bodies.

Program: Cost-share funds from HHRC&D are available to landowners who wish to establish forested buffer plantings along streams, ponds, lakes, and wetlands. Qualifying projects can receive up to 75% reimbursement for the costs required to establish these buffers.

Requirements: The application must be approved prior to any purchase or signed agreement. All projects must be located in the Upper White River Watershed. The establishment of riparian areas will meet NRCS requirements.

Purpose: To protect and/or establish forested riparian buffers along the White River.

Program: Funds from the White River fish kill settlement are available to purchase permanent easements along the White River and establish permanent vegetation where needed. The minimum width is 100 ft. larger areas of floodplain will be considered.

Requirements: The land will be appraised and surveyed to the satisfaction of both the landowner and the WRRF trustees before the easement is signed and payment is made. The SWCD will be responsible for contracting the vegetation establishment. The landowner maintains control of the property, has responsibility for liability, and pays the taxes.