Indianapolis, IN, February 9, 2017 – Jane Hardisty, State Conservationist for Indiana’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that NRCS is accepting applications until March 15 to be considered for second round funding to improve water quality seven counties in northern Indiana.
Dollars are still available for the St. Joseph River Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This project will help improve water quality and strengthen agricultural operations in the St. Joseph watersheds located in parts of Elkhart, LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, Kosciusko, DeKalb and St. Joseph counties.
“We are working with partners to encourage farmers to restore wetlands in critical areas in the St. Joseph River watershed,” Hardisty said. “By targeting RCPP dollars to address important resource concerns we can make a greater impact on the health of streams and lakes in the area.”
This round of RCPP funding comes from the Wetland Reserve Easement Program (WRE) to allow landowners to successfully enhance and protect habitat for wildlife on their land, reduce impacts from flooding, recharge groundwater and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance directly to eligible landowners to restore, protect and enhance wetlands through a permanent or 30-year easement.
"Conservation easements are an important tool to help landowners and partners achieve their goals to protect their land for future generations,” Hardisty said. “NRCS helps guide landowners throughout the easement process.”
All applications for funding consideration must be received by
March 15, 2017.
To learn more about RCPP in Indiana, visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/in/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1248173.
To learn about WRE and other technical and financial assistance available through Indiana NRCS conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or contact your District Conservationist Debbie Knepp at 574-936-2024 Ext. 4.