Here is a news release about applications selected for funding by the Watershed Improvement Review Board (WIRB). This announcement does not mention how much was given to each applicant ($500,000 is the max for a grant), but the board had $5 million to grant and they distributed about half of it according to the news release. Jane Clark For Immediate Release Contact: Tess Capps Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007 515-281-8606 NORTHEY ANNOUNCES $2.6 MILLION FOR 10 WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE Additional Projects Encouraged to Apply for Funds DES MOINES - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Watershed Improvement Review Board has approved ten applications totaling $2.6 million grants to support projects that will improve water quality in the state. The approved projects focus on implementing water quality improvements and have excellent planning and targeting of critical water resource areas already completed. "Improving and protecting water quality is critical and central to what we do," said Northey. "These projects, which touch sixteen counties, will address issues like runoff and drainage, erosion, municipal discharge, and a number of other problems that can impact water quality." The ten applications that have been approved will provide $7.4 million to match the $2.6 million investment by the State. As a result, these awards will mean a total of $10 million will be invested in water quality improvement projects. Individual awards ranged from $42,000 to $500,000. The projects are now subject to a grant agreement being finalized between the applicant and the Watershed Improvement Review Board. Public water supply utilities, county conservation boards, cities, soil and water conservation districts, and local watershed improvement committees were eligible to apply. Individual projects could request up to $500,000. The Board is comprised of representatives from agriculture, drinking water and wastewater utilities, environmental organizations, agribusiness, the conservation community along with two state senators and two state representatives. To receive more information or ask questions, contact Jerry Neppel at 515-281-3599. The approved grants follow here: Project/Watershed NameOrganizationProject LengthCounties Clear Lake Watershed Hancock SWCD 3 years Hancock, Cerro Gordo College Creek--Establishing and Monitoring Stream Stabilization Practices for Water Quality Enhancement City of Ames 3 years Story Hurley Creek Watershed/McKinley LakeCity of Creston 3 years Union Keg CreekRegional Water Association 3 years Mills Little Clear Lake Watershed Pocahontas SWCD 1 year Pocahontas Rathbun Lake Watershed Rathbun Land Water Alliance 3 years Appanoose, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne Sand Creek Watershed Delaware SWCD 3 years Delaware South Raccoon/Maple River Junction Carroll SWCD 10 months Carroll Volunteer Creek Watershed City of Carlisle 2 years Warren Yellow River Watershed/Direct Drain Project Allamakee SWCD 1 year Allamakee - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp