Utilizing a Clean Water Indiana grant, the Clark County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) instituted a cover crop program in 2010. It is designed to improve water quality by reducing the amount of nutrients, pesticides and sediment entering the county's water bodies.
Participants received a $15 per acre incentive payment, on a maximum of 40 acres, for utilizing cover crops as part of their production management. Producers were allowed the opportunity to utilize one of the SWCD's GPS units in their crop production if they so desired. The SWCD will have a similar program this year. Priority will be given to land located within the Silver Creek or Fourteen Mile Creek watersheds and to land not enrolled in an NRCS program.
In October of 2010, the Clark County SWCD received a U.S. EPA 319 Nonpoint Source Management Grant for the Silver Creek Watershed Improvement Project. The grant was obtained to implement the Silver Creek Watershed Management Plan, which was completed in 2009. Grant funds awarded were $405,995 and include matching funds of $270,663 for a project total of $676,658.
Through this grant, residents of the watershed community will be encouraged to implement water quality improvements through the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). Public education and outreach activities will be conducted to raise awareness of water quality issues and action will be taken to address those issues within the Silver Creek Watershed.
The Clark County SWCD employs an Urban Resource Specialist who works with MS4 communities within Clark County to help them meet their goals required under the national Phase II Stormwater program. The urban resource specialist also works with local contractors, developers, homeowners and engineers on ways to implement sediment control measures so sites remain compliant with the current rule. Education is also offered on proper installation of BMPs. Plan reviews and site inspections are also completed by the specialist and reimbursement for these activities are made by the local municipal entities. SWCD representatives also attend the meetings of the Southern Indiana Stormwater Advisory Committee (SWAC) which was formed with neighboring entities responsible for implementing stormwater programs in Southern Indiana.
The SWCD holds spring and fall tree sales to encourage tree planting throughout Clark and neighboring counties. The SWCD also supports Plant a Tree for You and Me, a joint project of the Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Ripley and Scott County SWCDs. The project is sponsored by Historic Hoosier Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council. This five-year project has two primary objectives: to educate people about the benefits of trees and their management, and to help the citizens of Southern Indiana plant 100,000 trees in our four-county area by 2012.
What is in the future? More tree sales, definitely! Seeking additional grant dollars, providing better resources to improve soil and water quality for Clark County residents. The possibilities are endless when you are the Clark County SWCD.