The Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWCD), in cooperation with many partners works to improve the quality of life in Clinton County and beyond by providing natural resources education, outreach, technical resources, and financial support through cost-share programs.
The Clinton SWCD has focused its efforts in the S. Fork Wildcat Creek (SFWC) watershed (8-digit HUC) to address water quality impairments caused by sediment and excessive nutrients. The CCSWCD is currently creating a comprehensive watershed management plan (WMP) for the SFWC watershed. The plan will address water quality impairments already documented in the stream and collect new data. Upon completion of the WMP the CCSWCD will be able to target specific conservation practices needed to improve water quality and to select areas that require more extensive restoration.
The CCSWCD also administers an implementation grant funded by an Indiana Department of Environmental Management Section 319 grant in the S. Fork Wildcat Creek and Kilmore Creek Watershed. The cost-share program resulted in over 30 conservation practices implemented on over 2,500 acres. The result is an estimated pollution load reduction of 3,669 lbs/year of nitrogen; 2,048 lbs./year phosphorous; and 1,602 tons/year sediment in Clinton County.
Additionally, the CCSWCD, landowners and the county surveyor are cooperating to install several two-stage ditch practices in the watershed using cost-share funds to maximize economic benefit. The two- practice will benefit both agriculture and the environment by reduced flooding, bank erosion, maintenance and provide wildlife benefit by creating habitat.
The Clinton, Tippecanoe, Howard, Tipton and Carroll SWCDs worked through the Great Wabash River Resource Conservation and Development Council (and more than 25 other organizations) to submit a joint proposal for the Mississippi River Basin-Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative. More than $2 million was awarded for a three-year period through NRCS Farm Bill Programs.
Efforts are focused in the Wildcat Creek Watershed focusing on conservation practices that avoid, control and trap sediments and nutrients before it enters surface water and improve wildlife habitat while maintaining agricultural productivity. Twenty-six contracts have been obligated on more than 45,000 acres. In addition, the National Association of Conservation Districts and the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts applied for a Walton Foundation grant on our behalf. The Watershed received $75,000 for technical assistance and additional water quality monitoring. These funds have allowed us to hire a resource conservationist.
Clean Water Indiana (CWI) funds have been received to provide cost-share assistance to decommission abandoned water wells. Abandoned water wells provide a direct conduit to groundwater which is the source of drinking water for virtually all homes in Clinton County. These wells pose a serious threat to groundwater quality. The CCSWCD matches CWI funds received for this cost-share program using proceeds received from sales and from rental equipment. Fourteen abandoned wells have been decommissioned to date.
The CCSWCD has implemented a cover crop cost-share program to help reduce soil loss and nutrient loading due to runoff and to improve soil quality. In 2010, nearly 400 acres of cover crops were planted.