Funding is now available to support the implementation of urban water quality improvement projects around Iowa. According to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig communities can apply now for state funding.
Urban conservation projects capture storm water and allow it to be better absorbed into the ground to prevent nutrients and sediment from entering local water sources. Examples of eligible urban conservation projects include bioretention cells, bioswales, native landscaping, permeable pavement, rain gardens, tree trenches and wetlands.
“There’s still work to be done to meet the goals outlined in Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and partnering with municipalities helps us make a meaningful impact,” said Secretary Naig. “This funding allows municipal planners and engineers to implement permanent practices that help manage storm water to prevent flash flooding, erosion and nutrient runoff, which has an effect on water quality locally and downstream.”
Municipalities, county conservation boards, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), other government agencies, not-for-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public water suppliers and watershed management organizations are eligible to apply.
Successful pre-proposals will utilize established partnerships and include strong outreach and education components. The proposed urban water quality improvement projects should be spearheaded and implemented by local leaders, organizations and volunteers. Completed projects will serve as local and regional demonstration sites; these sites are intended to show homeowners, municipalities and businesses how to adopt permanent infrastructure that reduces nutrient loads in surface waters.
The pre-applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. Applicants will be notified by Jan. 10, 2020, if they have been selected to submit a full application, which will be due on Feb. 7, 2020. Projects selected to receive funding will be announced in early-March 2020.
Pre-application guidance can be found here or requested by contacting the Department’s Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality at 515-281-5851.