Governor Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that organizations in 18 Indiana counties will receive a total of $1,297,500 in grants to support 21 lake, river, and watershed land treatment projects through the DNR’s Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program.
One of the funded projects is the Pipe Creek Dam Removal project in Cass County, which will receive $75,000 in LARE grant funding. The project is expected to help improve stream conditions and enhance water quality by addressing barriers within the waterway.
“Indiana’s lakes and streams are vital natural resources, supporting strong communities, wildlife habitat, and recreation,” said Gov. Mike Braun. “Thanks to support from those getting out and enjoying Indiana’s scenic waterways, we’re proud to make sure that our Hoosier lakes and streams are well maintained for continued enjoyment now and for future generations.”
The LARE grants will support projects in counties across Indiana, including Benton, Daviess, Fulton, Gibson, Hamilton, Johnson, Kosciusko, LaGrange, LaPorte, Marshall, Noble, Porter, Starke, Steuben, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, and White.
The grants are funded through the LARE fee paid annually by boat owners when they register their vessels with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The program helps fund projects that local organizations may not otherwise be able to complete on their own. Grant recipients are selected through a competitive process, and local sponsors contribute at least 20% of project costs.
This round of funding will benefit four lakes and 15 rivers and streams, with some projects benefiting multiple waterways. Two additional land-based projects focused on watershed land treatment practices were also funded in partnership with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Many of the projects are designed to improve water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient runoff, which helps protect fish and wildlife habitat while improving recreational opportunities.
A complete list of funded projects, including waterways, counties, project types, and grant amounts, is available through the DNR’s LARE program.