INDIANA, USA — Thousands of dollars contributed by Hoosier boaters through annual watercraft fees to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles are now funding projects meant to enhance the quality of rivers and streams across the state.
Dozens of Indiana counties will now have access to $864,160 in grant money funded through Indiana's Lake and River Enhancement Program to implement projects across 34 lakes and streams, DNR announced Tuesday.
The LARE program leverages funds from Hoosiers who get out on the water most to help conserve and protect those waterways. DNR estimates funds from Hoosier boaters have funded more than $20 million in dredging, logjam and aquatic vegetation management projects over the last two decades.
The grants also allow for the completion of lake and stream projects that would be difficult for local organizations to fund on their own, according to DNR. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and local sponsors share at least 20% of the cost.
Grants totaling $620,500 will support 13 sediment or logjam removal projects in 11 counties. Another $244,110 will be used to support 21 projects in 12 counties to combat aquatic invasive plants across 36 bodies of water.
Projects centered on the removal of sediment and logjams to improve recreational access receive the highest priority for funding.
Controlling aquatic invasive species is also a priority for DNR.
You can get a look at the list of grant recipients and projects by body of water, county, project type and grant award at lare.dnr.IN.gov.
