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LaPorte SWCD says state clean-water funds arrived; MS4 approves 25% match and funds for local projects and internships
Summary
Staff reported receipt of state clean-water disbursement, MS4 approval of a 25% match for remaining cost-share reimbursements (about $65,000 estimated remaining), a $7,200 summer internship for a Purdue student and donations of seedlings and trees to support museum and garden projects.
Staff at the LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District reported at the April 14 meeting that the district had received its annual disbursement from state clean-water funds and completed an exit conference with the State Board of Accounts that identified only minor audit findings.
In program updates, staff said the MS4 board approved a 25% match for the remaining cost-share reimbursements that support county property projects, including gardens around the county building, a Michigan City gardens project and the LaPorte museum project. Staff estimated roughly $65,000 remained available for reimbursements and said Hitachi has additional matching funds that are separate from the $13,333 already approved from the stormwater operating fund.
Staff also described local project support: pollinator kits sourced from Oak Valley Nursery will be funded through a $750 donation from a pack center and a $750 match from MS4/stormwater funds, producing roughly 50 trays (about 40 available to distribute). Erosion Construction Services donated 100 white oak seedlings for planting along a meditative path in the museum gardens, and 75 15-gallon oak trees (three species) are scheduled to be planted for the museum and Hitachi project when the new intern begins work.
Board members noted the internship funding: Casey Hunky’s 12-week Purdue internship was fully funded jointly by the SWCD and MS4 boards with a $7,200 approved budget; Casey is scheduled to begin May 11.
The MS4 board also approved purchase of a larger, permanent 96-inch interactive smart display to be installed in the conference room for shared use by the SWCD, MS4 and Purdue Solid Waste staff.
Staff said it had submitted the Clean Water Indiana project for the governor’s environmental excellence award; the submission was acknowledged and committee review was expected in April, with notifications later in the summer.
Staff and the board will circulate more details by email, including a position statement on stormwater coordination and additional information about the watershed steward program offered by Purdue Extension.
