Clean Water Indiana 2021 Non-SWCD Led Competitive Grant Application

Contact Information Lead Entity Maumee Watershed Alliance Address 425 Van Buren St City, State, ZIP Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Lead Entity Contact Name Sharon Partridge Email Address [email protected] Phone 260-755-8111 Amount Requested $114,500 Authorized Signatory Name Mike Werling Authorized Signatory Email [email protected]

Local SWCD Contact Cooperating SWCD Allen County Point of Contact Greg Lake SWCD Phone 260-410-8205 SWCD Email [email protected]

Project Information Project Title Advancing Partnerships to Safeguard Soil & Water Resources in the WLEB

Project Description Key Project Objectives: 1. Advance efforts to improve water quality and soil health in the upper reaches of the Western Basin. 2. Strengthen local Soil and Water Conservation Districts through partnerships. 3. Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of local watershed organizations.

Project Background: Excessive nutrient loading in the Western resulting in toxic algae blooms has been a pervasive issue for many years. While a significant amount of progress has been made through the resources committed to this issue thus far, much more needs to be done. Discussions with local, state and federal officials as well as conservation agencies, NGOs, municipalities and other interested stakeholders have identified the need for further coordination and collaboration to solve this problem. This conclusion is evidenced by a Letter of Support signed by numerous state legislators in support of this application (Attached).

The Maumee Watershed Alliance (MWA) has been recognized by watershed organizations, municipalities and SWCDs as the appropriate entity to potentially lead this effort. The Maumee Watershed Alliance, is a 501(C)(3) organization with a focus on innovative solutions to address resource concerns. The MWA works as a regional leader to foster partnerships throughout northeast Indiana and our neighboring states. It strives to foster common goal dialogue among stakeholders to create opportunities for varied interests to work together to improve effectiveness and efficiency. (See Attachments for MWA Focus Area Map and MWA Overview)

Current MWA Members include: Friends of the Cedar Creek; Save Maumee Grassroots Organization; St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative; Upper Maumee Watershed Partnership; Fort Wayne City Utilities; City of Defiance, ; The Nature Conservancy; Steel Dynamics, Inc.; Purdue University - Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Outfitters and Bike Depot; Allen County SWCD; and local citizen river advocates.

Through the efforts of this grant, partners will be added from the St. Marys and Auglaize Rivers. Once these new partners are added, the entire Indiana portion of the WLEB will be represented by watershed organizations. Organizations such as these have a long-standing history of providing additional programs, outreach and support of the goals and objectives of local SWCDs.

The goals of each organization associated with the MWA are broad and far-reaching but often have common ground with other member organizations. The goal of this project is to harness the hidden energy and capacity that will be achieved as they work together in a more collaborative way. Perhaps an even more important outcome of this project is the ability to reduce project overlap and duplication to ensure efficient use of funds, opportunities, and resources.

An additional outcome is to address a need expressed by our legislators to identify a point of contact for issues related to the Indiana portion of the WLEB. If funded, this grant will position the MWA to serve as the clearing house through strengthening communication, coordination and capacity building.

The underpinning outcome will be the acceleration of efforts to improve water quality and soil health; reduce rill, sheet, gully and streambank erosion; and control invasive species in the Western Lake Erie basin. The expected outcomes are directly in line with the goals of the State Soil Conservation Board’s Business Plan.

Provide the specific issue, problem or need that the project will address. Issue: Soil and water quality degradation continues to be the focal point of local, state and federal conservation agencies including SWCDs. Due to the extent and complexity of these concerns, additional resources and partnerships are vital for these issues to be addressed. One such underutilized resource is local watershed organizations.

Problems: Existing watershed organizations have a strong desire to assist in addressing resource concerns but they have limited capacity. Limited resources for staff, facilities, and program implementation are common issues among all groups. Boards often struggle with long-range planning, financial management, grant procurement, marketing, and engaging target audiences. They often work individually rather than synergistically with other organizations. Boards often underutilize existing training opportunities and educational programs that address knowledge gaps. Lack of watershed groups representing the St. Marys and Auglaize River watersheds. Stakeholders from these watersheds have expressed an interest in establishing watershed organizations but have lacked the resources and support necessary to do so.

Needs: Existing watershed organizations and their partners need: more effective communication and coordination; elimination of program duplication; staff; improved board development; financial stability; marketing and grant writing skills; and the ability to identify and share resources whenever possible.

Describe each partner and their specific contributions and anticipated match to the project. Allen Co. SWCD, Greg Lake, 260-484-5848, $10,000.000 cash, professional assistance & outreach as in-kind Fort Wayne City Utilities, Anne Marie Smrchek, 260-427-5679, $10,000.00 cash, outreach as in-kind Richard D. Waterfield Environmental Fund of Tides Foundation, Tuti Scott, 415-561- 6400, $10,000.00 cash Steel Dynamics, Inc., Sara Cupp, 260-602-8484, $10,000.00 cash Save Maumee Grassroots Organization, Abby King, 260-417-2500, education & outreach as in-kind Upper Maumee Watershed Partnership, Don Rekeweg, 749-0445, education & outreach as in-kind City of Defiance, Ohio, Jennifer English, 419-956-7086, education & outreach as in- kind Fort Wayne Outfitters and Bike Depot, Tim Hall, 260-437-0600, outreach as in-kind The Nature Conservancy, Stephanie Singer, 570-854-0556, education & outreach as in-kind St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative, Doug Fasick, 260-427-5235, education & outreach as in-kind Friends of Cedar Creek, Dave VanGilder, [email protected], education & outreach as in-kind Purdue University – Fort Wayne Environmental Resource Center, Bruce Kingsbury, 260-481-5725, education & outreach as in-kind Adams Co. SWCD, Sandy Vogelwede, 260-223-2280, education & outreach as in- kind Steuben Co. SWCD, Janel Meyers, 260-665-3211, education & outreach as in-kind DeKalb Co. SWCD, Julie Knudson, 260-925-5620, education & outreach as in-kind Wells Co. SWCD, Lynne Huffman, 260-665-3211, education & outreach as in-kind

Describe how the funds will be utilized. In an effort to accomplish the objectives, project funds will be utilized to hire a Director for the MWA for a minimum of two years. The primary responsibility of the Director will be to: work directly with local SWCDs to enhance partnerships between Districts and watershed organizations; foster further collaboration between new and existing organizations; complete a comprehensive resource and needs assessment of all member organizations; facilitate formation of additional watershed groups in the St. Marys and Auglaize River watersheds; establish board development and recruitment trainings; assist watershed organizations with the development of marketing and outreach programs; assist member organizations with grant opportunities; establish training opportunities for financial management and long-rang planning. Whenever possible, all training and educational opportunities developed as a part of this project for watershed organizations will also be made available to the local SWCD supervisors and staff.

Project funds will also support other administrative and program costs such as travel, insurance, facility rental, training programs, speaker fees, program marketing (website & social media) and other misc. expenses. This project will always strive to use CWI funds as effectively and efficiently as possible by soliciting program support from other interested stakeholders whenever possible.

The CWI grants funds will be enhanced through additional financial commitments provided by: The Richard D. Waterfield Environmental Fund of the Tides Foundation; Steel Dynamics Inc; Fort Wayne City Utilities; and the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District. The additional cash commitments totaling $40,000.00 equate to approximately two thirds of the required match.

If requesting disbursement of up to 50% of funds at the beginning of the grant, please provide a justification. Due to limited financial resources available to the MWA, it will be necessary for the organization to obtain 50% of the CWI funds at the beginning of the project. The organization is not able to implement this grant on the more typical reimbursable basis.

What are the primary goals for the project? 1. Empower the long-term sustainability and growth of the Maumee Watershed Alliance and its partnering watershed organizations.

2. Synergize efforts of member organizations.

3. Share existing resources and develop new ones.

4. Provide training opportunities to build capacity for long-range planning; financial management; grant writing; branding and marketing; goal setting and prioritization; and engaging target audiences.

5. Provide ongoing education programs to member organizations, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other interested parties on topics such as: natural resource management; utilizing current and historical water quality data for planning purposes; and utilizing watershed management plans for conservation planning and implementation.

6. Pursue the establishment of watershed organizations in the St. Marys and Auglaize River watersheds.

Budget Information Item Description CWI Funds Cash Match In Kind Match Requested Staff, MWA Director $88,200.00 $29,400.00 $0.00 Office Equipment, $0.00 $9,480.00 $0.00 Software, Insurance Website/Social $2,250.00 $0.00 $0.00 Media, Communication, Internet Project Oversite, $0.00 $0.00 $10,368.00 MWA Board of Directors Contracted $4,800.00 $0.00 $0.00 Services, Web and GIS Mileage $3,500.00 $0.00 $0.00 Project $0.00 $0.00 $20,592.00 Implementation Oversite, Member Boards Marketing $3,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 Facility Rental $9,600.00 $0.00 $0.00 Office Supplies, $1,150.00 $600.00 $0.00 postage, printing Board Development $2,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 & Leadership Training Totals $114,500.00 $39,480.00 $30,960.00

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Maumee Watershed Alliance Focus Area

Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB)

Michigan

Lake Erie

Ohio

Maumee Watershed Alliance Focus Area:

St. Joseph River Watershed St. Marys River Watershed ..... _ Upper Watershed