Overview of the Project The condition of water quality affects many aspects of our lives including our health, recreation and the diversity & vitality of wildlife. Our local watersheds are impaired by both point source and non-point source pollution concerns which in turn affect our quality of life. A 319 grant has been awarded by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for the Bean Blossom watershed to improve the water quality of our local watershed by decreasing the amount of pollutants entering our streams. The Bean Blossom watershed encompasses 192.6 square miles in the northern parts of Brown and Monroe Counties. The area is quite diverse with a combination of forests, agricultural lands, urban areas, wetlands and other uses. The watershed project implementation plan will be equally diverse in attacking the water quality issues from various venues – public awareness demonstrations sites and events, educational materials, and cost share incentives for landowners. Brown & Monroe County SWCD’s are taking the lead and the project is being overseen by individuals from a variety of backgrounds who have come together with a common goal of seeing improvements in land management practices which will make a positive effect on the water quality. Project Goals 1. Provide cost share assistance for projects which address natural resource concerns in identified critical areas. 2. Provide educational opportunities and demonstration sites that will promote best management practices and encourage personal changes to improve water quality in urban, rural, agricultural and woodland areas. 3. Increase coordination and cooperation between all levels of government, private, for profit and not for profit organizations and agencies to continue water quality improvements beyond the limits of this project. | 
