CHICAGO, IL, April 14, 2008 -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has given the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, $899,938 to protect and restore the Honey Creek and Sandusky River watersheds in north central Ohio.
"EPA is pleased to recognize and support the innovative work being done by Heidelberg College to protect water quality in Ohio," said EPA Regional Administrator Mary A. Gade. "Healthy watersheds help ensure clean, safe water for the people of Ohio. The Agency's Targeted Watersheds grants program has proven very successful in other parts of the region and EPA looks forward to seeing improvements to waters and streams in this area."
The proposed projects will include wetland restoration, innovative testing of soil for phosphorus, and incentives to farmers to use best management practices, such as grass and buffer strips, to protect water quality.
The center is one of 16 organizations nationwide that received $13.36 million in grants.
EPA started the Targeted Watersheds Grant Program in 2003 to encourage successful community-based approaches to protect and restore the nation's watersheds.
For more information on the finalists: www.epa.gov/twg/implementation.html
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