Cedar Creek Watershed Plan Implementation, Phase I (6-64)

The Cedar Creek Watershed Management Plan (WMP) was funded by a Section 319 grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The plan was completed and approved by IDEM in 2005.

In 2006, the St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative received a grant for $465,000 to begin implementation of the Cedar Creek WMP. Funding to complete several projects is included in this grant, which is scheduled to end in November of 2008. The project’s area of implementation includes the Upper and Lower Cedar Creek subwatersheds Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) numbers 04100003080 and 04100003090.

Among the projects supported by the grant are:

• Cost-share funding for replacement of failing septic systems. The Cedar Creek Septic System Replacement Project (CCSRP) will provide homeowners with up to $3,000 in cost-share when they replace their failing septic systems.
• Cost-share funding for installation of Best Management Practices (BMP)Methods, measures or practices to prevent or reduce surface runoff and/or water pollution, including but not limited to, structural non-structural controls, operation and maintenance procedures, other requirements and scheduling and distribution of activities. such as wetland restoration, buffersAn area maintained in permanent vegetation and managed to reduce the impacts of adjacent land use. and filter stripsA linear strip of land maintained to slow the velocity of runoff and filter sediment. , reforestationTo replant an area with trees after its original trees have been cut down., raingardensA planted depression that is designed to take all, or as much as possible, of the excess rainwater run-off from a house or other building and its associated landscape., and bioswalesLandscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surace runoff water. They consist of a swaled drainage course with gently sloped sides and filled with vegetation, compost and/or riprap.'.
• Water quality monitoring across the Cedar Creek and the St. Joseph River. Twenty–four sites are monitored weekly by the SJRWI during the recreational season, April through October. Ten of those sites are in the Cedar Creek subwatershed.
• Public educational outreach, including workshops on topics such as septic systems, wetlands, urban and suburban lawns and gardens, post construction stormwater management, wildlife and biodiversity are being offered through 2008. Additionally, brochures and materials aimed at improving the knowledge of watershed stakeholders is being developed and distributed across the watershed.
• Cedar Creek Signage. The grant funds placement of up to 14 watershed signs which will help the public learn more about the boundaries and the importance of the Cedar Creek.
• Environmentally friendly landscaping. Do you know how much your landscaping choices affect water quality? Does your land attract nuisance geese? Call the St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative office for more information about participation in this program and to locate demonstration sites.