The LARE Program is a statewide water quality protection initiative administered by DNR Division of Soil Conservation. Funded from a $5 portion of the state-collected annual boat license, LARE provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and producers for solving erosion and nutrient-related problems from entering Indiana streams, rivers, and public lakes. There are two components of LARE, the lake enhancement component and the watershed land treatment component.
The lake enhancement component funds diagnostic studies, engineering feasibility studies, and design/construction plans. The Division of Soil Conservation, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), administers the program with the cooperation of the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The program is implemented locally by a local entity, such as Lake Associations, planning and development organizations, or governmental units with technical assistance provided by the Division of Soil Conservation, IDNR and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Sullivan County currently has one on Lake Sullivan for shoreline protection.
The LARE Watershed Land Treatment Program provides cost-sharing and incentives to landuser's for applying practices on their land that reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients from agriculture sources entering a project lake or river. The program applies to any watershed where a Lake and River Enhancement preliminary investigation, feasibility study, or equivalent study has determined that agriculture-related and other sources of pollution are contributing significantly to the respective lake or river's water quality and/or sedimentation problems. The Division of Soil Conservation, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), administers the program with the cooperation of Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD's). The program is implemented locally by the County SWCD Board of Supervisors with technical assistance provided by the Division of Soil Conservation, IDNR and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Sullivan County currently has one in Middle Fork watershed.
LARE REQUIREMENTS
- Funding requests for Watershed Land Treatment projects must comefrom Soil & Water Conservation Districts.
- The DNR cannot consider a WLT project request without a
Established Maximum cost-share rates are:
 | 80% for practices installed or applied within one mile of the lake or one-half mile of a perennial stream; |
| 65% for practices beyond those distances; and |
| a maximum payment of $20,000 to a landuser on any single practice. Minor exceptions to the distance requirement may be considered on individual practices. |
ELIGIBLE PRACTICES FOR COST-SHARE AND INCENTIVE
ASSISTANCE IN WATERSHED LAND TREATMENT PROJECTS.
| CONSERVATION TILLAGE |
| COVER CROPS |
| CRITICAL AREA SEEDING |
| DIVERSIONS |
| FENCING FOR LIVESTOCK |
| FIELD WINDBREAKS |
| FILTER STRIPS |
| GRADE STABILIZATION STRUCTURE |
| GRASSED WATERWAYS |
| INTERGRADED CROP MANAGEMENT |
| LIVESTOCK WATERING FACILITY |
| PASTURE AND HAYLAND PLANTING |
| STREAMBANK STABILIZATION |
| TERRACES |
| TREE PLANTING |
| ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM |
| WATER AND SEDIMENT CONTROL BASIN (WASCOB) |
| WETLAND DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT |
| UPLAND WILDLIFE |
For more information about the LARE program in Sullivan County, contact our office (812-268-5157 extension 3)
Rule 5 - STORM WATER RUNOFF ASSOCIATED WITH
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
Research over the past three decades has found that erosion rates from construction sites are ten times higher than those measured on row croplands and more than 100 times higher than erosion rates on well vegetated lands. Soil loss from new development can range from 20 to 150 tons per acre, per year. The national average for soil erosion from cropland is about 8 tones per year. Soil lost to streams, rivers, and lakes has a profound effect on water quality, including our drinking water. Furthermore, excessive erosion of soil into ditches increases the frequency of ditch maintenance, which is an economic impact.
The purpose of 327 IAC 15-5 (Rule 5) is to reduce pollutants, principally sediment as a result of soil erosion, in storm water discharges into surface waters of the state. The requirements of Rule 5 apply to all persons who are involved in construction activity (which includes clearing, grading, excavation and other land disturbing activities) that results in the disturbance of five (5) acres or more of total land area. If the land disturbing activity results in the disturbance of less than five (5) acres of total land area, but is part of a larger common plan of development or sale (such as the development of a subdivision or industrial park), it is still subject to storm water permitting.
Those responsible for adhering to the rule are known as the project "operators". The following is a general list of items and operator must do to comply with Rule 5 (more may/can be required):
| File an Erosion Control Plan with the Sullivan County Soil & Water Conservation District |
| File a Notice of Intent (NOI) on State Form47487 with IDEM prior to the start of any work |
| and be sure to include the $100.00 application fee. |
| Publish a public notice of the planned construction activity in a local newspaper and |
| send a copy of that notice to IDEM |
| Be sure that the personnel responsible for installing and maintaining the erosion control measures have been trained in erosion control practices comply with the requirements outlined in the permit, including erecting and maintaining erosion control fences to prevent soil erosion |
For general information and to download forms visit IDEM's website. For information about local Sullivan County projects email: rob.wise@in.usda.gov