Appropriately managing animal waste can be costly. To help offset some of this cost, loans and grants are available from Ohio EPA and ODNR.
Ohio EPA is increasing funding to projects outside the scope of traditional wastewater problems. For example, Ohio is the first state in the nation to use an innovative concept, the linked deposit program, to provide loan funds to individuals. Individual farmers or homeowners can apply for below-market interest rate loans to fund projects that will improve water quality, such as erosion control, prevention of runoff from pesticides, and livestock fencing and manure management facilities.
Currently, projects that qualify for linked deposit financing are underway in five areas. Approximately $15 million in WPCLF financing will be made available in the Big Darby and Killbuck River Basins for these projects, which include manure storage and handling facilities, livestock stream exclusion fencing, and erosion control measures for croplands. Additional WPCLF funds will be made available to the remaining areas when water quality plans and financial needs have been established.
For more information about the WPCLF program, call Ohio EPA, Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, at (614) 644-2798.
Congress enacted section 319 of the Clean Water Act in 1987, establishing a national program to control nonpoint sources of pollution. Under section 319, states develop nonpoint source assessment reports, adopt management programs to control nonpoint source pollution and implement the management programs. Section 319(h) provides for federal funding to states to help them implement their approved management programs.
Since 1990, Ohio EPA has received more than $12.79 million in section 319(h) monies to support local watershed-based nonpoint source projects. The majority of the money has been distributed to local agencies and landowners for pollution abatement measures and the implementation of best management practices (BMPs).
For more information about the Clean Water Act section 319 program, call Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water, at (614) 644-2856.
Other sources of financial aid are available if you qualify. Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) or Farm Services Agency (FSA) for more information.