The Big Walnut and Deer Creek watersheds encompass 270,000 acres in west-central Indiana.  The primarily agricultural watershed is home to unique aquatic resources, regional agricultural initiatives, DePauw University, and several reservoirs.  Our team lead the assessment and planning efforts necessary to set water quality improvement goals and complete a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan that meets Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) 319 standards.  The effort included stakeholder engagement from a variety of industries, state institutions, federal agencies, the Nature Conservancy, and the local Plan Commission. The final product identified several Best Management Practice (BMP) recommendations and has gone on to become the framework for conservation implementation in the area. The project continues to receive both state and local funding and has made such significant improvements in water quality that it is routinely pointed to as one of the region’s best examples of a watershed project success story.

PROJECT TASKS

• Authored EPA/IDEM compliant Watershed Management Plans
• Conducted water quality and habitat assessments
• Analyzed and mapped critical resources via GIS and field investigations
• Implemented landowner cost-share program and technical assistance
• Fostered and produced regular media communications and community event
• Develop creative public education and outreach programming for youth and adults
• Coordinated the Steering Committee and several topical subcommittees

Empower Results brought the expertise our fledgling watershed group needed to devise a workable watershed management plan.  They were always very knowledgeable about the subject of water quality.  Their contacts afforded our group expert water quality samples even after storm events which in turn allowed us to make informed decisions as to what priorities we wanted within our management plan.  Their timely response to any question, issue or comment makes them a true partner and joy to work with.

Sue Crafton
Putnam County SWCD

Jill Hoffmann and Empower Results have outstanding skills in helping groups work together, keeping focused, and helping prioritize issues. All done with insight and panache! I have seen Jill work with the Indiana Water Monitoring Council and the Big Walnut Watershed group and always look forward to working with her and Empower Results.

Jeff Frey
Big Walnut