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Environment & Utilities Montpelier

Salamonie River Qualifies for Up to $300,000 in Federal Cleanup Funding

By The Blackford Ledger The Blackford Ledger

From the Montpelier Redevelopment Commission meeting on August 10, 2026

The Salamonie River is on the EPA's 303(d) list of impaired water bodies — a designation that makes Montpelier eligible for up to $300,000 in federal cleanup funding through Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grants, Dave Kieser of CDS Engineering reported.

Kieser discovered the eligibility after meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as previously authorized by the commission. The 319(h) program offers a 90/10 federal-to-local match, meaning Montpelier's share would be approximately $30,000 for up to $300,000 in river cleanup work.

The grant would fund river cleanup, bank stabilization, and overgrowth removal between the bridge and the park. Kieser estimated the actual project cost may be less than the maximum.

The 2026 application window was missed — proposals were due in June, before the city made contact with the Corps in July. Kieser plans to apply for the 2027 cycle and will consult with an IDEM regional contact before submitting.

Source: Meeting transcript — Montpelier Redevelopment Committee Meeting August 10 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.

About our reporting: The Blackford Ledger builds its government coverage from official public records, and every report is reviewed by an editor before publication. Read our Editorial Policy & Corrections or request a correction.

TAGS: Montpelier $300 000 $300 000 CDS Engineering Dave Kieser Salamonie River EPA Clean Water Act