(Provided by IDNR)

Eight Indiana counties will be able to address sediment problems in lakes and rivers, thanks to $617,500 in grant funding from the DNRís Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program.

LARE grants are administered through DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. Division director Mark Reiter said the funding will support 11 projects this year.

"The goal for these projects is to improve public accessibility to Indiana waterways and lakes," Reiter said. "Improved access will increase recreation opportunities for boaters, anglers, paddlers and others who love water."

The 11 projects were chosen in a competitive process from applications submitted by local sponsors, who agree to share at least 20 percent of the cost.

Three grants are for developing a sediment removal plan, which is the first step in any LARE dredging project. Eight projects include sediment removal. Projects to dredge lake inlets or boating access channels receive the highest priority for LARE funding. Whole-lake dredging is generally too expensive for any entity to address.

LARE grants are funded through the LARE fee paid by boat owners annually when they register their boats with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This user-funded program benefits boaters all over the state. The grants allow for the completion of projects that would be difficult for local organizations to fund on their own.

The list of projects by water body, county, project type and grant award are: