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Public Board Meeting
Board Meetings are on the 4th Tuesday of every Month at 6:00 p.m. at ParGil Learning Resource Center 2335 N. State Road 9 LaGrange, IN  46761
 

2025 Northern Indiana Grazing Conference
The grazing conference will be  held on Friday January 31 and Saturday, February 1 at the Michiana Event Center (MEC) located at 455 E. Farver St., Shipshewana, IN  46565. 


Tree Sales
Our 2025 Tree Sale Catalog is now available. We can accept orders over the phone, email, mailed in, or in person. 

Tree sale pickup days will be April 9th-11th 2025. 

Education
LaGrange SWCD offers education programs on a variety of topics click here to see the current list of available programs Here

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Education Award Application

The District Scholarship application is now open! The deadline is April 14th. Winners will be notified after the April 22nd Board meeting.

 
Newsletters

April Newsletter

Jermiah Lambright May 15th Pasture Walk Newsletter

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Logjam Removal Bids

(Government Rate)

Notice of Request for Bids for logjam removal work from the Pigeon River by

LaGrange County Soil and Water Conservation District (sponsor)

Notice is hereby given to all qualified individuals and firms that the LaGrange County Soil and Water Conservation District is soliciting bids for the removal of six (6) logjams from selected portions (located from the Ontario Dam westward to the bridge on IN State Road 9 at Howe) of the Pigeon River in central LaGrange County.  The project is being funded through the SWCD in cooperation with the LaGrange County Commissioners and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources through the Lake and River Enhancement program of the Division of Fish and Wildlife.  Sealed bids will be accepted by the LaGrange County SWCD at 910 S. Detroit Street, LaGrange, IN 46761 or via email to martin.franke@IN.nacdnet.net from the date of this publication until 4:00 pm May 24, 2024.  A contract will be awarded at the public meeting of the LaGrange County SWCD Board of Supervisors at 6:00 pm, May 24, 2024, at ParGil Natural Resources Learning Center, 2335 N State Road 9, LaGrange IN 46761.  Bids must include proof of liability insurance and appropriate bonding.  The District reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

 

 SWCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

R.D. Wolheter, SWCD Board Chairman

 

Dated this 29th day of April 2024

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UPDATE: A contract was awarded at the May SWCD Board Meeting to Lakeside Lumber Mill LLC of Middlebury Indiana. More information on this project will be posted under the project tab Logjam Removal as progress is made.   

Forestry Field Day

Forestry Field Day is scheduled for October 19th from 9am-2pm. Host will be Bill Thomas.  See Educational Tab, or see flyer here. 
Sheep & Soil Health School

Great opportunity to learn about sheep grazing and soil health.  Ray Archuleta, Hoss Hopping, and Jeremia Markway will be the key speakers for this school. See flyer for more details. 

Indiana Waterways Inquiry Request

This tool has been developed in partnership with IDEM and DNR. This tool is used to make inquires for projects that could require special permitting such as 401 Water Quality Certifications, Isolated Wetland permits, Construction in a Floodway permits or other construction along streams, lakes, or dams ONLY. 

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This tool allows the user to submit a proposed project to check for permit requirements. THIS TOOL IS NOT A PERMIT APPLICATION. This tool helps determine what permits may be required for certain projects.  Indiana Waterways Inquiry Request

ICSGP NOIs

Indiana Construction Stormwater General Permits, (Rule 5) require projects that are 1 acre or larger to have an erosion control plan on file with the LaGrange County Soil & Water District. Projects that have been reviewed require a Notice of Intent (NOI). This allows landowners near the project site Legal Notice of Intents for any developments that fall within the stated criteria.    

Uploaded 11/15/24

Alton Bontrager (2935 N 500 W, Shipshewana, IN 46565) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Valleyline PUD located at 2935 N 500 W & 5090 W 300 N, Shipshewana, IN 46565. Run-off from the project site will be managed on-site. The project is located within one 12-digit hydrologic water shed which is 040500011104 Buck Lake-Buck Creek. Please direct questions to Alton Bontrager at (260) 768-7807 ext. 2 or al@valleylinewood.com.

Uploaded 9/9/24

Marlin Miller (0825 S 700 W, Topeka, IN  46571) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Marlin Miller AFO located at 0825 S 700 W, Topeka, IN  46571. Run-off from the project site will be managed on-site. The project is located within one 12-digit hydrologic water shed which is 040500011201. Emma Lake Ditch . Please direct questions to Marlin Miller at (260) 350-8523.

Uploaded 7/3/24

Nathan Miller (7040 W 200 S, Topeka, Indiana 46571) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Newbury Carriage located at 7040 W 200 S, Topeka, IN  46571. Run-off from the project site will be managed on-site. The project is located within one 12-digit hydrologic water shed which is 04050001140030 Little Elkhart River Ditch. Please direct questions to Nathan Miller at (260) 768-8055 ext. 2.

Uploaded 9/9/24

Leland Bontrager (0285 W 200 S, LaGrange, IN) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with F&L Woodworking located at 0285 W 200 S, LaGrange, IN 46761. Run-off from the project site will be managed on-site. The project is located within one 12-digit hydrologic water shed which is 040500011503 North Branch Elkhart River  . Please direct questions to Leland Bontrager at (260) 499-4523 or pleasantlane@ibyfax.com.

Uploaded 7/8/24

Lavon Borkholder (3635 S 1200 W, Goshen, IN 46528) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Fantastech Energy Solutions located at 3635 S 1200 W, Goshen, IN 46528. Run-off from the project site will be managed on-site. The project is located within one 12-digit hydrologic water shed which is 040500011203 Rowe Eden Ditch. Please direct questions to Derek Borkholder at (574) 218-1973.

Uploaded 4/12/24

Elmer and Elizabeth Hochstetler (1415 N 300 E, LaGrange, IN 46761) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of our intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Elmer Hochstetler AFO located at 1415 N 300 E, LaGrange, IN 46761. Run-off from the project site will be managed onsite. The project is located within one 14-digit hydrologic water shed which is 04050001120030 Fly Creek-East Fly Creek.  Please direct questions to Elmer Hochstetler at (260) 463-3140.

Uploaded 6/17/24

Joe and Ava Lehman (4685 W 600 S, Topeka, Indiana 46571) are submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of their intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Joe Lehman AFO located at 4685 W 600 S, Topeka, Indiana 46571. Run-off from the project site will be managed on-site. The project is located within one 14-digit hydrologic water shed which is 04050001140030 Little Elkhart River Ditch.  Please direct questions to Joe Lehman at (260) 593-0976x2.

Uploaded 10/03/24

Martin Gingerich (2375 S State Road 5, Topeka, IN 46571) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Basic Ag LLC located at 2375 S State Road 5, Topeka, IN 46571. Run-off from the project site will be managed on-site. The project is located within one 14-digit hydrologic water shed which is 04050001140030 Little Elkhart River Ditch. Please direct questions to Martin Gingerich at (260) 383-1333 ext. 6 or e-mail at basicag@ibyfax.com.

Uploaded 7/22/24

Elmer and Lavern Bontrager (7335 S 300 W, Topeka, Indiana 46571) are submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of their intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Elmer Bontrager AFO located at 7335 S 300 W, Topeka, Indiana 46571. Run-off from the project site will be managed on-site. The project is located within one 12-digit hydrologic water shed which is 040500011506. Jones Lake-North Branch of Elkhart River.  Please direct questions to Elmer Bontrager at (260) 593-2595 or Lavern Bontrager (260) 593-2092.

Uploaded 7/3/24

Dennis and Darlene Yoder (7805 W 600 S, Topeka, IN 46571) are submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of their intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Dennis Yoder AFO located at 7805 W 600 S, Topeka, IN 46571. Run-off from the project site will be managed onsite. The project is located within one 14-digit hydrologic water shed which is 04050001140030 Little Elkhart River Ditch. Please direct questions to Dennis Yoder at (260) 593-2301

Uploaded 10/28/24

Kevin Stutzman (10635 W 250 N, Shipshewana) is submitting an NOI letter to notify the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements under 327 IAC 15-5 to discharge storm water from construction activities for the following project: Kevin Stutzman - Natural Family Farms Layer Barn, found 1,930’ east of CR 1100 W on CR 250 N.  Run-off from the project site will leave via underground flow in the Little Elkhart River. Questions or comments should be directed to Mr. Stutzman at the above mentioned address.

Uploaded 10/28/24

Eli Wenerd (2500 E 400 N, LaGrange) is submitting an NOI letter to notify the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements under 327 IAC 15-5 to discharge storm water from construction activities for the following project: Eli Wengerd – Miller Poultry Broiler Barn, found 2,656’ east of CR 200 E on CR 400 N.  Run-off from the project site will leave via underground flow in the Pigeon River. Questions or comments should be directed to Mr. Wengerd at the above mentioned address.

Uploaded 10/29/24

​Mahlon Bontrager (1040 W 700 S, Wolcottville) is submitting an NOI letter to notify the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements under 327 IAC 15-5 to discharge storm water from construction activities for the following project: Mahlon Bontrager – Miller Poultry Organic Broiler Barn, found 4,450’ east of CR 200 W on CR 700 S.  Run-off from the project site will leave via underground flow in the North Branch of the Elkhart River. Questions or comments should be directed to Mr. Bontrager at the above mentioned address.

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Uploaded 11/18/24

Floyd Miller (6735 W 100 S, Topeka, IN 46571) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of his intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Miller Power located East of 6350 W 100 S, Topeka, IN 46571. Run-off from the project site will be managed on-site. The project is located within one 12-digit hydrologic water shed which is 040500011201 Emma Lake-Emma Ditch. Please direct questions to Floyd Miller at (260) 768-7002.

Uploaded 1/11/24

David Yoder (2580 S State Road 5, Topeka, IN 46571) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of our intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with David Yoder AFO located at 2580 S State Road 5, Topeka, IN 46571. Runoff from the project site will be managed on site.  The project site is located within one 14-digit Hydrologic water shed, which is 04050001140030 Little Elkhart River Ditch. Please direct questions to David Yoder at 260-593-3195.

Uploaded 3/21/24

Aaron Lambright (3007 N 735 W, Shipshewana, IN 46565) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of our intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Adventure RV LLC located East of N Van Buren St and South of 2965 N State Rd 5, Shipshewana, IN 46565. Runoff from the project site will be contained on site.  The project site is located within one 14-digit Hydrologic water shed, which is 040500011105 Page Ditch. Please direct questions to Aaron Lambright at 260-336-0540 or aaron@adventure-rv.net.

Uploaded 4/3/24

Marion Beechy (1860 S 375 W, LaGrange, IN 46761) is submitting a Notice of Intent to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management of our intent to comply with the requirements of Construction Stormwater General Permit to discharge stormwater from construction activities associated with Marion Beechy AFO located at 0720 S 500 W, LaGrange, IN 46761. Run-off from the project site will be managed onsite. The project is located within one 14-digit hydrologic water shed which is 04050001140030 Little Elkhart River Ditch.  Please direct questions to Marion Beechy at (260) 768-8137.

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About

The LaGrange Soil and Water District has been around since 1952.  Mahlon Dunkel pioneered the way for our LaGrange County Distriction of operation. For more information on his story please visit our blog.   

Project

The LaGrange County Soil & Water Conservation District has various on going grant projects.  With the amount of lakes in LaGrange County these grants are vital in making sure that the rivers are being watched over. 

Donate

Donations to the LaGrange County Soil and Water Conservation District help the district to continue putting on education programs. Some of these programs include conservation camp for the youth as well as cover crop field days for adults. 

Get Involved

The LaGrange County Soil and Water Conservation District is involved with may different educational programs, grant-related projects, and community conservation events.   

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