Watershed improvement projects in Iowa will receive a $5 million shot in the arm this year.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced Wednesday that eligible groups are being encouraged to apply for watershed improvement grants.

Northey said the grant funding is available to county conservation boards, cities, local watershed improvement committees, soil and water conservation districts and public water supply utilities. Watershed improvement project planners can apply for up to $500,000 to help fund their projects.

Northey's announcement stated that the types of projects to be funded include those addressing stream bank erosion, communities without sewer systems, agricultural runoff and drainage, municipal discharge, storm runoff, industrial discharge and agricultural discharge. Groups considering application for the funding can download application materials at the agriculture department website, www.agriculture.state.ia.us/IWIRB.htm