A $40,000 Lakes and River Enhancement grant was approved for Chapman Lakes Conservation Club Inc. for an initial lakes and watershed diagnostic study for Chapman Lakes.

The Indiana State Soil Conservation Board approved the grant for the sponsoring Chapman Lakes organization to undertake its first step in lake enhancement efforts. The conservation club must provide 10 percent of the study cost.

The board also approved an engineering feasibility study grant for $60,300 for ongoing projects of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and $15,000 to continue a watershed land treatment project under way at Pike Lake.

The Chapman group scheduled a membership briefing for 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the clubhouse to update members on the grant and project. Matt Jarvis, regional watershed conservationist for Indiana Department of Environmental Management, will address the meeting.

Jarvis specializes in helping groups who may need additional funding for lake enhancement projects. He is expected to explain other sources of funding available to the conservation club for lake enhancement projects.

Although the meeting is for members, any Chapman Lake-area resident is welcome.

Requests for proposals to undertake the diagnostic study at Chapman Lakes have been sent to qualified prospective contractors by the conservation club. The lakes and watershed examination is expected to take about 18 months to complete. Run-off and lake samples, as well as other scientific testing and mapping, must incorporate each of the four seasons. [[In-content Ad]]