Critical Areas
Water quality data was used to identify critical areas and geographic analysis was used to identify which best management practices (BMPs) might be most effective at reducing nonpoint source pollution in these areas. Public input was also considered.

Selection Process and Tiers

Subwatersheds with the most polluted surface water and most water quality concerns were selected as critical areas. The following pollutants were analyzed: nitrate, phosphorus, TSS (e.g. sediment), and E. coli. Critical areas were subdivided into three tiers. The 319 program cost-share dollars will only be spent in Tier I critical areas first (see the legend on the map on the right). When all projects are funded in Tier I areas, projects in Tier II areas will be funded. After all projects in Tier I and Tier II critical areas have been funded, projects in Tier III areas will be funded. Don’t forget to keep in mind that at some point cost-share funds may be opened up to Tier II and Tier III critical areas.

Tier I Critical Area Maps

Cost-share for BMPs

BMPs that will be funded in each critical area were selected through the consideration of suspected sources of non-point source pollution, which were identified through the watershed analysis process and water quality data. For example, two stage ditches will be funded only in certain critical areas because water quality data indicated that streambank erosion is a source in these critical areas.

Not in a Critical Area?

If you voiced a concern at a public meeting or through a survey during the WMP planning process, and the concern is not within one of the critical areas, you are still eligible for consideration for cost-share funding (through a source other than 319 funds) and are encouraged to apply.

FIG 1 | Water quality results and water quality concerns were used in the selection of critical areas. The map above shows Tier I, II, and III critical areas.

County	Acres in Watershed	Percentage
Grant	128,200	30%
Blackford	48,000	11%
Delaware	78,000	18%
Randolph	115,000	27%
Jay	37,500	9%
Darke	20,000	5%

Critical Areas
TABLE 1 | Tier I, II, and III Critical Areas Listed by County and Impairment

Impairment	Grant	Blackford	Delaware	Jay	Randolph	Darke
Nutrients	Deer Creek, Little Deer Creek, Barren Creek, Lugar Creek, Little Walnut Creek	Little Walnut Creek, Little Lick Creek	Halfway Creek	Halfway Creek	Little Mississinewa, Gray Branch	Little Mississinewa, Gray Branch
E. coli	Lugar Creek, Barren Creek	Little Lick Creek, Big Lick Creek			Little Mississinewa	Little Mississinewa
Sediment	Walnut Creek	Little Walnut Creek	Campbell Creek		Little Mississinewa, Gray Branch, Campbell	Little Mississinewa, Gray Branch

Priority Sources
Land use data and water quality data were analyzed to identify sources of non point pollution throughout the watershed. This data was also used to prioritize each source. For example, data indicated that in subwatersheds with the highest TSS levels, the main source of the TSS was stream banks, as indicated in the table to the right.

TABLE 2 | Priority sources for nonpoint impairment reduction

Impairment	Agricultural	Stream Banks	Urban
Sediment	Moderate	Highest Priority	Moderate
Nutrients	Highest Priority	Moderate	Moderate
Pathogens	Highest Priority	Low	High