(INDIANAPOLIS) – Three Northeast Indiana counties are among 20 that are receiving money for lake and stream projects.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Alan Morrison announced that organizations in 20 Indiana counties across the state will receive $1,116,940 in grants to fund 53 lake and stream projects through the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program.

Grants totaling $473,640 will be used to support 42 projects to combat aquatic invasive plants. LaGrange County will receive two grants for two projects on Adams Lake. One is for $1,500 and the other for $18,600. LaGrange County is also getting $24,000 for Big Long Lake; $12,200 for Big Turkey Lake; $5,000 for Little Turkey Lake, $6,500 for Pretty Lake; $14,200 for Stone and Brokesha Lakes and $5,960 for Wall Lake.

Noble County will receive $5,000 for Big Lake and $5,000 for Waldron Lake.

Steuben County will be getting $6,500 for Crooked Lake; $18,700 for Hamilton Lake; $1,360 for Jimmerson Lake; $6,500 for Lake George, $14,300 for Lake Pleasant; $1,500 for Snow Lake and $6,500 for West Otter Lake.

$643,300 will support 11 sediment or logjam removal projects in 10 counties. Steuben County will receive $35,000 of that amount for Crooked Lake while Noble County will get $100,000 for Jones Lake.

The grants are funded through the LARE fee paid annually by boat owners when they register their crafts with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This user-funded program benefits boaters all over the state by allowing for the completion of lake and stream projects that would be difficult for local organizations to fund on their own. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and local sponsors share at least 20% of the cost.