Projects

Upper White River Watershed Alliance (UWRWA).  The UWRWA is a consortium of local governments, environmental professionals, industry leaders, agriculture, and the regional community. This non-profit organization exists to improve and protect water quality on a regional watershed basis across 16 counties in central Indiana. Ongoing UWRWA projects, under the leadership of Empower Results, include: coordination of community landuse plans, development of a stormwater educational resource center, technical programming for members, and the development of an urban Best Management Practices (BMPs) toolbox. The UWRWA and Empower Results are constantly developing new member benefits and improving communication and coordination across county and municipal lines, thus creating the strongest regional watershed initiative in the state.

City of Indianapolis Sustainability Efforts.  The City of Indianapolis is working diligently toward City-wide sustainability initiatives.  Empower Results works with partners at AMEC and the Office of Sustainability to lead the efforts of the City’s Low Impact Development (LID) Steering Committee.  Empower Results is responsible for analyzing interdepartmental processes related to stormwater and development, crafting and recommending necessary ordinance changes, garnering internal support for LID procedural changes, and focusing the overall efforts and work plan of the Steering Committee and subcommittees. Empower Results team members are also engaged in the development and rollout of a new municipal rain garden program for the City, including public outreach efforts and educational materials.

Eagle Creek Watershed Alliance (ECWA).  The ECWA is a broad coalition of individuals, volunteers, foundations, local organizations, utilities, county, state, and federal agencies, and universities working together to improve water quality and the environment of the Eagle Creek Watershed.  Empower Results staff coordinates all watershed planning and conservation activities associated with several research and implementation grants.  Three very active committees provide a stakeholder driven approach to improving water quality.  Empower Results supports these efforts by coordinating committee activities, conducting educational events, speaking in numerous local forums, coordinating best management cost-share projects with individual landowners, and engaging the media in research and planning efforts. 

US 31 Hamilton County Major Moves Initiative.  The New US 31 Major Moves Project is part of a larger initiative to elevate sections of US 31 to freeway standards (limited access). The Hamilton County section presents some unique challenges as it includes one of the most developed, luxury commercial and retail corridors in the state. Likewise, this section of road passes through several communities with varying development initiatives, connections to historic districts, formal community aesthetics, and recreational standards. The Empower Results staff works to maximize constructive community involvement opportunities and facilitate discussions with key stakeholders. Highlights of such discussions are then relayed to partnering engineers for adjustments and improvements to the design or construction planning. Empower Results staff also served as lead authors and investigators in the environmental evaluations and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation.  The Empower Results team continues to work on necessary NEPA documents as project modifications warrant. 

Big Walnut Creek Watershed Efforts.  The Big Walnut and Deer Creek watersheds encompass approximately 270,000 acres in west-central Indiana. The primarily agricultural watershed is home to some unique aquatic resources, regional agricultural initiatives, DePauw University, and several reservoirs. Empower Results leads the assessment and planning efforts necessary to set water quality improvement goals and implement a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. The effort includes engaging stakeholders from a variety of industry, state institutions, federal agencies, the Nature Conservancy, and the local Plan Commission in conservation and best management efforts.