Embarras River Management Association

ERMA

...Lending Nature A Helping Hand.

ERMA remains focused on the preservation and restoration of the natural character and resources of the Embarras River Watershed. With adequate funding, ERMA will continue to implement the goals and objectives identified by the landowners, public groups, and government agencies, all of whom are our “Partners in Conservation”.

The Embarras River begins on the campus of the University of Illinois and runs generally southward for 192 miles through rural and agricultural land until it converges with the Wabash River in Lawrence County. The Embarras River Watershed encompasses approximately 1.5 million acres and is home for over 130,000 citizens.

The Embarras River Management Association (ERMA) is a not-for-profit corporation formed in 1993 by local landowners that were concerned about protecting and enhancing the natural resources within the Embarras River Watershed. With assistance from the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), ERMA developed the comprehensive Embarras River Basin Resource Management Plan (1996), which provides long-term solutions to the existing resource concerns.

In 1997, the Embarras River Watershed was recognized as a National Watershed Model for its planning efforts. As a result of developing the Resource Management Plan, the entire Embarras River Watershed was designated as a Conservation Priority Area under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program through the NRCS.

During the last seven years, ERMA has been successful in obtaining over $6 million in funding through available state and federal conservation programs and grants that was utilized for conservation projects, education and research in the Embarras Watershed. ERMA makes a difference for conservation.

Last updated 2 March 2005