Buckeye Basins Newsletter: Fall 2001

Buckeye Basins is produced by the Ohio State University Extension, Community Based Watershed Management Team. It is compiled quarterly for watershed coordinators, Extension specialists, and natural resource professionals to include within their newsletters, programs or however they see fit.

In This Issue:

• Generating Participation in Watershed Planning
• Stopping the Spread of Exotic Species in Ohio Waterways
• Ohio's Scenic River Program: Protecting Our Most Pristine Waterways
• State Fish Campaign Goes Full Circle
• Get to Know the Core 4 Initiative!

Generating Participation in Watershed Planning

Anne Baird, Extension Agent Watershed Management and 
Dane Mutter, Honey Creek Watershed Project Coordinator

Developing strategies to achieve effective participation from the general public in watershed planning can be a challenging task for any group involved in watershed management, especially in watersheds where there is relatively little controversy. This article summarizes some pragmatic participation strategies used by the Honey Creek Watershed steering committee in creating a resource inventory and in setting priorities to decide on activities. 

Creating a Resource Inventory

A watershed inventory characterizes the water body and the features of the surrounding landscape that affect water quality. It can include a variety of information such as land uses, stream quality data, and wildlife found in the watershed. The 93 square mile, mostly rural, Honey Creek watershed has mostly exceptional warm water habitat and several high quality wetlands. 

In their first year of work, the steering committee held meetings where the general public could express concerns and visions about their water. These concerns were then grouped into common themes and used, along with relevant scientific information, to build their watershed inventory. For example, a common goal among Honey Creek residents was maintaining a safe and adequate drinking water supply. To help communities achieve this goal, the inventory includes maps showing the location of municipal water supply wells, wetlands, and streams, as well as sites that could contaminate drinking water such as underground storage tanks. Other community priorities incorporated into the inventory included a map of prime agricultural soils, and tables and maps with the current natural areas and open spaces in the watershed. 

Setting Priorities and Plans for Action

Findings from the inventory were than used to kick off a series of seven town hall meetings in every township and major municipality in the watershed. Approximately 200 people participated. The objective of the town hall meetings was to create a comfortable atmosphere with a lot of local flavor that would allow residents to learn a bit about the watershed, discuss their visions and priorities for the future (e.g., what they would like their watershed to look like in 2025) and generate ideas on specific tasks and projects to realize their visions. 

Meeting Strategies

• Often township or city government representatives provided mailing lists and in some cases sent letters of invitation. When possible, letters were followed up with phone calls to key community leaders. These recruiting strategies (in addition to offering a meal) helped increase attendance at rural meetings and involve members of local government in the planning process.

• Presentations by experts were kept to a minimum and focused on relevant local water issues and an overview of the watershed inventory, thereby giving residents a chance to get updated on local resource concerns without being overwhelmed by science and policy experts. 

• An hour to an hour and a half was set aside for facilitated small group work. By starting with creating a vision of the future, participants could move beyond focusing just on current problems and possible causes, thus avoiding excessive finger pointing. Once the goal areas out of year one meetings were clarified. Participants could add new goals, modify them, and then select the top one or two they wanted to discuss in more detail. 

• Specific approaches or strategies that could be used to reach the goals were identified. This format allowed participants to discuss issues relevant to them but also see and discuss concerns brought forth from other parts of the watershed. 

• An experienced facilitator attended all meetings and volunteer facilitators received instructions prior to each meeting, thereby keeping the groups focused on planning while still allowing more contentious issues to surface. 

• The steering committee in the future will need to develop a better plan for increasing suburban and urban participation. The primary audience reached with meetings in urban areas of the watershed was city councils. 

• This week the steering committee is hosting a whole-watershed picnic and planning session where participants will have a chance to work more on the data generated at the town hall meetings with an emphasis on action items. Data collected will be used to develop some action plans and activities for the watershed group to work on with communities. Watershed plan goals and objectives will continue to be adapted with more town meetings and one-on-one contacts. 

For more information about the Honey Creek town hall meetings, contact Dane Mutter at 937-667-1086. 

References: 
Adaptive Participation in Watershed Management by Caron Chess, Billie JoHance, Ginger Gibson. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Third quarter 2000.

Honey Creek Watershed Inventory.2000. Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.

Stopping the Spread of Exotic Species in Ohio Waterways

Dana Oleskiewicz, Watershed Management Agent, OSU Extension, NE OH District

An exotic species is a plant or animal that has been introduced into an area of land or water where it did not originally evolve.  Exotics are a concern worldwide because they can successfully compete against the native species.  This is due to the fact that competitors, parasites, pathogens, and predators from their home environment do not threaten them.  Without these threats, exotics can flourish to the point of crowding out the native species.  Exotic species can alter habitats in such a way that it is detrimental and can even cause native species to become extinct.

Some exotic species of concern in Ohio waterways include Zebra Mussels, Eurasian Water Milfoil, and Purple Loosestrife.  These species can be accidentally or intentionally introduced into an area where they don«t belong.  Here are several ways that individuals can help to protect habitats from exotic species infestations¹.

Zebra Mussel

Eurasian Water Milfoil

Purple Loosestrife

1. Learn what these organisms look like and monitor for their presence.  If you suspect a new infestation of an exotic plant or animal, report it to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) at 614-265-6344. 
2. Do not transport water, animals or plants from one lake or river to another.  In fact, it is illegal to be in possession of exotic species.
3. Remove plants and animals from your boat, trailer, and accessory equipment before leaving the water access area.
4. Drain your livewells, bilge water, and transom wells before leaving the water.
5. Empty your bait bucket on land, never into the water.  Never dip your bait or minnow bucket into one lake if it has water in it from another.  Never dump life fish from one water body into another.
6. Wash your boat, tackle, downriggers, and trailer with hot water.  Flush hot water through your motor«s cooling system and other boat parts that normally get wet.  If possible, let everything dry for three days before transporting your boat to another body of water to kill Zebra Mussel larvae.
7. Organize educational campaigns, committees, and volunteers and conduct public awareness events to educate the public about exotic species.
8. Consult Ohio Department of Natural Resources for recommendations before you try to control or eradicate an exotic "pest".  Remember, exotic species thrive on disturbance.  Do-it-yourself control treatments often make matters worse and can harm native species.

Biological diversity can be lost if exotic species are allowed to take over an environment.  The spread of exotic species can only be stopped through the cooperation of everyone who lives and recreates in Ohio waterways.  Please do your part in protecting native habitats.

¹Adapted from "Preventing the Introduction of Exotic Species", Number 15 in the Series Protecting Minnesota Waters, November 1992, Minnesota Extension Service. 

Ohio's Scenic River Program: Protecting Our Most Pristine Waterways

Adapted by J.P. Lieser, Watershed Agent
OSU Extension, East District

Often watershed management activities in Ohio focus on the restoration of impaired waterways. This makes sense because many of the 61,000 stream miles have been altered or impacted in some way. However, while restoration is important, we must remember that protection of our most pristine waterways is not a given. This was the thought when Ohio pioneered The Wild, Scenic and Recreational River Act in 1968. The goal of the program was to promote the protection of the natural qualities of Ohio's finest streams in order to maintain high water quality and improve the habitat for stream organisms. While this is still true today, we realize now that there are many more attributes that high quality rivers and streams provide. For example, drinking water, streamside wildlife habitat, recreation and relaxation, income from tourism, and increased property values.

Today, Ohio has eleven rivers with 679 river miles designated within the program. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP), 46 other rivers may meet the qualifications to become designated, but a lack of funding and local participation are responsible for the lack of Scenic River designations. Obviously, there is enormous potential to expand the Scenic Rivers Program through the protection of existing high quality streams and the restoration of others. Also, informing our local representatives and community on the benefits of high quality streams and the Scenic River Act are important. If a river is designated, it does not authorize government agencies to restrict the use of private property nor does it allow anyone to enter upon private property. Property values usually increase due to designation and landowners are still able to hunt, fish, or build on their property. No government takings are involved.

Under this act there are three possible designations for a stream section: Wild, Scenic, or Recreational. The criteria for each are different and depend on the percentage of streamside forest, the presence of roads, dams, and the condition of the biological community. In general, a stream section must be at least 10 miles in length, have special scenic, wildlife, historic, or recreational values while being free of dams and impoundments.

The designation process begins with resolutions of support from local government representatives. Once the DNAP receives the resolutions of support it begins an in-depth study of the river to make sure it meets the qualifications. If it does meet the qualifications and local participation is assured, then a legal intent to designate is issued.  This requires a 30-day waiting period before official designation, but the usual wait is 60 days. Often public meetings are held during the comment period to hear the concerns of local landowners. After the 60 days, the Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources can officially designate the river as Wild, Scenic, or Recreational. Upon designation a local advisory council is formed, which includes local officials, landowners, and conservation organizations. This is very important because designation alone does not protect the river, only an on-going commitment by local people will ensure that the program lives up to its fullest potential. The final step is the assignment of a River Coordinator.  The Coordinator provides a link between the local community and the Scenic Rivers Office in Columbus.

* Adapted from Ohio Scenic River Program: A citizen's guide. Rivers Unlimited.

Further Information:
-Ohio Scenic River Program: A citizen's guide. Rivers Unlimited. (513) 761-4003
-ODNR Scenic Rivers Program. (614) 265-6453.

State Fish Campaign Goes Full Circle

Michael Utt, President , The Ohio Smallmouth Alliance 

Over twelve years ago, a class at the Holy Rosary School in St. Marys, OH embarked on a mission to get the Smallmouth Bass designated as Ohio's state fish. What was sure to be a done deal was shut down by the infamous "walleye uprising" from big business interests at Lake Erie.

A dozen years later, the eighth graders at that same school were presented with the Make it OH-FISH-ALL Smallmouth Bass, Our State Fish campaign and asked to rejoin the statewide effort to have the Smallmouth Bass, once and for all, designated as our state fish. H.B. 19 legislation was detailed for the students, as was the importance of a state symbol that would represent clean water.

There has to be poetic justice or just plain karma in allowing this generation of Holy Rosary students to learn about and complete what their classroom predecessors started years ago. The students were very enthusiastic and plans are being made to engage other schools, especially in the Cincinnati area, home of Senate President Dick Finan, to join in the effort.  Components of State government, letter writing, and environmental science will all be used to encourage students to become a part of the largest coalition ever assembled for a state symbol.

Direct inquires to:

Michael Utt, President
The Ohio Smallmouth Alliance
(937) 592-9534
muttxl@bright.net

Mrs. Anna May Saum, Principal
Holy Rosary School
St. Marys, OH 45885
saum@bright.net

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Get to Know the Core 4 Initiative!

Robert McCall, Watershed Management Agent, OSU Extension, NW District

What is Core 4 Conservation?

Core 4 is a common-sense approach to improving farm profitability while addressing environmental concerns. The approach is easily adaptable to virtually any farming situation and can be fine tuned to meet your unique needs. The net result is better soil, cleaner water, greater on-farm profits, and a brighter future for all of us. 

Sustainable soils, which increase long-term productivity, result from increased organic matter, improved soil moisture, reduced compaction, sequestered carbon, and reduced erosion from water and wind to create a better soil.  In addition to food, fiber, energy and other renewable resources, agriculture can also protect and improve water quality.  Sharpening management skills and utilizing the latest appropriate technologies result in higher levels of economic efficiency and cropland productivity.  Consumer expectations include more than abundant food, fiber and energy. They also expect agriculture to protect air, soil, water, and wildlife for a brighter future for all of us.

The principles of Core 4 Conservation are largely guided by implementing conservation tillage practices, crop nutrient management, integrated pest management and installing conservation buffers.

What is Conservation Tillage?

It is a system of crop production with little, if any, tillage. It increases the residue from the crop that remains in the field after harvest through planting. This results in increased natural recycling of crop residues.

What is Crop Nutrient Management?

It's matching nutrient availability with the plant's needs. Crop producers do this by increasing the efficiency of nutrient use. Thus producers fine-tune application rates, timing and placement to match plant growth.  Increased use efficiency results in reduced nutrient losses. 

What is Integrated Pest Management?

It's a comprehensive approach to fine tuning on-farm management of harmful weeds and pests. Today we have improved methods for control of weeds, insects and diseases. Management strategies that allow for better control, with minimum risk to the environment. Resistant plants, cultural controls, soil amendments, beneficial insects, natural enemies, barriers, physical treatments, behavioral disruptants, biological and conventional pesticides are some of these management strategies. 

What are Conservation Buffers?

Conservation Buffers are small areas or strips of land in vegetation, designed to slow water runoff, provide shelter and stabilize riparian areas. Strategically placed in the agricultural landscape, buffers can effectively mitigate the movement of sediment, nutrients, and pesticides within farm fields. Buffers include: contour buffer strips, field borders, filter strips, windbreaks, and wetlands. A small amount of land in buffers can assist producers in meeting both economic and environmental goals. 

For more information on Core 4 Conservation concepts, go to http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/Core4/WhatsC4.html. Also at this site is proof in the initiative in Ohio Lake Erie/Maumee River Basin, Indiana and Ohio at http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/Core4/success/Maumee.html

* Adapted from website at http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/Core4/  

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