Buckeye Basins Newsletter: Winter 2003-2004

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:

• OSU's Stream Ecology Lab
• Community Capacity Building Essential for Water Resource Protection
• Clean Ohio Funds are Helping Watershed Protection Efforts
• How Area Assistance Teams Can and Do Benefit Watershed Project
• Sandusky River Coalition Update

Dr. Lance Williams, School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University

It seems hard to believe, but for the last 18 months my stream ecology laboratory has been in operation in the School of Natural Resources. Moving a research program from the Southeastern United States to the Midwest has not been without its share of challenges, but we are finally settling in and getting used to snow! I am originally from Oklahoma (so I have seen snow before) but lived in Mississippi and Louisiana for about 6 years before coming here.

Overall, the goal of our lab is to understand how land-use changes affect the ecology of streams and riparian areas. While my training is in Zoology and Fisheries, we work on a variety of issues related to watershed management in my lab. Currently, 5 graduate students, 4 undergraduates, and 2 research associates are working on various projects in the lab. Some of our current research includes:

1. Studying impacts of different forest management practices (including clear cutting and fire) on stream fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages in Southeastern U.S. streams.
2. In Ohio, we are comparing food web dynamics in highly modified agricultural streams to systems with intact, second growth forest riparian areas.
3. Ecology of threatened or sensitive fish species, including the leopard darter, the sabine shiner, and the brown madtom.
4. We are also evaluating different bioassessment protocols and their appropriateness in different ecoregions across the eastern U.S.

In addition to the Fisheries Techniques (NR 626) course taught every autumn, I will be offering a new aquatic course on the Columbus campus this coming spring quarter (2004), Ecology and Management of Aquatic Invertebrates (NR 627). In this class, we will cover identification and ecology of the major groups of freshwater invertebrates, with an emphasis on insects, crustaceans, and mussels. An important component of this field course will be how invertebrates can be used as bioindicators in stream assessments. I will be team-teaching a new one-credit introductory course (NR 119 ¯ Professional Survey of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife) this winter 2004 quarter as well.

For further information on the Stream Ecology Lab, contact Dr. Williams at 614-292-7739 or by email (williams.2323@osu.edu). A website for the lab is currently in development and should be available sometime in early 2004.

Community Capacity Building Essential for Water Resource Protection

Dana Oleskiewicz, Watershed Agent, OSU Extension

Part 2: The Social Aspect

The goal of community-based watershed management is to incorporate public values in management decisions. This approach improves the quality of decisions and can resolve conflict among competing interests¹. It also builds trust among the stakeholders and educates the general public. The social implication is that it fosters a sense of duty and the ability to make good management choices. The planning process should create stewards that will take action to protect the water of their community.

Collaboration among the community stakeholders for the goal of good water quality is a social issue. While water management is the desired outcome during watershed planning and implementation, it is the social system that is critical for success. Diverse stakeholder involvement, a participatory decision-making process, strong agreement between stakeholders, and good follow-through on those agreements results in the most successful water management programs.

A community, acting as a social system, must have resources for water protection. This usually occurs with a catalyst, either a problem to be solved or recognition that there is a need for change. The most successful examples involve having both a facilitating governmental agency and a community grassroots organization initiating the watershed planning, and with great attention to capacity building².

Capacity building means gathering the necessary resources: people, technical knowledge, financial ability, networking measures, organizational skills, and legitimacy. A broad stakeholder base will offer these resources. The government agency can bring the technical know-how and some money, while the local grassroots group can expand the ideas, people, local connections, and financial power that the agencies lack.Ž This is the strength in having both involved, as it diversifies the effort.

Watershed management must be heavily staffed, so bringing numerous and the right people into the process is key. This involves targeting individuals that will increase capacity, such as those with the knowledge on water resource protection, Best Management Practices, and fundraising. Groups should strive to have the right mix of people that can bring financial connections, networking abilities, knowledge about organizational efficiency, and good representation from the community especially the land use decision makers.

Successful watershed management, through effective capacity building, requires a strong community-based approach with broad stakeholder involvement. The partnerships that result must be effective and collaborative in their environmental decision-making and implementation.

œPart 3: Successful Participation” will be presented in the Spring Buckeye Basins.

¹Beierle, T.C. and J. Cayford, 2002. œDemocracy in Practice: Public Participation in Environmental Decisions.” Resources for the Future: Washington, D.C.

²Steelman, T.A., 1999. œCommunity-Based Environmental Management: Agency- and Community-Driven Efforts.” Presented at the 21^st Annual Research Conference of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. Graduate School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado: Boulder, CO.

Clean Ohio Funds are Helping Watershed Protection Efforts

Jerry Iles, Watershed Agent, OSU Extension

Several local watershed groups throughout the state have been successful in obtaining Clean Ohio Funds to help protect and enhance their watersheds. These funds are available in two funding cycles per year. Visit the Ohio Department of Development's website for more information. The following are a few examples of how watershed groups have used these funds. <http://www.odod.state.oh.us/ud/CORF.htm>

The Hocking River Commission has purchased over 20 acres of riparian habitat using Clean Ohio and Ohio Department of Transportation funding. A seven acre site of riparian habitat located in Logan in an area of fast moving water known as Falls Mills was purchased in September of 2002. This historic mill site is visible from the Rt. 664 bridge which is slated for replacement in 2004-2005. The purchase includes lands on both sides of the river. This area may provide the future site of a canoe take¯out and portage site with a small parking area. In addition, the HRC has purchased over thirteen acres just north of Athens with access from Columbus Road. Plans for this site are still being developed. The area contains a young streamside forest that will be preserved in perpetuity as a result of the purchase. The Hocking River Commission is working to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to open these areas for public fishing access. Much of the land adjacent to the Hocking River is private property with limited or no access.

Clean Ohio Funds are also being used to protect the Great Miami River Watershed. The following examples were provided by Angela Manusak and Sarah Hippensteel of the Miami Conservancy District.

In 2002 and 2003, the Miami Conservancy District protected nearly 1200 acres of floodplain and riparian corridors through successful application for Clean Ohio Fund monies. During this time frame $2.75 million, including $1.4 million from the Clean Ohio Fund, has been invested in protecting important streamside land in the Great Miami River Watershed. This work has been accomplished through the participation of willing landowners and a broad base of support. By actively seeking creative partnerships with local park districts, municipalities, and state agencies, six separate projects have been funded. Fee simple and conservation easement acquisition coupled with landowner donations have increased the appeal of proposals to local Natural Resource Assistance Councils who are charged with prioritizing projects for funding.

The Miami Conservancy District, a regional government agency created to prevent future flooding after the Great Flood of 1913, believes that healthy watersheds include rivers with functioning floodplains and natural stream corridors. Among the six successful Clean Ohio projects, partner organizations have plans to protect municipal well fields, provide passive recreational access, restore native vegetation, and prevent future urban development.

For more information on obtaining Clean Ohio Funds to enhance your local watershed, contact The Ohio Public Works Commission at (614) 466-0880.

How Area Assistance Teams Can and Do Benefit Watershed Projects

J.P. Lieser, Watershed Agent, OSU Extension

In the last issue of Buckeye Basins, I wrote about getting the most out of your Area Assistance Team from the perspective of AAT members, for the benefit of watershed project leaders. This article addresses how Area Assistance Teams can be or have been of service to watershed projects from the perspective of watershed coordinators. Below are the major topics discussed.

1) Creation of Watershed Action Plans and Appendix 8

The Coordinators contacted were unanimous in their appreciation or desire for guidance in the creation of watershed action plans. In particular, they requested specific advice regarding Appendix 8. ŽThey felt that following Appendix 8 was a challenge and they were not entirely comfortable about how to meet the requirements outlined.

2) Outreach and Education Programs

Coordinators felt they needed assistance in planning, coordinating, and presenting Outreach and Education Programs. Coordinators felt outreach is essential for project success, but often was not done adequately due to a lack of time and/or individual expertise.

3) Grant Writing

Technical advice, such as the calculation of loadings and editing grant applications, were mentioned as ways that AAT members could assist watershed projects write successful grants.

4) Public Meetings

Public meetings are an important part of watershed planning and implementation. Coordinators appreciate AAT assistance in planning meetings, attendance at meetings in support of the projects, and providing meeting facilitation.

5) Ally, Colleague, Friend, Confidant

Many Coordinators work in offices where they are the only person working on watershed projects. They appreciate having someone to talk to about watershed issues, share their successes, or to vent their frustrations. AAT members are seen as people with whom they can share experiences which are unique to our field.

Thank you to Kaabe Shaw of the Duck Creek Watershed Project, Melody Dragoo of The White Oak Creek Watershed Group, and Paul Gledhill of the Upper Scioto River Watershed Project for their assistance in the writing of this article.

Sandusky River Coalition Update

Robert McCall, Watershed Agent, OSU Extension

The Sandusky River Watershed Coalition's first coordinator, Monica Chibucos, returned to graduate school this fall at Michigan State University. Chris Riddle was hired in September of 2003 as her replacement. Chris is a 2003 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor's in Environmental Science. He is currently continuing his education at BGSU in pursuit of a Masters of Public Administration. As an undergrad Chris participated in a coop with the ODNR Division of Wildlife, Bald Eagle Program. Chris also volunteers at Nature's Nursery Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education in Whitehouse, Ohio. The Coalition originally hired Chris as the Source Water Specialist in May 2003. These experiences have helped Chris learn to work with volunteers and partner organizations. He feels that the relationships the coalition has with partner groups and citizens will help get things accomplished in the 1800 square mile Sandusky Watershed.

The Coalition is currently working on numerous projects. A 319 grant for replacement of home septic systems is still under EPA review, but if awarded, could provide the coalition and its partners with funds to replace systems in key areas of concern. They are also working to continue the work on source water protection, under the guidance of the water supply sub-committee. The development sub-committee is working on producing informational guides to recreational opportunities within the watershed, as well as trying to fund signage for many bridge crossings. The Heidelberg Water Quality Lab, a significant Coalition Partner, has applied for funding to start planning efforts in two of the Sandusky River's 14 subwatersheds, a task that will be no small accomplishment. This plan will then be submitted to Ohio EPA for endorsement. The coalition is working hard to increase public participation and buy-in, a very difficult task in such a large and rural watershed.

The coalition will be welcoming Dr. Larry Brown to its winter meeting in January. He will be leading a discussion on, what else, agricultural impacts in the watershed. The coalition is constantly working on ways to improve producer participation, a crucial segment of the land use pie at over 83%. A grant for a farmer recognition and focus group development program has been submitted as well. The support of the farm community can help the coalition be more successful than ever within the watershed. The involvement of the educational community is being sought for the development of a science curriculum at this time as well. The coalition's website can be visited at www.riverwatershed.org, and is always being updated with current information.