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OSU Extension Watershed Team
Buckeye Basins Newsletter Archive
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Buckeye Basins Newsletter: Summer 2007Buckeye Basins is produced by the Ohio State University Extension, Watershed 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. Please feel free to ask questions, share ideas, or provide feedback. In This Issue:
Welcome to our Summer 2007 issue of the Buckeye Basins newsletter. Spring has seen a flurry of watershed related activities throughout Ohio. Several local watershed groups have hosted stream sweeps and canoe floats. Many coordinators and volunteers have started to plan watershed monitoring activities. Others have attended recent trainings here in Ohio as well as other conferences such as National River Rally in Oregon. While the upcoming months will no doubt be busy I hope you have a little time to slow down and read this issue which contains information on such diverse topics as volunteer monitoring, watershed management basics, rain gardens and a new approach for working with your community. Please note all of the announcements for upcoming conferences and training sessions right here in Ohio! I hope you all will attend our annual Ohio Watershed Leaders Conference (OWLS 2007) which will be held at Lake Erie's beautiful Buleah Beach near Old Woman Creek estuary on August 30th & 31st. A beautiful setting which provides a variety of natural habitats for learning and exploration. Thanks for subscribing to the Buckeye Basins and enjoy the summer!
Jerry Iles
Ohio Watershed Leaders (OWLS) 2007 When: Thursday, August 30 - Friday, August 31, 2007 Where: The 2007 OWLS Workshop will be held on the south-central shores of Lake Erie at Beulah Beach in Vermilion, Ohio. The location is a few miles from the Old Woman Creek estuary. As a transition zone between land and water, this educational site will offer a variety of habitats to explore including marshes and swamps, upland forests, open waters of the estuary, tributary streams, and barrier beach. Meals, classroom instruction, and overnight accommodations will be held at Beulah Beach camp. Participants will be staying in cottages near the outdoor swimming pool and just minutes from the lake shore. Please plan to bring your own bedding, towels, and toiletries. What: An informal hands-on workshop for watershed coordinators, agency professionals, watershed partnerships, and interested citizens. This event will consist of field-oriented training while at the same time providing an opportunity to foster new relationships in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. The target audience is watershed coordinators, agency professionals, watershed partners, and interested citizens. The final agenda will be posted in mid-June. Sponsors:
Registration: Registration for this year's event is $60 per person, which covers instructional materials, meals, lodging, and a t-shirt. Registration is limited to the first 60 respondents, and registration forms must be received by August 13, 2007. Registration materials will be available by July 1st. Additional Location Information
World Café: Facilitating Meaningful Conversations with Large Groups How can you engage a large group of people in your watershed in a meaningful conversation that will go beyond the familiar listing of problems and solutions? There are many processes - often coming out of the fields of community and organizational development - for facilitating conversations that tap into the creative energy of a large group. One such process that is being used around the world is called World Café. A World Café is a method for structuring conversations with large groups of people in a way that allows powerful ideas to emerge and spread throughout the entire group and, eventually, an entire social system. Joe Bonnell and Anne Baird recently facilitated two World Cafés for the Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) and the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission's (MORPC) annual meeting on Apr. 19th. The purpose of the FLOW cafe was to generate ideas on how to connect members of neighboring communities to the Olentangy River. One of the outcomes of the café was ideas on educational products (e.g., displays and events) related to a river restoration project. The conversation also resulted in ideas for involving the arts community in promoting the river as a focal point for recreation. The MORPC café was designed to build connections among community members and generate ideas on improving quality of life in central Ohio. John Victor with Communications and Technology produced a mural capturing the ideas generated at the MORPC meeting: http://www.morpc.org/BR.htm The key features of the café approach is to capture the collective wisdom of a large group through intimate conversations between groups of four to six people. Several rounds of conversation are held and everyone moves to a different group after each round, which allows ideas and insights to spread throughout the system. Conversations are sparked by intriguing and positively worded questions that encourage participants to think beyond their own personal needs and interests. Key to the success of a World Café event is to create a relaxed atmosphere with food, lighting, music, and paper tablecloths to encourage doodling and graphic representation of ideas. To learn more about the World Café approach, you can go on-line to www.thewordcafe.com or check out the book "The World Café: Shaping our Futures Through Conversations that Matter" by Juanita Brown with David Isaacs and the World Café Community, published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., 2005. If you would like to plan a World Café in your watershed, contact Anne Baird and Joe Bonnell at Ohio State University Extension.
Using Rain Gardens to Aid in Stormwater Retention
Stormwater run-off is a major contributor of pollution to our streams and lakes. In fact some studies have found that 70% of the pollution in our waterways is directly from stormwater. One way that we can help is to keep rain that falls on our homes, parking areas, and yards on our property via a rain garden. What is a rain garden? If you are interested the following sites are a great place to begin research for your own rain garden.
Additional Information Federal Valley Watershed Group Names Horner As Coordinator The Federal Valley Watershed Group has hired Leslie Horner to be their Coordinator. She has a wealth of experience and Southeastern, Ohio is lucky to have her. Please, welcome Leslie to Ohio's watershed community. Leslie was born in Bellevue, Nebraska but was raised mostly in Springfield, OH. In 1996 she received a B.S. in Natural Sciences (concentration in Biology) from College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati; and in 2004 a M.S. in Forestry from University of Tennessee (focused on collaboration in natural resource management and rural community development). Her work experience includes; insect survey work in Cincinnati, environmental education instruction at Glen Helen; and worked with several non-profits on membership development, education and outreach. Most recently, she worked at the University of Tennessee as an Outreach Coordinator for a partnership that was working to develop a pro-active habitat conservation plan and planning process in the northern Cumberlands region. Leslie's hobbies and interests include; gardening, hiking and backpacking, cooking, singing and playing music When asked what the main issues are within her watershed, Horner replied, "First of all Federal Valley watershed is located in Appalachian Ohio, which means that residents face challenges such as limited access to jobs, water and sewer infrastructure, and other resources found in more urban areas. After several years of hard work developing an action plan for the watershed, the watershed group is now focused on addressing the concerns that were identified by residents as the plan was being developed. These water quality concerns include stream bank erosion, trash in the creeks, pollution from failing septic systems and other wastewater, and lack of trees along streams to act as buffers for stormwater run-off. My work will focus on engaging watershed residents and other stakeholders in efforts to improve stewardship of water resources, come together to share information and ideas with each other, and promote sustainable income opportunities based on the area's wealth of natural resources." If you wish to contact Leslie please see her information below. Leslie A. Horner Watershed Management: Dèjá vu Many of you that subscribe to the Buckeye Basins are working on completing a watershed management plan or implementing an endorsed watershed plan. These two phases of watershed management are very different yet there are some overriding principles that continue throughout the watershed management process. I find myself relaying much of the following information to new watershed coordinators, community groups considering formalizing a watershed group as well as local elected officials. Every now and then I feel it's important to review and take stock in my approach to watershed management. Read on and let me know if my approach needs tweaking. A Comprehensive Approach
Communication and Connectivity
Integrative and Innovative Monitoring
Dynamic Adaptive Management
Partnerships
Water is Trendy: Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) Call for Papers SESSION TOPICS: Presentations should focus on topics addressing trends in water resources management. Below is a list of suggested categories:
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION: Abstracts should be limited to 300 words or fewer. Abstracts should
communicate clearly and concisely the purpose, findings and implications of your investigation or study.
Abstracts will be reviewed and ranked for acceptance and placement in the program by members of the
Conference Planning Committee. Papers will be selected for presentation based on their merit and
relevance to the conference and session topics. Submissions that are thought provoking and address
controversial water resource issues and describe new areas of application or study are especially
welcomed. Authors' suggestions for topic placement will be considered, but the Conference Planning
Committee will make the final decision. Abstracts received after the JUNE 15, 2007 deadline may not
be accepted.
CONFERENCE FORMAT: The Conference will feature a keynote speaker in a plenary session and selected speakers in technical paper sessions. Additional authors will present results in a poster session that will occur in conjunction with a social hour and exhibition of goods and services involved with the numerous aspects of water resource management. Presenters are requested to attend to their posters during the social hour. POSTER PRESENTATION GUIDELINES: Posters are limited to 4 feet high x 6 feet wide. Posters can be affixed to the display area using either Velcro or push pins. Tape is not allowed. The poster should stimulate discussion, not give a long presentation of technical information. The poster should include diagrams, graphs, charts, photos and minimal text sufficient to illustrate the major points. Handouts that provide more details than the poster are encouraged but not necessary. STUDENT POSTER COMPETITION: All posters presented by students (undergraduate and graduate-
must be registered at an academic institution at the time of abstract submission) will automatically be
entered into the student poster competition. The poster selected by conference participants as "The
Peoples' Choice" will receive $100 and a oneyear
membership in WMAO. NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE: Successful applicants will be notified in early September 2007 that their abstracts have been selected for presentation. The session to which the abstract has been assigned will be indicated in the notification. PROGRAM SESSIONS: All individuals who agree to make a presentation at the conference will be contacted by a Conference Planning Committee representative, who will work directly with them to ensure a high level of quality and thematic consistency within the conference session. Session topics will be finalized once abstracts have been accepted and collated. MAIL TO:
2007 WMAO Fall Conference EMAIL TO: wmao@ngwa.org Please include "2007 Fall Conference Abstract" in the subject line. DEADLINE: Deadline for submission of abstracts is JUNE 15, 2007. For more information go to: Ohio Volunteer Monitoring Efforts Continue to Expand To view the current training sessions for volunteers check the link below: Introduction There are many watershed groups, community associations, educators, local governmental organizations, and private sector businesses that collect water quality data in Ohio. The purposes of these sampling efforts vary, as do the methods, quality control and data reporting procedures used. Given such a wide variation in sampling and analytical techniques, is it possible and worthwhile to consider the use of data collected by these individuals, volunteer groups and organizations? Yes. That was the determination and public policy made when the Ohio General Assembly passed Amended House Bill 43 in 2003. While there were a number of motivating factors that caused this legislative bill to be enacted into law, the concept that the State should have as much good scientific information about our surface waters as possible in order to properly manage them was a primary reason for the legislation. Ohio EPA, using the framework established by this legislation, has adopted rules for the surface water monitoring program designed to encourage and oversee the collection, analysis and use of data collected by "volunteer" individuals and organizations. To promote scientific validity, Ohio EPA has established specific requirements to participate in the program and to collect data using approved study plans. We hope that more water quality monitoring will be done by volunteers, both professionals and non-professionals, now that a formal program exists. For additional information about surface water volunteer monitoring program, contact: Jeff Reynolds
For information about current monitoring trainings visit the website below:
Example Draft Ordinance to Reduce Phosphorous From Lawns
Much of the following information was obtained through conversations with Sandy Bihn of the Western Lake Erie Association member and of the City of Oregon council, and Bruce Augustine from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Lake Erie, the shallowest and one of the most biologically productive lakes of the Great Lakes, is reverting back to phosphorous loading conditions at unacceptable levels. In the early 1970's, Lake Erie began its comeback after being declared a dead lake. The lake started to stabilize in terms of pollutant loadings. From 1975 to 1990 the lake made great improvements. Studies from Heidelberg College now show that from the early 1990's to present the lake is reverting back to unacceptable levels of phosphorous. Sources of phosphorous loadings primarily from its tributaries going into Lake Erie, and not in any order of significance, include sediment, septic and sewer systems, agriculture runoff, lawn fertilizer, dishwater detergent, and combinations of other minor sources. Excess phosphorous levels have a negative impact on the lake causing severe algae blooms along beaches which in turn cause beach closings, odor problems and potentially numerous health hazards. Some algae blooms have been recorded at 4.5 feet thick on the beaches of Lake Erie. A great deal of work has been done in the past to address agricultural sources of phosphorus, but now several Great Lake States have address lawn fertilizer as a source of phosphorus in the lakes. One way to help stop phosphorous inputs into their lake is by reducing phosphorous applications to lawns. While there are lawn fertilizers that are phosphorous free, many homeowners are not aware of the benefits of using these products. Typically, nutrients in lawn fertilizers are indicated with three numbers (e.g., 22-0-15). The first number indicates percentage of nitrogen in the product that would be applied to a lawn at the recommended rate. The second number indicates the percentage of phosphorous, and the third indicates potassium. Minnesota and New Jersey have adopted statewide legislation banning homeowners from applying phosphorous to mature lawns. Some local communities in Michigan have adopted similar bans. Some research has indicated that while these reductions may help to reduce phosphorous inputs into lakes and stream networks, their significance may not be statistically significant regarding homeowner lawns. The effort has now begun in Ohio with a phosphorous ban ordinance under consideration in Oregon, Ohio. Sandy Bihn with the help of Paul Goldberg, law director, has adapted a draft ordinance from those approved by Michigan communities. According to Ms. Bihn, "the ordinance has no substantive downside to the fertilizer industry, community leaders or the homeowner." However, some have debated the significance of such an ordinance. Communications with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company indicate their efforts include "a 50% reduction in phosphorous applications to lawns. This translates to the elimination of phosphorous in some products while others are reduced by as much as one third." The draft ordinance can easily be adapted to any community in Ohio with some minor edits and additions. However, local efforts might consider being cautious and consider an evaluation of the situation before the fact to determine what exactly is going on in their watershed. Ask yourself the question "how many homeowners in my watershed actually apply lawn fertilizers? How many commercial applications are occurring in my watershed? What estimates exist for nutrients that emanate from storm water in my watershed?" All avenues should be explored to some degree that will enable groups and communities to make the best informed decision for their watershed and stream network. In the event your group or community should explore using an ordinance of this kind, consider getting a workgroup together that includes a local lawn fertilizer dealer. They may have access to the most recent research that has been done in your watershed. Other sources of information for other such analyses might include US EPA, or the NPS (Non Point Source) list serve which is a national list serve monitored by US EPA. You can subscribe at https://lists.epa.gov/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=npsinfo and fill in the appropriate information. Having the best available information would give your initiative more credibility and strength. To download the draft ordinance you can visit http://westernlakeerie.org/phosphorous_generic_ord0507.doc. For questions or to obtain more information regarding the draft ordinance or what other states have done, please feel free to contact Sandy Bihn by email at Sandylakeerie@aol.com or by phone at 419-691-3788.
A Local Legend
Mary Stoertz Associate Professor of Hydrogeology at Ohio University passed away on February 26th, 2007. Mary was instrumental in the formation of the Monday Creek Restoration project and also worked closely with the Raccoon Creek Partnership, Hocking River Commission and Sunday Creek Restoration Project. Mary's enthusiasm served as a catalyst throughout the Ohio University community and lead to several of her former students pursuing watershed related vocations. Mary was able to interest several faculty to work together and focus research on community watershed issues and building community partnerships. This spring the Hocking River Commission planted several thousand trees on a recently purchased riparian property located near Frost Ohio. To honor Mary, this grove of trees will be named the Mary Wilder Stoertz Grove. All that were privileged to know and work with Mary miss her but we all know her spirit will carry on in future watershed restoration and protection efforts. Mary will never be forgotten.
Contact Buckeye Basins: Jerry Iles
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