We are fortunate to have two great partners leading the efforts to reclaim abandoned mine lands in our Watershed. Roger Osborne (B & N Coal) and Todd Crum (ODNR- Division of Mineral Resource Management) are hard at work planning and implementing private and public reclamation projects.

Over the years our knowledge of the environmental impacts of mining has increased and new laws have been enacted to protect our lands and waters. Mining projects conducted in SE Ohio prior to modern reclamation laws have left areas of acidic land that are eroding and clogging our streams with sediment and metals. The excess sediment increases the flooding problems in our watershed and reduces our water quality.

Taxes on current mining operations provide funds for reclamation projects for watersheds in 12 Ohio counties, including Washington and Noble. Private companies like B & N Coal use modern technology to re-mine old sites and reclaim them under current regulations that are designed to protect our environment. This link provides information on reclamation: http://www.ohiodnr.com/mineral/aml/tabid/10422/Default.aspx

One of the problems outlined in the Watershed Action Plan for the Duck Creek Watershed is a lack of riparian (streamside) buffers on sections of the Lower & Upper Duck Creek and Paw Paw Creek. Urban development in the lower section and agricultural practices in the Upper Duck have created stream sections that do not have sufficient vegetation along the banks to prevent erosion and provide wildlife habitat.

Paw Paw Creek has been designated as an Exceptional Warm Water Habitat. Planting trees along the banks to create a 50 foot wide corridor on either side of the stream will provide shade to keep the water temperature stable, prevent erosion and filter nutrients and sediment. Sedimentation caused by human activities such as mining, agriculture and construction is a major cause of impairment in the Duck Creek Watershed. Excessive sediment in the stream contributes to flooding problems and reduces water quality. This link provides information about the importance and function of riparian corridors

http://www.crcpo.org/AHRBROCHURES/Riparianbrochure.pdf

If you have a farm in Noble County on Greasy Run/Elk Fork, Road Fork/Schwab Run, Mare Run or Dog Run, you may be eligible for future cost share programs for agricultural best management practices. Several of the watershed grants now require a verbal commitment by several landowners in a sub-watershed before they will award a grant for livestock exclusion, alternative watering sources and nutrient management practices.

These practices can decrease stream bank erosion and nutrient runoff while protecting your livestock from stream related injuries and water borne illnesses. Please follow this link to find information about the increased production benefits of livestock exclusion www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-766/442-766.html

You may also apply directly for incentive programs for various conservation practices through your local USDA agencies. Timelines for applications and awards, incentive payments and restrictions vary from program to program. Please contact Jacki Zevenbergen, Duck Creek Watershed Coordinator at 740.373.7113 x 227 or jacki.zevenbergen@oh.nacdnet.net if you would like to learn more about the programs that are available for the Duck Creek Watershed.

The watershed partnership is working with local agencies and officials to encourage the installation of a system that will not only provide important flood warning but will also provide stream flow information. Locations for the gauges have been selected and funding arrangements are being discussed. Please check out these sites to learn more about flood warning systems

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/oh/nwis/rt

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2204

http://ema.ohio.gov/TechnicalSupport_Warnings.aspx

http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/pr97/apr97/noaa97-r212.html

The Watershed Coordinator is working with local agencies and officials to address the pollution and health risks associated with failing septic systems in Washington and Noble Counties. Approximately 60% of the systems in our counties are failing to properly treat wastewater. This is a common problem for rural areas in Ohio and we hope to address this problem at the local level. We are currently looking for funding sources that will give landowners the resources they need to update and maintain their septic systems. We are also supporting efforts to obtain funding for community sewage treatment systems in areas where small lot sizes are preventing the proper treatment of sewage with Home Sewage Treatment Systems systems. This link provides information about Home Sewage Treatment Systems http://www.epa.state.oh.us/ocapp/storm_workshop/septic system.pdf