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Apr
20
Written by:
news editor
4/20/2010 1:00 AM
4/20/10 Governor Strickland & U.S. Senator Brown, in cooperation with ODNR, have secured $1 million in new funding to expand conservation practices and improve water quality in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed.
Governor Strickland and U.S. Senator Brown
secure $1 million in funding for Grand Lake St. Marys Watershed
COLUMBUS, OH-- Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), have secured $1 million in new funding to expand conservation practices and improve water quality in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed.
“Grand Lake St. Marys is a critical resource for the region and its cleanup must be a priority,” said Senator Brown. “I am proud that these federal dollars will help local farmers reduce runoff in the watershed, providing cleaner water and thriving wildlife habitat.”
This will be the third year that Senator Brown and Governor Strickland have worked to secure funding for Grand Lake St. Marys which rewards farmers for their commitment to improving water quality. Funding will be used for the creation of buffer strips along creeks running into Grand Lake St. Marys. The government will provide incentive payments to cover a portion of the planting costs, with the rest covered by participating farmers who must meet eligibility requirements established by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
“Our investment in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed demonstrates Ohio’s commitment to improving the lake’s water quality and strengthening the local economy, which is dependent on both agriculture and tourism,” said Governor Ted Strickland. “These resources will help local agencies work together to address the long-term challenges facing the lake and surrounding communities. Thanks to Senator Brown’s leadership, we are helping this area improve an important natural resource.”
The Grand Lake St. Marys watershed encompasses 59,160 acres across Mercer and Auglaize counties in western Ohio. Not only is it a popular recreational lake, but Grand Lake St. Marys serves as a community drinking water resource.
Improving Grand Lake St. Marys’ water quality is in large part connected to proper nutrient management in the watershed and taking in-lake, near shore and tributary channel actions that will also help improve lake health. Many livestock operators, agricultural producers and landowners are already working with local soil and water conservation districts to implement conservation practices using the financial incentives associated with Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funding from NRCS.
“Given the eagerness by which agricultural producers have taken advantage of the EQIP incentives that make a big difference in the long term, we think it’s prudent to continue to support these great collaborative efforts,” said Terry Cosby, NRCS state conservationist.
This year, additional NRCS funding will ensure that local livestock and agricultural operators in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed may continue their commitment to implementing conservation practices on their land. Part of the $1 million EQIP funding available will be used to address land management practices, such as developing grass buffers, wetlands and planting cover crops. Funds will also help operators develop and construct sufficient manure storage facilities enabling operators to better utilize their manure for crop production.
“The agricultural community has made positive strides to meet the challenges of improving conservation practices and has committed to being part of the solution,” said ODNR Director Sean Logan. “It is critical that we continue to work together to use proven practices and develop innovative strategies for the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed, which will provide a balance between economic development and conservation.”
Efforts such as those adopted by the agricultural community, in addition to other measures, such as upgrading domestic sewage treatment and control, improving sediment and erosion, restoring wetlands and reducing non-agricultural nutrient applications, will help ensure the recovery of Grand Lake St. Marys.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com.
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For more information, contact:
Mike Shelton, ODNR Office of External Affairs
614. 265. 6891
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860
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