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GLWWA seeks partnership with Indiana organization |
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Thursday, 28 August 2008 |
By ANGELA WEAVER
Staff Writer
CELINA — The Grand Lake/Wabash Watershed Alliance met Wednesday night and featured a representative from Indiana as part of a collaborative effort between Indiana and Ohio.
Watershed Coordinator Laura Walker said the partnership is part of a low-cost, high productivity production plan. Ron James, the executive Director of the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission in Indiana, spoke at the meeting about his program, which was created 18 years ago by Indiana legislators for the development and use of the Wabash River.
“We have an education program,” James said. “We have developed a DVD of a 57-minute PBS program. We have done recreational things — we’ve marked a water trail and river road markings for the Heritage Trail and Heritage Communities.”
The effort would affect people who live along the Wabash watershed in Ohio and who live in the upper Wabash River basin in Indiana.
“We want to catch border (land) owners so they know about programs on both sides,” James said.
The GLWWA drafted a letter of in support of James’ Upper Wabash River Basin Commission in its effort to receive a 319 Grant, which James said would address agriculture-oriented water quality and best management practices.
The GLWWA also announced the change to its Canoe Float Aug. 29 to a Canoe Paddle Sept. 25, as well as a public meeting that will be held that day.
“The Wabash is too fluctuating,” Walker said of the change from a float to a paddle.
The Division of Watercraft and Division of Parks will provide canoes, paddles and life vests at the public event, and participants will follow the wind from west to east. The Department of Solid Waste may sponsor the event and Walker said their recycling coordinator may speak.
“A couple marinas have also offered to help,” Walker said. “(Park Manager) Craig Morton said he might bring his kayak, and we encourage that.”
Walker added that the water temperature should be warm and the boats should fit at least two people, maybe three if they are smaller.
Tom Rampe with the Lake Improvement Association suggested the group may want to have a few stopping points scheduled along the way and Walker said she agreed.
James said his group has a similar event every year and they have used it as a community event.
“It can be quite a nice community builder,” James said. “It’s a wonderful time for the community to get together.”
Walker said she hopes for at least 20 participants.
Other news:
• Walker is working to finalize the grant report for the Nutrient Management Field Day, which she said she is just waiting on pictures for.
“I was happy with it,” Walker said. “And the dealers seemed to be happy.”
About 70 people attended the Nutrient Management Field Day and about half or more were producers.
• The GLWWA submitted their revisions to the Wabash 319 Grant Application to the Ohio Environmental Protection agency, Walker said.
• The GLWWA has received $35,270 to allocate to the 2008 Agriculture Incentive program, and they have received 12 applications so far. The GLWWA made a motion to approve the applications, as well as a second ranking date of Sept. 15. Walker said she will continue to send out mailings about the program.
• The Grand Lake St. Marys geotextile tube project, in conjunction with Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, is in the works. Walker said once the bidding is finalized, dredge work can begin on the project to stabilize an 800 foot area of shoreline near Windy Point.
“Once we get the bids back, we can start this fall,” Walker said. “If it takes longer, we may have to wait year because of the high water level in the spring.”
• Walker said they are starting to see the installation of the $1 million demonstration project, with a little more than $912,000 being allocated.
“We’re starting to see the hay filter strips and cover crops,” Walker said.
• The GLWWA has sold a few more than 25 soil sample coupons, and Walker said they received some results back Wednesday.
“They were showing lower phosphorus results,” Walker said, adding that it was not typical to what they have seen in the past, and they will continue to monitor the levels.
The tentative date for the next GLWWA Joint Board is set for 4 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Central Service Building in Celina. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 September 2008 )
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