COLUMBUS, OH - Three Valley Conservation Trust in Preble County recently received a $192,000 watershed coordinator grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
The grant money will support a watershed coordinator position for the trust, which oversees protection and restoration efforts for western tributaries of the Great Miami River, including Twin Creek, Four Mile Creek, Seven Mile Creek and Indian Creek.
“Watershed coordinators play an important role in preserving and protecting Ohio's most vital streams and lakes,” said David Hanselmann, chief of the ODNR Division of Soil & Water Conservation. “They build public ownership of watershed protection across the state.”
The trust will receive the $192,000 over the next six years. The grant will cover salary for a watershed coordinator. Watershed coordinators perform public outreach and lead their communities in the creation of watershed action plans, with the goal of bringing all waters within their area into compliance with accepted water quality standards. They also identify areas where the water quality is excellent, and work with local residents to raise awareness of these areas and formulate protection strategies.
Funding for Ohio’s watershed coordinator grants comes from Clean Water Act money, administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and state general revenue. This partnership offers operational support to 30 local programs around the state. Grants were awarded on a competitive basis.