20182018

Activity ReportActivity Report Celebrating 12 Years of Success!Celebrating 12 Years of Success!

2006 2006 -- 20182018

2018 Board of Directors2018 Board of Directors Headwaters Representative Mike Reed

The Outlet/Lye Creek Representative Richard Kozlowski

Eagle Creek Representative Bob Connour

Ottawa Creek Representative Don Croy

Riley Creek Representative Robert Antibus

Cranberry Creek Representative Jeremiah “Bud” Haselman

City of Findlay Representative Tim Watson

Village of Bluffton Joe Sehlhorst

Village of Ottawa Representative Tim Macke

At-Large #1 Representative Shane Myers

At-Large #2 Representative Chad Kirchner

At-Large #3 Representative Jane McCleary

At-Large #4 Representative Elaine Reynolds

At-Large #5 Representative William Doyle

At-Large #6 Representative Amy Downing

Watershed Coordinator Phil Martin*

*non voting

2018 Board Governance 2018 Board Governance

CommitteeCommittee Jane McCleary Bill Doyle

Elaine Reynolds

2018 Executive Committee2018 Executive Committee

President Elaine Reynolds Vice President Don Croy

Treasurer Tim Macke Secretary Bob Connour

2018 Contact Information2018 Contact Information

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1237

Findlay, OH. 45839-1237

Phone Number: (419) 422-6487

Email: brwp1237@gmail.com

Web Site: www.blanchardriver.org

Facebook: Blanchard River Watershed

Partnership

3

2017 Annual Meeting

Pictures

Thank You SupportersThank You Supporters 2018 Members, Corporate Sponsors and Major Donors2018 Members, Corporate Sponsors and Major Donors

INDIVIDUALINDIVIDUAL

Robert AntibusRobert Antibus Paul CraunPaul Craun Chad MarzecChad Marzec

Jeff NewcomerJeff Newcomer Jeff PutnamJeff Putnam

FAMILYFAMILY

Bob ConnourBob Connour Shane MyersShane Myers Michael ReedMichael Reed

Leo & Rita SchroederLeo & Rita Schroeder William & Mary Ann SuterWilliam & Mary Ann Suter Ty & Emily WeberTy & Emily Weber

MEMBERSHIP PLUSMEMBERSHIP PLUS

Tim BrugemanTim Brugeman Paul ChesterPaul Chester Robert & Amy Downing Robert & Amy Downing

William & Maile DoyleWilliam & Maile Doyle Richard KozlowskiRichard Kozlowski Richard KroegerRichard Kroeger

Tim MackeTim Macke Phil MartinPhil Martin Maumee Conservancy Dist.Maumee Conservancy Dist.

Mc Comb Family DentalMc Comb Family Dental Chad KirchnerChad Kirchner Dick & Jane McClearyDick & Jane McCleary

John & Jenny PilarowskiJohn & Jenny Pilarowski Park Dist. Foundation AllenPark Dist. Foundation Allen Pete & Elaine ReynoldsPete & Elaine Reynolds

Jim & Karon SpurgatJim & Karon Spurgat Steve & Jodi WilsonSteve & Jodi Wilson

COMPANY / AGENCYCOMPANY / AGENCY

City of FindlayCity of Findlay Hancock Park DistrictHancock Park District Millstream Area Credit Millstream Area Credit

Putnam County CommissionersPutnam County Commissioners Village of BlufftonVillage of Bluffton Union Union

Village of OttawaVillage of Ottawa Whirlpool CorporationWhirlpool Corporation

RAIN BARREL SPONSORSRAIN BARREL SPONSORS

AE CurbsideAE Curbside BeercoBeerco BPO Elks Lodge #75BPO Elks Lodge #75

Croy Mowing Ltd.Croy Mowing Ltd. Hancock County Farm BureauHancock County Farm Bureau Hancock SWCDHancock SWCD

Hancock Wood Electric CoopHancock Wood Electric Coop Hempy Water ConditioningHempy Water Conditioning Legacy Farmers Coop. Legacy Farmers Coop.

Putnam SWCDPutnam SWCD

And THANKS to the MANY farmers, landowners and residents along the Blanchard and creeks of the subwatersheds for their

ongoing cooperation and permission with water quality monitoring, stream observation walks and assistance discussing watershed

action plans. Add your name to this list in 2018, get involved, volunteer and donate to the BRWP!

Special thanks to all the local, state, and federal agencies for the help and support!Special thanks to all the local, state, and federal agencies for the help and support!

4

Partnership ActivitiesPartnership Activities this past year!this past year!

December 2017

Submitted the nine element NPS-IS Plan for the Tiderishi

Creek watershed to the Ohio EPA.

Erected signage on fields enrolled in the Great Lakes Basin

grant for doing research on improving soil health by increas-

ing the Soil Organic Material.

Completed the BRWP Water Quality report to the ODNR,

Division of Wildlife. The BRWP monitored 21 sites on the

Blanchard River, Little Riley Creek, Lye Creek and Riley

Creek using macroinvertebrate identification.

January 2018

State of Ohio and grant reports were completed and submitted.

Continued work a writing the NPS-IS Plan for the Marsh Run-Little Riley Creek Watershed

2018 BRWP Planning meeting was held at the Hancock County Engineer’s meeting room.

February 2018

Eight area high schools entered 23 rain barrels in our “Rain Barrel Decorating

Contest.” The decorated barrels were displayed at the Car Show held the Findlay

Village Mall. Several of the barrels were sponsored by local businesses. The

remaining barrels were sold to the public.

The BRWP sponsored the watershed category at the Putnam County Science Fair

held in Ottawa.

The BRWP held A Community Advisory Council meeting at the Hancock Ag.

Center with representative from the three regional groups to discuss the needs in

the watershed.

5

March 2018 Coordinator attended the advisory committee meeting for Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative

(HABRI) modeling in the Maumee River Basin at Heidelberg University. This group involves The Ohio State University and other universities that are doing modeling on concerns in the WLEB.

The NPS-IS Plan for the Marsh Run-Little Riley Creek watershed was submitted to the Ohio EPA for review.

Coordinator attended the Source Water Protection for the City of Findlay committee meeting to develop the Source Water Protection Plan for the City of Findlay.

Coordinator met with Dr. Johnson at the National Center for Water Quality Research (NCWQR) at Heidelberg University concerning the BRWP participating in a grant with the NRCS and the NCWQR for a comparison study of two HUC-12 watershed.

Coordinator attended the Lake Erie Forum III on the Harmful Algal Bloom.

April 2018 Received full endorsement of the NPS-IS Plan for Tiderishi Creek Watershed. The BRWP submitted a $201,233 Great Lakes Basin grant for the Tiderishi

Creek Watershed. The grant was awarded. Coordinator starting to write The Outlet-Blanchard River Watershed NPS-IS

Plan. Completed and submitted all state and grant reports.

May 2018

Photo documentation of all fields enrolled in grants was completed by the

coordinator.

Coordinator continued to work on all NPS-IS Plans. Intern started to write the NPS-IS Plan for the Lower Riley Creek Watershed

June 2018

The BRWP had a display at the Putnam County Fair in Ottawa.

The Coordinator oversaw the BRWP display to the Riverfront Gathering

Festival in Defiance.

Coordinator made presentation to Kids Summer Camp at the Fndlay YMCA.

July 2018

Coordinator and intern completed the spring macroinvertebrate water quality monitoring on the Blanchard River, Lye Creek, Riley Creek and Little Riley Creek.

Coordinator attended the Source Water Protection for the City of Findlay committee meeting to develop the Source Water Protection Plan for the City of Findlay.

Coordinator and intern attended the TNC 4R field day. Coordinator attended the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments meeting in Archbold. Applied for “Operation Round-up” grant from Hancock Wood Electric Cooperative to help write the NPS-

IS Plan for the City of Findlay Riverside Park-Blanchard River HUC-12 Watershed. The $2,500 grant was awarded.

6

August 2018

The BRWP sponsored a river clean-up with 14 incoming

freshman from the University of Findlay.

September 2018 Received full endorsement of the NPS-IS Plan for Marsh Run-

Little Riley Creek Watershed. The BRWP sponsored a Howards Run clean-up on the University of Findlay property with 6 volunteers from Marathon and volunteers from the UF Wilderness Club. The BRWP had a display at the Hancock County Fair.

The coordinator attended the “Understanding Algal Blooms: State of the

Science Conference” in Toldeo.

Completed the fall Water Quality monitoring using macroinvertebrate on

the Riley Creek and Little Riley Creek. .

The WS05-14-11 grant the BRWP was in charge of implementing ended.

The grant was for the Middle Riley Creek Watershed.

Final data from the grant showed:

949.56 acres enrolled in conservation tillage with an estimated load

reduction of 408 tons of sediment, 210 pounds of phosphorus.

488.11 acres enrolled in cover crops with an estimated load reduction of 209 tons of sediment, 324

pounds of phosphorus. The grant covered a three year period.

The 2018 Rain Barrel Decorating Contest was announced to the area schools.

October 2018

The coordinator led a field trip with a class from Arlington H.S. to the

Blanchard River to Water Quality Monitoring using macroinvertebrate

identification.

The coordinator delivered 16 rain barrels that have been entered in the

2019 contest.

Signage was placed on the fields enrolled in the Great Lakes Basin

grants.

Received full endorsement of the NPS-IS Plan for The Outlet-Blanchard River Watershed.

7

The BRWP has been very successful in obtain grants either directly or by doing work that has allowed other agencies to receive

grants. Previously, the work of the BRWP has led to over $14,000,000 being awarded to the BRWP and / or other agencies working

in the Blanchard River Watershed. The table below summarizes that grants that were active and / or awarded in 2018.

88

BRWP Grants update November 1, 2018

GRANTS AWARDED

AMOUNT

DESCRIPTION

GRANT WRITER AND ORGANIZA-

TION

IMPACT Acres, etc.

ENDING

DATE

Great Lakes Basin mini grant for the Middle Riley Creek watershed.

$29,930 -The grant contract has been signed and implementation has started. -There is money in the grant for the watershed coordinator

BRWP Coordinator BRWP

Cover Crops 488.11 ac., 109-419 tons of sediment saved. 1,484 lbs. P saved Conservation Tillage 949 ac., 83.6-816 tons sediment saved. 278 lbs. P saved

9/30/18

Great Lakes Basin full grant for Miller City Cut-off & Pike Run watershed

$247,763 -The grant will be used to install cover crops, conservation tillage, grassed waterway, blind inlet, water control structure. -There was $300 for the coordinator to write the grant

BRWP Coordinator PSWCD

No Data 9/30/18

Ohio EPA 319 grant for the Deer Creek-Blanchard River watershed.

$404,303 -The final total was $404,303 with a $226,343 match.

Written by BRWP Coordinator and PSWCD. Grant was submitted through the PSWCD.

No Data 9/30/18

Great Lakes Basin full grant for Bear Creek & Cranberry watersheds

$197,652 -The grant will be used to install water control structures, soil testing and retrofit equipment for cover crops -There was $300 for the coordinator to write the grant

Written by BRWP Coordinator and PSWCD. Grant was submitted through the PSWCD.

No Data 9/30/19

Great Lakes Basin full grant for Brights Ditch

$199,356 -The grant will be used to install water control structures and estab-lish precision nutrient management plan. - There was $300 for the coordina-tor to write the grant

Written by BRWP Coordinator and PSWCD. Grant was submitted through the HSWCD.

No data 9/30/19

Great Lakes Ba-sin mini grant for Upper and Lower Riley Creek

$14,678 -The grant was design to do research on improving the soil organic material (SOM) in the soil using a crop rotation of wheat, corn and beans.

BRWP Coordinator BRWP

No data yet. 9/30/19

NCWQR / NRCS

comparison grant with Heidelberg

University

$22,000

The work involves writing The Outlet-Blanchard River Watershed NPS-IS Plan (fully approved on October 10, 2018), transect studies and other work assigned by Dr. Johnson.

NCWQR None yet 2022

Great Lakes Basin full grant

for Tiderishi Creek watershed

$201,233

-The grant will be used to install water control structures, establish precision nutrient management plan, cover crops, conservation tillage, soil testing, phosphorus filter, riparian buffer/filter strip and in-stream sediment removal. -There is $15,300 for the project director

BRWP -In-stream sediment removal remove an estimated 6.5 cubic yards of sediment from the creek. -Sediment testing has not been returned yet.

9/30/2021

GRANTS

AWARDED

AMOUNT

DESCRIPTION

GRANT WRITER AND ORGANIZA-

TION

IMPACT Acres, etc.

ENDING

DATE

Hancock Wood Electric Cooperative

$2,500 -The grant is to help write the NPS-IS Plan for the City of Findlay Riverside Park-Blanchard River watershed

BRWP None yet 3/31/19

Findlay Hancock Community Foundation

$2,500 The grant is to help write the NPS-IS Plan for the City of Findlay Riverside Park-Blanchard River watershed

BRWP None yet 12/31/18

GRAND TOTAL

$1,471,915

2018 Projects2018 Projects

Continue implementation of all active grants.Continue implementation of all active grants.

Provide support for partners in seeking grants for projects such as: Provide support for partners in seeking grants for projects such as:

1. removal of debris behind Riverside Dam, 1. removal of debris behind Riverside Dam,

3. agriculture BMPs to reduce the phosphorus loadings,3. agriculture BMPs to reduce the phosphorus loadings,

3. restoration of brownfield and riparian areas, and 3. restoration of brownfield and riparian areas, and

4. other projects as identified by our stakeholders and / or partners.4. other projects as identified by our stakeholders and / or partners.

Continuation of existing BRWP projects: Continuation of existing BRWP projects:

1. water quality monitoring, and1. water quality monitoring, and

2. Rain Barrel Decorating Contest.2. Rain Barrel Decorating Contest.

Write at least two NPSWrite at least two NPS--IS Plans.IS Plans.

Seek funding for Coordinator’s position. The grant ran out on June 30, 2017.Seek funding for Coordinator’s position. The grant ran out on June 30, 2017.

Seek funding for the BRWP. Our main source of support is from our membership dues and sponsorships.Seek funding for the BRWP. Our main source of support is from our membership dues and sponsorships.

How can you help?How can you help?

Become a member and volunteer!Become a member and volunteer!

How Can You Stay in Touch?How Can You Stay in Touch?

Follow us on Facebook at:Follow us on Facebook at:

Blanchard River Watershed PartnershipBlanchard River Watershed Partnership

and on Our Web Page at:and on Our Web Page at:

www.blanchardriver.orgwww.blanchardriver.org

10