There is an innovative water quality effort launched in 2019 in NW Ohio targeting the Maumee River watershed that drains to Lake Erie. This watershed has 60,000 miles of streams and encompasses 5024 square miles in 18 counties and is the largest watershed of any of the rivers draining to the Great Lakes, providing 5% of Lake Erie’s water. The H2Ohio Water Quality Plan is a data-driven plan to reduce algal blooms, improve wastewater infrastructure and prevent lead contamination. It is a collaborative effort by ODNR, ODOA, OEPA, and multiple agricultural businesses, municipalities and environmental organizations. It is truly an ‘All-Hands-on-Deck’ program with a $172-million funding level from the state of Ohio dedicated to address critical water quality issues. Funding is dedicated primarily for prevention programs, farmland practices, septic systems, wetland restoration projects and research and education components.
One of the main focuses of the program is phosphorus reduction from farmland that is a major contributor to algae blooms that have occurred regularly with severity since 2011. Efforts to date have not met the goals of 40% reduction of phosphorus loading in the river and its tributaries.
The program was launched with four farmer meetings in the fall of 2019 and it is reported the meetings had a combined attendance of over 1000 farmers, landowners and agribusiness people. Interest and support for this water quality program has been very high to say the least.
Prior to farmers or landowners signing up for incentives to implement practices, a Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan is developed for participants. The Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan Development Program is a partnership with the Ohio Agribusiness Association, in which producers are reimbursed for nutrient management plans. Voluntary Nutrient Management Plans helps ensure that 4R principles are implemented on a field-specific level. The V-NMP is also a planning tool to help determine which of the practices will be most effective. The graphic included at end of this article lists agricultural practices that have been identified to be most effective to reduce phosphorus loading in the watershed.
The voluntary nature of this program, I believe, is key to its success. Funding is important too, but without buy-in by the stakeholders, it is difficult to get practices on the ground. Voluntary programs are likely to be more successful than mandated programs with necessary regulations, enforcement and penalties. The regulatory approach is less likely to have buy-in from all stakeholders. For the Ohio Maumee River watershed project, stakeholder participation and signup levels have been overwhelming for the ‘Voluntary’ Nutrient Management program and expectations are high for meeting water quality goals.
As I write this little article, I am traveling in the ‘Volunteer’ state of Tennessee, given its nickname during the War of 1812 and battle of New Orleans due to exceedingly high numbers of volunteers, a history to be proud of for sure. Volunteerism to help those in need and solve community problems runs deep in rural communities. Consider an old-fashioned barn-raising as an example, neighbors coming together to help neighbors. In modern times we have many examples of volunteers pitching in during and after floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters and in calmer times, community projects of all kinds to help those in need.
In closing, ‘Hats Off’ to the great state of Ohio and the many partners, participants and ‘Volunteers’ of the H2Ohio program in the Maumee River watershed. For more information, visit h2.ohio.gov. Happy Volunteering!
One of the main focuses of the program is phosphorus reduction from farmland that is a major contributor to algae blooms that have occurred regularly with severity since 2011. Efforts to date have not met the goals of 40% reduction of phosphorus loading in the river and its tributaries.
The program was launched with four farmer meetings in the fall of 2019 and it is reported the meetings had a combined attendance of over 1000 farmers, landowners and agribusiness people. Interest and support for this water quality program has been very high to say the least.
Prior to farmers or landowners signing up for incentives to implement practices, a Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan is developed for participants. The Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan Development Program is a partnership with the Ohio Agribusiness Association, in which producers are reimbursed for nutrient management plans. Voluntary Nutrient Management Plans helps ensure that 4R principles are implemented on a field-specific level. The V-NMP is also a planning tool to help determine which of the practices will be most effective. The graphic included at end of this article lists agricultural practices that have been identified to be most effective to reduce phosphorus loading in the watershed.
The voluntary nature of this program, I believe, is key to its success. Funding is important too, but without buy-in by the stakeholders, it is difficult to get practices on the ground. Voluntary programs are likely to be more successful than mandated programs with necessary regulations, enforcement and penalties. The regulatory approach is less likely to have buy-in from all stakeholders. For the Ohio Maumee River watershed project, stakeholder participation and signup levels have been overwhelming for the ‘Voluntary’ Nutrient Management program and expectations are high for meeting water quality goals.
As I write this little article, I am traveling in the ‘Volunteer’ state of Tennessee, given its nickname during the War of 1812 and battle of New Orleans due to exceedingly high numbers of volunteers, a history to be proud of for sure. Volunteerism to help those in need and solve community problems runs deep in rural communities. Consider an old-fashioned barn-raising as an example, neighbors coming together to help neighbors. In modern times we have many examples of volunteers pitching in during and after floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters and in calmer times, community projects of all kinds to help those in need.
In closing, ‘Hats Off’ to the great state of Ohio and the many partners, participants and ‘Volunteers’ of the H2Ohio program in the Maumee River watershed. For more information, visit h2.ohio.gov. Happy Volunteering!