11-17-2009, 12:10 PM
ST. MARYS, OH - Three state agency directors today traveled to Celina to announce a series of collaborative initiatives to improve water quality at a popular recreational lake that also serves as a community drinking water resource.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) announced a cooperative plan to help curb the excessive nutrient load that has contributed to declining water quality at Grand Lake St. Marys. The plan encourages partnerships between the area residents and other private and public entities, including Mercer and Auglaize Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to minimize pollution sources within the watershed.
"The challenges here are representative of what we face everywhere in Ohio as we seek to balance wise use with conservation," said ODNR Director Sean Logan. "Our economic health cannot be long separated from the health of our air, water and soil. For all the right reasons, we need to implement the conservation practices outlined in this plan, and restore the health of this great resource."
"Ohio EPA is pleased to support and join in this local, state and federal partnership to improve water quality within Grand Lake St. Marys," said OEPA Director Chris Korleski. "While the goals are simple - to restore the water of Grand Lake so that people can once again fish, swim and boat without concern - the challenges are substantial. Ohio EPA will continue to ensure that technical resources are available to help identify and implement actions to support the objectives of this partnership."
Plan development has brought together agricultural businesses and organizations as well as local, state and federal conservation agencies. All are committed to helping agricultural producers and landowners in the watershed adopt conservation measures that will help improve water quality.
"A vast majority in the agricultural community understand that the only way to sustain our natural resources is to protect our land and water supply," said ODA Director Robert Boggs. "Today's $98 billion food and agriculture industry could not survive without the most basic ingredients - land, water, rich soils and other valuable resources."
"I appreciate the willingness by all of the state and federal agencies involved to provide our local farmers with not only a solution, but the manpower to implement the solution here in Mercer County" said Rep. Jim Zehringer, R-Fort Recovery. "I know area farmers, community leaders and members of agribusiness stand ready to make a positive impact in the watershed, and the initiative outlined today will help unite our efforts for the benefit of Grand Lake St. Marys."
Some of the recommended initiatives are already being implemented within the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed. Brothers Lou and Alan Brown who operate Brownhaven Dairy Farm near New Bremen have implemented nutrient management practices to address concerns regarding agricultural pollution. The Browns milk 165 cows and raise 180 replacement heifers. Their 250-acre farm produces hay, corn silage and wheat. They utilize a variety of agricultural best management practices on their farm including filter strips, no-till, manure storage facilities and cover crops. The Browns have also developed a comprehensive nutrient management plan to enhance soil and water conservation efforts on their farm.
"It is important for all stakeholders to work together toward positive solutions to help improve Grand Lake," said Sen. Keith Faber, R-Celina.
Efforts such as this within the agriculture community, in addition to the upgrade of domestic sewage treatment and control, improved sediment and erosion control plans on development sites, wetland restoration projects and a reduction in non-agricultural nutrient applications can help jumpstart recovery for Grand Lake St Marys. When properly implemented, these conservation practices can help restore the lake, which draws thousands of visitors to the area each year and supplies Celina with its drinking water.
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 www.ohiodnr.com.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) announced a cooperative plan to help curb the excessive nutrient load that has contributed to declining water quality at Grand Lake St. Marys. The plan encourages partnerships between the area residents and other private and public entities, including Mercer and Auglaize Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to minimize pollution sources within the watershed.
"The challenges here are representative of what we face everywhere in Ohio as we seek to balance wise use with conservation," said ODNR Director Sean Logan. "Our economic health cannot be long separated from the health of our air, water and soil. For all the right reasons, we need to implement the conservation practices outlined in this plan, and restore the health of this great resource."
"Ohio EPA is pleased to support and join in this local, state and federal partnership to improve water quality within Grand Lake St. Marys," said OEPA Director Chris Korleski. "While the goals are simple - to restore the water of Grand Lake so that people can once again fish, swim and boat without concern - the challenges are substantial. Ohio EPA will continue to ensure that technical resources are available to help identify and implement actions to support the objectives of this partnership."
Plan development has brought together agricultural businesses and organizations as well as local, state and federal conservation agencies. All are committed to helping agricultural producers and landowners in the watershed adopt conservation measures that will help improve water quality.
"A vast majority in the agricultural community understand that the only way to sustain our natural resources is to protect our land and water supply," said ODA Director Robert Boggs. "Today's $98 billion food and agriculture industry could not survive without the most basic ingredients - land, water, rich soils and other valuable resources."
"I appreciate the willingness by all of the state and federal agencies involved to provide our local farmers with not only a solution, but the manpower to implement the solution here in Mercer County" said Rep. Jim Zehringer, R-Fort Recovery. "I know area farmers, community leaders and members of agribusiness stand ready to make a positive impact in the watershed, and the initiative outlined today will help unite our efforts for the benefit of Grand Lake St. Marys."
Some of the recommended initiatives are already being implemented within the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed. Brothers Lou and Alan Brown who operate Brownhaven Dairy Farm near New Bremen have implemented nutrient management practices to address concerns regarding agricultural pollution. The Browns milk 165 cows and raise 180 replacement heifers. Their 250-acre farm produces hay, corn silage and wheat. They utilize a variety of agricultural best management practices on their farm including filter strips, no-till, manure storage facilities and cover crops. The Browns have also developed a comprehensive nutrient management plan to enhance soil and water conservation efforts on their farm.
"It is important for all stakeholders to work together toward positive solutions to help improve Grand Lake," said Sen. Keith Faber, R-Celina.
Efforts such as this within the agriculture community, in addition to the upgrade of domestic sewage treatment and control, improved sediment and erosion control plans on development sites, wetland restoration projects and a reduction in non-agricultural nutrient applications can help jumpstart recovery for Grand Lake St Marys. When properly implemented, these conservation practices can help restore the lake, which draws thousands of visitors to the area each year and supplies Celina with its drinking water.
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 www.ohiodnr.com.