GLWWA Watershed Action Plan (WAP)*
*To view entire WAP, click on the following link: GLWWA WAP. While there, click on State Endorsed WAPs. Click on Endorsed Plans. Locate Grand Lake-Wabash and choose which section you would like to read.
Summary of Objectives
The Grand Lake/Wabash River Watershed Action Plan outlines the following best management practices (BMPs), both agricultural and non-agricultural, that have the potential to improve water quality in our watershed. These practices have been prioritized within the two categories to allow us to focus our efforts and available funding to those BMPs which will have the most impact.
AGRICULTURAL BMPs
1. 5,000 acres of conservation tillage within 5 years
▪ BMP Challenge
▪ Water Pollution Control Loan Fund for equipment (in review)
2. 2,000 acres of winter cover crops within 3 years
▪ US EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant (denied)
▪ Agriculture Incentive Program 2007 for Grand Lake Watershed
3. Establish 500 acres of filter recharge areas within 5 years
▪ Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)/Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) with payments that reflect the price of land in this watershed
4. Establish 300 acres of filter strips within 5 years
▪ CRP/CREP with payments that reflect the price of land in this watershed
▪ Agriculture Incentive Program 2007 for Grand Lake Watershed
5. Identify all dairies currently discharging milkhouse wastewater and correct the discharge within 5 years
▪ EQIP available for structures or treatment devices
▪ Discharges are illegal under the Clean Water Act
6. Construct or restore 60 acres of wetland throughout the watershed within 5 years
▪ CRP
7. Create CNMPs for 75% of livestock producers in the watershed within 5 years
▪ Incentives available through EQIP
▪ Completed by SWCD at no cost to the producer
8. Install 100 tile control structures within 5 years
▪ Agriculture Incentive Program 2007 for Grand Lake Watershed
9. Incorporate manure management technologies such as the geotextile tube or mechanical separator on at least one livestock facility within 5 years
▪ NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant (project in progress)
10. Promote the installation of grassed waterways in areas of evident gully erosion
▪ CRP with payments that reflect the price of land in this watershed
11. Conduct surveys of local farmers regarding their use of starter fertilizer to determine and educate on the need of starter fertilizer based on soil nutrient levels.
▪ Ohio State University Extension, local SWCDs
12. Investigate the use of phosphorus supplements in feed rations to determine if adjustments are needed and work with local integrators and farmers to save money on unnecessary amounts of supplement.
▪ Local integrators, feed mills, local SWCDs
13. Stabilize 2,000 feet of streambank using natural channel designs within 5 years
▪ Ohio EPA Grants
14. Encourage the continued enrollment in federal programs such as CRP, CREP, EQIP and WHIP
▪ Local SWCDs
NON-AGRICULTURAL BMPs
1. Replace 50 failed or compromised septic systems within 5 years
▪ US EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant (currently pending)
▪ Local Health Departments
2. Ensure that proper sediment and erosion controls are being utilized on construction sites
▪ Ohio EPA to assess stiffer penalties
3. Encourage the use of retention or detention basins in developing areas. Research the watershed’s potential for installing rain gardens in housing developments
▪ Regional Planning Commision
4. Reduce over application of lawn fertilizer on 300 lawns by assisting with soil sampling
▪ ODNR Watershed Education Mini-Grant (in progress)
5. Continue to work with other local interest groups to secure land through direct land purchase or purchase of conservation easements with deed restrictions for development rights to protect or restore natural areas and greenspace in the watershed
6. Continued educational programs, such as workshops, field days, tours, etc. on a variety of topics
▪ Local SWCDs
GLSM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
1. Stabilize 6,000 feet of Grand Lake St. Marys shoreline (directly adjacent to naturally occurring wetlands) within 5 years
2. Although dredging is a maintenance activity, it is encouraged that dredging be completed on a much larger scale once the watershed action plan is fully implemented
3. Replacement of septic systems in concentrated residential areas with centralized sewer systems
4. Continue the operation and maintenance on the five sediment traps located on tributaries of Grand Lake St. Marys
5. Encourage the development of a comprehensive lake level management plan for Grand Lake St. Marys
