The East Fork Watershed Collaborative recently received State of Ohio endorsement of the Lower East Fork Watershed Management Plan.  The Lower East Fork Watershed includes those parts of Milford, and Miami and Union Townships that drain to the East Fork Little Miami River.  The westernmost part of Batavia Township also falls within the Lower East Fork Watershed. 

Endorsement by the State means the Collaborative addressed all the State’s concerns with the plan.  The Collaborative, or other community groups interested in forwarding the goals of the plan, are now eligible for funding from several grant programs (for example, the Section 319 Non-point Source Water Quality Program) that require a completed TMDL or Watershed Plan.  The endorsed plan can be downloaded from the Clermont County Office of Environmental Quality website (www.oeq.net), or a copy can be requested from Clermont SWCD (732-7075). 

The East Fork Collaborative was recently informed we received preliminary approval for a 2004 Section 319 Non-point Source grant to address water quality concerns in the Lower East Fork Watershed.  The grant money will be used to assess stream conditions in Hall Run and Shayler Run, to demonstrate stream restoration on a section of Hall Run, and to cost-share repairs or replacement of septic systems in the Hall Run and Wolfpen Run watersheds. 

Planning meetings are continuing for the East Fork Headwaters area and the East Fork Lake Tributaries area (see map).  We are working to develop watershed management plans for each of these areas.  Groups of interested citizens and community leaders have been developing goals and strategies in the areas of Wastewater Management, Stormwater Management, Land Use, Agriculture and Monitoring/Assessment.  Everyone is welcome to participate. 

For more information on the East Fork Watershed or the watershed planning process please contact Jay Dorsey, watershed coordinator, at (513) 732-7075 or jay-dorsey@oh.nacdnet.org.

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