Soil and Water Conservation District

Duke Energy, Clermont SWCD Partner on a Beautiful Solution to Storm Water Pollution

Recently, Duke Energy and the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered with a homeowners’ association in a Union Township subdivision to combat runoff problems and beautify the neighborhood at the same time.

Under a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, Clermont SWCD worked with the Shayler Woods Homeowners Association (HOA) to install a 1000 square foot rain garden in a section of the subdivision where storm water did not receive any treatment before it reached a small creek. The garden will catch storm flows from two small drainage areas and allow it to soak into the ground over a day or two rather than running off into the creek. Along with reducing flow, the garden will help filter pollutants, including nutrients found in lawn fertilizers what can contribute to algae blooms.

Gene Benninger, the president of the Shayler Woods HOA, said “We are pleased that our community was chosen for this project. It has greatly enhanced the appearance of the landscape, and we look forward to Spring when everything will be blooming.”

Clermont SWCD offers guidance to any landowner in Clermont County, including homeowners associations, interested in creating their own rain garden. Requests for assistance can be made by calling (513) 732-7075. or sending an email to ssteffensen@clermontcountyohio.gov.

Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District Responds to Asian Longhorned Beetle Outbreak

By Jacob Simpson

The Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will continue to offer assistance to agencies, local governments and landowners with the ongoing efforts to eradicate the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) pest from Clermont County. It is a resource issue of utmost concern to the District.

While Clermont SWCD has no authority in the eradication effort and cannot dictate eradication strategies, it has the responsibility to assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), its contractors and landowners with all efforts relative to the conservation and wise use of local natural resources. The District has an obligation to look out for the interests of landowners and resources within the current ALB infestation zone, as well as those throughout Clermont County.

Clermont SWCD can not provide oversight of the management strategies or policies of USDA or its contractors; however, Clermont SWCD will provide guidance or assistance with soil and water-related issues associated with ALB eradication efforts at the request of USDA, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, project contractors, or landowners, including:

facilitating referrals and infestation reports to authorities,
reforestation strategies,
post-harvest resource issues (erosion, storm water runoff, stream bank stabilization, re-vegetation, invasive species control, etc.),
development of forest management plans,
identifying funding sources and providing access to cost share programs to assist with reforestation and other post-harvest issues,
community education/outreach, and
correspondence with public officials.

For additional information, contact John McManus, District Administrator, Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District at (513) 732-7075 ext. 3 or by e-mail at jmcmanus@clermontcountyohio.gov

Fight Aquatic Vegetation with Proper Pond Construction

By Jacob Simpson

PondLayout A successful pond is only as good as proper pond construction and proper construction begins with the knowledge of the builder. A pond should have 25% of its basin at a depth of eight feet or greater and side slopes at a 3:1 ratio (three feet out, one foot down). A minimal round pond size built to this spec. will be approx. 100 feet in diameter. This does three things, it gets you into deeper water quickest while maintaining a stable slope on your bank, creates “open water” on your pond and provides proper habitat for spawning.

Shallow water (usually three feet or less) is where a majority of your plant life establishes, especially algae, and minimizing these areas will decrease the occurrence of nuisance plant problems. Some plant life in your ponds is needed to add oxygen, uptake nutrients, and provide habitat for your fish and other beneficial organisms that make a pond function. Also, there will be enough shallow areas around your pond for spawning without the need to create additional shallow water habitat. Excessive weeds can make a pond less enjoyable and harmful to your fish.

Over time ponds will fill in with silt and organic material, making the ratio of shallow water to deep water less and will need to be cleaned out to function as designed. An older pond has a greater chance of having vegetation problems because of this accumulation of material. Ponds act as a sink to store organics, nutrients, and sometimes pollutants that find their way in. The dynamics of a pond also slow because of this excess material, making it easier for vegetation to establish and quickly spread.

If you are having trouble with vegetation in your pond, it is likely the pond was not constructed with enough open water or your pond is aging and becoming less efficient at nutrient cycling. If you want a smaller pond, take into consideration vegetation management during planning. If you would like an assessment of your pond, please call our office to set an appointment with Jake Hahn at 513-732-7075 x-4.

Could Your Farm Benefit From a Watering System?

By Jacob Simpson

Do you currently have livestock on your property? Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, alpacas…? Do you also have a stream running through your property that your animals have access to? If so, then there’s a cost share program that you may greatly benefit from called the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). If you or someone you know is looking for a clean source of water to capture for your livestock to drink then read on…

The Conservation Reserve Program offers about 90% cost share on watering system practices. Yes that’s right, 90%! These practices include spring developments, pumps to distribute water from a pond or from county water hookups, pipelines, and different types of watering troughs (frost-free waterers, concrete tanks, portable plastic tanks, etc). This program, unlike others that are offered through the United States Department of Agriculture, is non-competitive. This means that if you qualify for eligibility, then offers are automatically accepted.

All you need to do is be willing to fence out your stream from livestock. The minimum buffer width is 20 feet and can go up to 120 feet. By restricting access to surface water on your property and giving your livestock a clean source of water to drink from, chances of sickness from pathogens are greatly reduced. Livestock illnesses associated with polluted water include: mastitis, scours, lepto, cryptosporidiosis, and foot rot. Nitrates in water can also reduce lactation, lower blood pressure and cause anorexia. The danger of injury or death from falling on streambanks or even drowning will be nonexistent when your livestock are excluded from these areas. CRP will also cost share 90% on fencing for livestock exclusion. Other practices CRP reimburses 90% include stream crossings for stable access to pasture fields, gravel heavy use pads around watering troughs, and trees, shrubs, or native grasses that you choose to plant inside the buffer area.

Besides the cost share that is reimbursed, there is also a one time incentive payment when you sign your contract, and an annual rental payment on the buffer area for 10 or 15 years, depending on the length of your contract. Maintenance payments will also be made to help with upkeep of certain practices.

If you would like to learn more about this exciting opportunity please call Steve Anderson with Farm Service Agency at 513-732-2181 ext. 2 or Lori Hillman with Natural Resources Conservation Service 513-732-2181 ext. 3. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Clermont SWCD 2022 Annual Report

Duke Energy, Clermont SWCD Partner on a Beautiful Solution to Storm Water Pollution

Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District Responds to Asian Longhorned Beetle Outbreak

Fight Aquatic Vegetation with Proper Pond Construction

Could Your Farm Benefit From a Watering System?