Hello, my name is Jacob Lynch and I am the new Urban Technician for Clermont SWCD. I grew up in Hilliard, Ohio and have been living in the Loveland area for almost 3 years. I have an associate’s degree in Natural Resources Law Enforcement from Hocking College and a B.S. in Wildlife Management as well as a minor in Conservation Ecology from West Virginia University. I previously worked for The Ohio Department of Agriculture and before that I worked in construction up in Columbus as well several parks in the Central Ohio area (State and County level). In my free time you can find me camping, hiking or planning for the years hunting seasons. I look forward to working with the communities of Clermont County and being a part of Clermont SWCD.

Throughout the year, Clermont SWCD receives numerous calls from residents with concerns about water issues, some of which we can help out with, such as drainage or erosion issues on private property, and some are the responsibility of other organizations, such as cleaning up a roadside ditch. For people who are experiencing problems with erosion, drainage, sewers or other water-related issues, Clermont SWCD has created a guide to help identify the best organization to contact, which can be downloaded here. If after consulting with the guide you are still unsure about who to contact, please give us a call at 513-732-7075 ext. 2

This summer, Clermont SWCD has partnered with the University of Cincinnati in the first ever Braun Environmental Science Fellowship. This fellowship helps connect UC’s students with organizations and project managers like the Cincinnati Nature Center, UC Clermont’s Sustainability Committee, and us (Clermont SWCD). We are happy to introduce our summer intern Abigail Frazer who will be working alongside our direct staff in various projects. Abigail graduated this past spring from UC Clermont with an Associates in Environmental Studies and plans to continue her education in the future by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies in the upcoming years. In the meantime she wishes to focus her time getting acquainted with different career opportunities in the field she obtained her degree in. Abigail has always been fond of the outdoors, which inspired her to pursue her Environmental Studies degree. When she isn’t out hiking and enjoying the great outdoors, she enjoys painting at home and spending time with family, friends, and their pets.

Is your house located along a stream? Streams are dynamic systems, meaning they are constantly changing. Your stream may be a babbling brook most days but after a heavy rain, it can become a roiling river. The best way to get along with your stream is to protect the edge with a buffer strip of native grass, forbs, trees, and/or shrubs. Streamside buffers are beneficial for many reasons:

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  A buffer of vegetation helps stabilize the bank and protect homes along O’Bannon Creek

  Plant roots help stabilize the stream bank. Native plants have deep root systems which hold the soil in place.

• Buffers filter out sediment and other pollutants that may wash into a stream. Sediment can smother aquatic organisms that live on the stream bottom and make it difficult for fish to find food.
• Within the water, small fish and other aquatic organisms will find vital cover under plants that hang over the edge. The shade provided by the plants in the buffer helps to moderate the temperature of the stream. Cooler water holds more oxygen and reduces stress on fish and other aquatic creatures.
• Flourishing vegetation on the bank attracts desirable wildlife such as mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Buffers entice insects like dragonflies, and various birds, which feed on mosquitoes and ticks. Buffers provide an excellent food source for our valuable pollinators. Buffers provide connecting corridors that enable wildlife to move safely from one habitat area to another.
• Buffers help filter trash as well as leaves, grass clippings, fertilizers, and other debris that can cause excessive nutrient spikes. If the stream receives runoff laden with nitrogen and phosphorus, nuisance vegetation and algae can grow. Excessive growth may lead to water quality problems such as foul odors, low dissolved oxygen levels potentially leading to fish kills, and harmful algal blooms which are unsafe for people, pets, and wildlife.
• Buffers absorb rainwater, which recharges groundwater supplies and allows storm runoff to be released more slowly. This can reduce the intensity and frequency of flooding.

Clermont SWCD staff can provide guidance on how to establish an effective and attractive stream buffer. If you would like our assistance, please give our office a call at 513-732-7075.

For a list of stream buffer friendly plants available through our Annual Plant Sale, see page 2.

(Adapted from an article published by Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District)

This winter, Clermont SWCD plans to host multiple public meetings to gather input from residents and landowners on the our programs and services. Information gathered from these meetings will be used to update the District’s five-year strategic plan. Please watch www.clermontswcd.org or our Facebook page for updates and information on how you can participate. If you have questions, please email jmcmanus@clermontcountyohio.gov or call (513) 732-5075 ext. 3

This October, Clermont SWCD hired Amanda Best as our new Urban Technician. This is a new position which will be responsible for inspecting erosion and sediment control practices at active construction sites. Prior to starting with Clermont County, Amanda worked as a survey aid for Woodford County SWCD in Illinois where she helped to get farm conservation on the ground. She graduated with a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University in spring of 2020 where she also played collegiate lacrosse. In her free time she enjoys trying new food and restaurants, crafting, and taking a good walk.

We will be holding a pond clinic at Pattison Park just outside Owensville on September 20th at 5:30 pm.

This is the first event in a few years. We will be returning to our normal April event in 2023.

This years’ event will meet at the shelter house and you will be rotating to speakers in small groups around the pond. Please bring your own chairs if you like. Topics to include: Ponds 101, Aeration, Pond weed control, and a naturalist talk. Discussions will be based on questions you bring. If inclement weather is predicted, we will be indoors at lodge across from shelter house. Parking will be on both sides of US 50. Jones Fish Hatchery and Clermont County Parks will also be presenting. Clermont Co. Park District- Pattison Park 2228 US Highway 50, Batavia OH

There is no cost, but registration is recommended for event setup. To register or additional information contact Connie Miller at (513) 732-7075 ext 2 or cmiller@clermontcountyohio.gov

In Ohio there is not a specific agency that oversees and manages all of the water resources in Ohio. Water is typically abundant and often times taken for granted. The laws and managing agencies can be very confusing and oftentimes non-existent because drainage laws are often left as civil issues to be decided by the courts.

Here are some of the most common calls we handle in our office. Drainage Our staff assists landowners with advice on their water issues. This includes excess standing water, stream bank erosion, and improving water flow through the property. Any building permits, questions or complaints should be directed first to our county building department. Our office can help with solutions to
problems that landowners are willing to fix on their own or with their neighbors. Our office is not regulatory.

Agriculture
Our office works closely with federal and state programs to help agriculture operations address environmental concerns including cropland drainage, farm lot water management, stream protection, among other projects and programs.

Ponds
We provide educational services to help maintain existing ponds and storm water basins, as well as guidance in placement of new ponds.

Storm Water
Storm structures throughout the county are maintained by many different agencies and private landowners. Typically the municipality who owns the road, maintains the right-of way
(ROW) structures (not including driveway culverts). Those structures outside the ROW and on private property are mostly the responsibility of individual landowners or home
owner associations. If you have a problem on your street, call your township or municipality for service. Our office maintains the GIS maps for the public storm water structures.

Our office does not address the following water issues you may have.
– Public water pipes and leaks- call your local provider on water bill.
– Landowner dispute resolutions, however, we can provide guidance and recommendations.
– Water testing for cisterns and ponds. If for home drinking water contact the General Health District

Join the Clermont SWCD along with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, Ohio Division of Watercraft, Ohio Division of Parks, National Wild Turkey Federation, Clermont County Park District, The NWTF River Valley Longbeards and others during the Natural Resources Day which will be held Tuesday, July 26 at the Clermont County Fair in the Lykins Pavilion from Noon – 6:00 p.m.

Archery, BB-guns, reptiles, and other hands on exhibits will be on display.  Meet with representatives from local conservation clubs, Ohio Trappers Association, local sportsmen clubs and SWCD.  Representatives will be available to discuss natural resource related issues and how you can improve habitat on your land.

If you’re not able to visit during Natural Resources Day, please visit the Clermont SWCD booth in the Commercial Building or give us a call at (513) 732-7075.