Owner:
Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District
In the early 1990s, local stakeholders first spoke aloud about the need for
long term solutions for livestock operators in the East Branch Sugar Creek
Watershed. In 1994 the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District applied
for and received Ohio EPA "319" funding for the East Branch Sugar
Creek Dairy Waste Separation and Treatment Demonstration Project, which ran
from 1995-98.
In summer 1998, Ohio EPA began a water quality study of the Sugar Creek
Watershed, including the East Branch. At the same time, with a grant from ODNR
Division of Soil and Water, a summer intern completed a livestock inventory of
the East Branch Watershed. At the end of the summer, a group of East Branch
Watershed landowners were invited to an initial "watershed meeting".
There we shared the results of the livestock inventory, the purpose of Ohio
EPA's study, and proposed the preparation of a watershed action plan. The group
has been meeting quarterly since then, with 10 to 20 stakeholders attending
each meeting. Smaller work groups meet more often.
The Tuscarawas SWCD Board of Supervisors has been supportive of the watershed
planning efforts, providing financial support, office space and other in-kind
contributions. Ohio EPA awarded the District a "319" Watershed
Planning Grant, which has enabled a full time staff person to continue working
with landowners/users in the East Branch Watershed.
The majority of the land in our watershed is in family farms, which have been
in the same families for three or four generations. They are concerned about
communicating a better understanding of the economics of agriculture,
especially the dairy business, to the public and to regulatory agencies. They
are concerned about their ability to meet water quality goals and potential
permitting requirements, and maintain the family farm as a financially viable
way of life.
Both agency staff members and local stakeholders have extensive background and
training in manure management, including manure collection, storage, treatment
(including separation), and agronomic use. They are also knowledgeable about
soil capabilities and drainage systems. We have Certified Crop Advisors in our
group, and people highly experienced in dairy management. Staff members have
lab and research experience with collection and processing of manure, soil and
water samples.
The majority of the land in our watershed is in family farms, which have been
in the same families for three or four generations. They are concerned about
communicating a better understanding of the economics of agriculture,
especially the dairy business, to the public and to regulatory agencies. They
are concerned about their ability to meet water quality goals and potential
permitting requirements, and maintain the family farm as a financially viable
way of life.
HUC8:
05040001
HUC11:
05040001110
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