BRWP. Times. Spring 2014 Volume 7 >>>

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1 Times BRWP Spring 2014 Volume 7 Blanchard River Watershed Partnership P.O. BOX 1237 Findlay, OH blanchardriver.org brwp1237@gmail.com /BlanchardRiver PRESIDENT: Tim Brugeman COORDINATOR: Phil Martin IN THIS ISSUE: PAGE 1 There is Plenty to do this Spring PAGE 2 Spring River Clean-up Golf Scramble Contest PAGE 3 Hancock Park District Photo Contest Active Grants in 2014 PAGE 4 Board of Directors Rain Barrel Decorating Contest PAGE 5 Sponsors and Members Board Meetings Planning Meeting Your help is needed in 2014 Spring / Summer Activities PAGE 5 Bob Evans Coupon >>> THERE IS PLENTY TO DO THIS SPRING. The start of 2014 has presented the BRWP with many projects and problems that need addressed. The goals for 2014 approved at the January planning meeting are: 1. Increase Fundraising - need to raise $75,000 per year through memberships, support, grants, and fundraising events. 2. Continue our Marketing Program using AR Marketing. 3. Continue to implement the grants received. 4. Continue to implement The Outlet/Lye Creek and the Riley Creek Watershed Action Plans. 5. Continue our Outreach and Education to the stakeholders and schools. 6. Continue and expand our water quality monitoring program. 7. Form a group of volunteers to help gather data and information to write the Cranberry Creek Watershed Action Plan. 8. Sponsor river clean-ups in Ottawa and Findlay. Goal 1 is to raise $75,000 per year, is the direct result of the Ohio EPA dropping any funding for watershed coordinators in Ohio. Our watershed coordinator is our only employee. He is in charge of the daily operations and implementation of grants and other activities. The coordinator receives a salary package that cost around $50,000 per year. The other $25,000 is needed to cover operations. Goals 2, 3 & 4 include projects that will be done by related agencies, such as Soil Water Conservation Districts, NRCS, Health Departments, City of Findlay and others. Goals 5 though 8 will be sponsored by the BRWP, with the assistance of many volunteers. The BRWP enthusiastically welcomes volunteers. For more information, call Phil Martin at or check our website at 1

2 >>> THERE IS PLENTY TO DO THIS SPRING cont. Spring River Clean-up in Findlay to be held on April 26th from 9:00 till noon. The Blanchard River Watershed Partnership is sponsoring a river and surrounding area clean-up on Saturday, April 26, Please call or brwp1237@gmail.com to pre-register to volunteer. Crossing the Little Riley Creek Golf Scramble The BRWP is sponsoring the first annual Crossing the Little Riley Creek Golf Scramble on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the Bluffton Golf Club. This fundraising event is using the four person team format. There will also be a many other prizes and contest at the event. Some of these prizes are: Special prize for the first three teams with the lowest score. Closest to the pin on two of the par 3 holes. A one-year lease on a Ford car for a hole-in-one on one specific par 3. Lease donated by Reineke Ford of Findlay. Longest drive on two of the par 5 holes. Prize for most balls in Little Riley Creek Prize for highest score. There will also be several items that you can bid on to buy. Some of these are: Complete inside /outside detailing of a car. The detailing is donated by LaRiche Chevrolet of Findlay. A pair of Cleveland Indians tickets for the July 4, 2014 game with Kansas City. (WKXA) John Deere Basket American Heritage Limited Edition ($ value) donated by Findlay Implement Fricker s Gift Basket Whirlpool Kitchen Aid Blender 2-OSU hooded sweatshirts There will also be many door prizes and each player will receive a gift bag at registration. More prize are being donated every day. Check our web site for any updates, Click on the Golf Scramble tab. Key Facts about the Golf Scramble Cost per player is $ Cost includes green fees, cart, lunch, and a continental breakfast. Individual players and twosome will be assigned to a team at random. Registration will be from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. Shotgun start begins at 9:00 a.m. There will be a 20 team limit. Please check our web site at for further information and forms to register for the golf scramble. For further information contact Phil Martin at

3 >>> Hancock Park District Photo Contest: THERE IS PLENTY TO DO THIS SPRING cont. The BRWP, once again, in 2014, sponsored the Watershed Category in the Hancock Park District s Photo Contest. Congratulations to Theresa Maag for her winning photograph shown below. Visit our web site at and click on the gallery tab to view all the Photos from the 2014 Hancock Park District s Photo Contest Active Grants in $284,750 Great Lakes Basin grant for Sediment and Phosphorus Reduction in the Upper Riley Creek watershed (Hancock County) and the Putnam County portion of the Lower Riley Creek watershed. 1,465 acres of cover crops and 1,590 acres of Conservation Tillage have been enrolled. Also, a 0.5 grass buffer was completed. The grant is being administered by the BRWP. $397,574 Hancock Soil & Water Conservation District (HSWCD) - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) - This grant is for Sediment & Phosphorus Reduction in the Lye Creek watershed using various agricultural BMPs. Contact the Hancock SWCD at for more information. A $56,000 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund grant from the Ohio EPA to help repair/ replace low income families failing Home Septic Treatment Systems in Hancock County. The BRWP wrote the grant with help from the Hancock County Board of Health. The grant was submitted through the Hancock County Commissioners. The BRWP and the Hancock County Board of Health are administering the grant. About $37,000 is left in the grant to be used in Click on the grant tab on our web site for additional information. $29,890 Great Lakes Basin grant for Sediment and Phosphorus Reduction in the Allen County portion of the Lower Riley Creek watershed. 210 acres have been enrolled in Cover Crops and Conservation Tillage each year for three years. Active Grants in 2014 cont. Photo by Theresa Magg $37,000 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant through the Ohio EPA for restoring the Riparian Buffer along Lye Creek. The City of Findlay received the grant that was written by the BRWP to restore the Riparian Buffer along the Lye Creek in Findlay. The area is located near the mouth of Lye Creek along E. Main Cross St. See page 6 for a printable coupon!! 3

4 >>> Winter Activities Review Board of Directors: The BRWP is fortunate to have a talented elected Board of Directors composed of volunteer individuals representing all six subwatersheds and 3 At-Large members. Below is a short synopsis of each Board member. Board of Directors for Tim Brugeman (President) - Tim was director of the Hancock Park District for 38 years. He was the guiding hand in developing the wonderful Park System that Hancock County enjoys today. Tim presently works for Feasel Landscaping in Findlay. Tim is the At-Large #1 representative to the Board. 2. Theresa Allen (Vice President) - Theresa is the Headwaters watershed representative to the Board. Theresa has been involved with the BRWP since its founding. Theresa grew up on a family farm in Seneca County, was a two term township trustee in Hardin County, and is very active with local, state, and national environmental groups. 3. Richard Kozlowski (Treasurer) - Dick is The Outlet/Lye Creek watershed representative to the Board. Dick is a retired engineer for Sunoco. He is the past president of the BRWP and has been involved with the BRWP since its founding. 4. Bob Connour (Secretary) - Bob is a Biology professor at Owens Community College in Findlay. He is the Eagle Creek representative to the Board. Bob has been involved with the BRWP since its founding. 5. Robert Antibus - Robert is a Biology professor at Bluffton University. Robert represents the Riley Creek watershed to the Board. 6. Jane McCleary - Jane retired after 15 years as Director of Curriculum for Hancock County Schools in Prior to that, she was a Cory Rawson Middle School English and Life and Earth science teacher. In 1995, Jane was named Soil and Water Conservation Teacher of the Year for the State of Ohio. In addition, she is very active in several nonprofit agencies. Jane is the At- Large #3 to the Board. 7. Ted Elliott - Ted is a junior high science teacher and track coach in the Ottawa-Glandorf school system. Ted is the Cranberry Creek representative to the Board. Ted is dedicated to promoting appreciation and respect for our planet. Board of Directors cont.: 8. Don Croy - Don is the Ottawa Creek watershed representative to the Board. Don enjoys the Blanchard River with his many Kayak trips during the year. Don is a Ottawa township trustee in Putnam County. 9. Tim Macke - Tim is the At-Large #2 representa tive to the Board. Tim is the Village of Ottawa s Council president. Tim is very active in volunteer organizations. Education - Rain Barrel Decorating Contest: The Second Annual Rain Barrel Decorating Contest was held on March 1st. and 2nd. Thirteen barrels from five high schools were on display at the Findlay Mall during the Greater Findlay Home Show. Nearly 300 visitors to the Home Show voted for the People s Choice Award. Riverdale High School was the over-all winner. Second place went to Arlington High School, while Pandora Gilboa High School was third. The BRWP received many positive comments on the barrels. Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: AE Curbside - Findlay, Ohio Hancock Park District Hancock SWCD Legacy Farmers Cooperative Second Place Arlington H. S. Riverdale H. S. Winning Barrel Third Place Pandora Gilboa H. S. Hempy Water Conditioning - Forest, Ohio Ted s Market - Pandora, Ohio Whirlpool Corporation Great Job to all the schools and students!!! 4

5 2014 SPONSORS AND MEMBERS: The success of the BRWP is directly related to the sponsors and members. Without their support, the BRWP would not be able to survive. Special Thanks to our 2014 sponsors: Blanchard Cricket Frog level - $5,000 City of Findlay Hancock County Commissioners Great Blue Heron level - $1,000 Putnam County Commissioners Village of Bluffton Village of Ottawa Sunfish level - $500 AE Curbside - Findlay Millstream Area Credit Union Thermoplastic Materials & Manufacturing Dragonfly level - $250 Beerco Hancock Park District Hancock SWCD Hempy Water Conditioning - Forest Legacy Farmers Coop. Maumee Conservancy District Stan K. Doty D.D.S - Findlay Ted s Market - Pandora Whirlpool Corporation BOARD MEETINGS: The Board of Directors voted to hold their meetings bi-monthly starting in February on the 3 rd Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Check the web site for the location of each meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend. PHOTO SPOTLIGHT PHOTO CREDIT: Bill Lishawa YOUR HELP IS NEEDED IN 2014 The BRWP was informed there would be no new grants from ODNR to support a watershed coordinator after our grant runs out. The BRWP needs to raise funds to run daily operations and to fund the coordinator s position. Presently, 75% of the coordinator s position is paid by the state grant. The BRWP will need to find additional funds if we are to maintain a full-time coordinator. Funding sources include: grants, corporate and business sponsorships, fundraisers, and membership dues. Please consider renewing your membership or joining the BRWP for the first time. See the attached brochure for information. In addition, the BRWP is always looking for volunteers to help with activities during the year. For more information on volunteering call Phil Martin at SPRING / SUMMER BRWP ACTIVITIES April 26 - River Clean-up in Findlay from 9 till noon. Call to pre-register or meet under the I-75 bridge on the road off Broad Ave. This road is south of the river by the Findlay Pollution Control Center. May 3 - River Clean-up in Ottawa. Contact the Village of Ottawa at for more information. May 21 - Executive Committee Meeting at the Hancock County Engineer s meeting room from 4:00-6:00 p.m. May 24 - Crossing the Little Riley Creek golf scramble at the Bluffton Golf Club. Check the web site at for information or call June 18 - Board of Directors meeting at the Hancock County Engineer s meeting room from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. June Volunteers needed to help with Water Quality Monitoring on the Blanchard River, Lye Creek, Riley Creek and Little Riley Creek. Call to volunteer. NEED MORE INFORMATION? Visit our website at, or on facebook at Blanchard River Watershed Partnership to find more information and to get involved. 45

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