MWCD awards grants to help with watershed pollution strategies in area

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District recently announced the awarding of $97,000 to seven regional conservation organizations for the development of 11 nonpoint source implementation strategies within the Muskingum River Watershed.

Awardees include the following:

—Ashland Soil & Water Conservation District.

—City of Mt. Vernon.

—Holmes Soil & Water Conservation District.

—Licking Soil & Water Conservation District.

—Medina Soil & Water Conservation District.

—Rural Action.

—Village of Hebron.

A NPS-IS is a watershed plan that identifies sources of nonpoint source pollution and details strategies to reduce them. Unlike pollution from a single, identifiable source, nonpoint source pollution originates from diffuse sources such as agricultural operations, urban runoff, septic systems and roadways.

“This fund represents a significant step forward in supporting MWCD’s neighboring communities as they work to improve water quality and manage flood risks,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. “By assisting with the development of these strategic plans, we are helping to lay the groundwork for long-term environmental and economic benefits throughout the Muskingum River Basin.”

These plans, written by local conservation professionals and facilitated through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program, describe environmental challenges within a watershed, establish improvement goals and recommend science-based, practical conservation strategies. Once an NPS-IS meets U.S. EPA Section 319 program standards, communities become eligible to pursue Section 319 funding to implement projects outlined in the plan.

Each watershed has its own list of issues, and each plan will be unique to properly address those issues. With these strategies in place, communities can secure funding for projects that directly improve water quality and the environment around them.

The NPS-IS Development Fund was initiated in 2024 with a goal of increasing the number of watershed plans in the Muskingum River drainage basin as well as the funding opportunities for communities that come with them.

“When the program started, of the 302 watersheds that make up the Muskingum River drainage basin, only 6% of the area had an NPS-IS (18 NPS-IS written),” said Rome Marinelli, watershed coordinator for the MWCD. “Today, I’m excited to share that by funding this latest round of NPS-IS requests, MWCD will cover 12% of the Muskingum River Watershed with an NPS-IS.

"Collectively, these plans will cover 295,799 acres and over 144,000 individuals. Our goal is to have 20% of the Muskingum River Basin covered by 2030.”