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In early 2012, Ohio’s Directors of Natural Resources, Agriculture and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency were charged
by Governor Kasich with developing recommendations for improving Ohio’s waterways while maintaining the integrity of the
region’s agricultural industry. This resulted in the Directors’ Agriculture Nutrients and Water Quality Working Group report
that was released in March 2012. To view the report, click here.
Ohio Clean Lakes Initiative
Now, the recommendations included in the report are being carried out through the
Ohio Clean Lakes Initiative. With a goal
of educating and training farmers and other interested parties on agricultural nutrient management and stewardship, together
everyone can help keep Lake Erie healthy. For more information on the Ohio Clean Lakes Initiative, click here.
Resources
Directors’ Working Group on Agricultural Nutrients and Water Quality
ODA met with agricultural and environmental leaders to discuss and develop solutions to phosphorous
issues impacting Lake Erie and Ohio’s inland waters. Co-hosting the meeting were the Directors of ODNR
and Ohio EPA, OSU College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Dean Dr. Bobby Moser, and USDA State
Conservationist Terry Cosby.
The outcome of the meeting was a decision to begin work on a comprehensive set of action steps that will address agriculture’s
cumulative impact on water quality. Videos of the information presented at the meeting are available below.
Nutrients and Water Quality Meeting Videos - August 25, 2011:
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1.
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James Zehringer, Director, Ohio Department of Agriculture
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2.
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Scott Nally,Director, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
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3.
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David Mustine, Director, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
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4.
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Bobby Moser, Dean, OSU College of Food, Ag. and Biological Sciences
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5.
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Lake Erie Phosphorus Task Force Report; Gail Hesse, Executive Director, Lake Erie Commission
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6.
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Lake Erie Water Quality Issues; Jeff Reutter, OSU Lake Erie Area Research
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7.
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Water Quality Monitoring Data; Pete Richards, Heidelberg University Water Quality Lab
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8.
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NRCS Work in the Grand Lake St. Marys Watershed; Terry Cosby, State Conservationist, USDA NRCS
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9.
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Status of Land around Grand Lake St. Marys; Steve McDevitt, USDA-NRCS
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10.
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Nutrient Runoff and Water Quality; Kevin Elder, Chief , ODA Livestock Environmental Permitting Program
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11.
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Soil Quality Demonstration; Mark Scarpitti, USDA-NRCS
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12.
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Ohio Phosphorus Index Framework; Libby Dayton, SENR, OSU
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13.
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Director Zehringer, Meeting Wrap-Up
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