Future Program Needs in Addressing
Watershed Operation Issues
Watershed Project Staffing Needs
The need for diversified staffing is important. Currently, team member backgrounds cover areas
of education, forestry, soil science, agronomy, wildlife biology, engineering, policy, planning
and evaluation, natural resource analysis and water quality protection.
The team members feel this same diversified background would help keep the project successful.
One area they would like to see expanded is a communication/public relations staff member. For
a period of six months in 1995 the project supported its first-ever communications/public
relations staff member. Great success was achieved in getting information about the project
out to the public. By expanding the watershed newsletter distribution list and expanding
efforts in newspaper articles, presentations and displays, the communication/public relations
team member produced long-overdue project promotional material.
Another area which has received attention from both the public and the project team is a staff
member to administer monitoring efforts and the data gathered. This could be addressed with
the development of the River/Lake Keeper position discussed in the Section 10. Most team members
currently conduct monitoring efforts of various kinds. The new staff person would help expand
the monitoring efforts and build the database to track future progress as well as present
successes.
Develop Complete Set of Aerial Photos of the Watershed
Each Farm Service Agency (FSA) has a complete set of their county's photos on record. These
photos are six years old and they don't know when the next set will be taken. Because they are
six years old, they show none of the water quality or soil stabilization practices implemented
by the watershed project. The project could purchase a set of these photos for $500 to $1,000,
depending on the number of photos needed to cover the watershed.
Another option is to hire a private pilot to fly the watershed and by borrowing the Logan
County FSA office camera equipment, slides could be made of the watershed. FSA will sell copies
of their slides at $1 a slide. Slides would cost $90 to $100 between the three counties. If
the project chose to enlarge the slides to scale there would be a processing fee, too.
Through the permission of FSA, the project can use their slides and Numonics Digitizer to make
the necessary calculations and measurements needed in the daily tracking of the watershed
implemented BMPS. These photo slides, which are taken every year, would help the project track
trends and give indications of where BMPs need to be targeted and installed.
Develop Detailed Maps of Watershed
The original watershed maps were printed in 1989 by the Natural Resource Conservation Service
(NRCS), then the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). No new maps have been produced since. If
a GIS computer system is purchased, the project could plot and print their own maps. While
efforts are undertaken to obtain a GIS system, the project may be able to work with the NRCS
state office to have detailed maps drawn of the watershed area. It may require the project
personnel to go to the Columbus office to assist in the process. Once an original base map is
developed, the project could have it reproduced.
Present Project to More Organizations and Groups
During 1995 Indian Lake Project Team members made presentations to local community, business
and civic organizations. The input gathered from the surveying process indicates the project
needs to deliver more information to the public on the project accomplishments. The hiring of
the communications position in 1995 was beneficial in the public relations efforts. Though the
position was only active for a short period of time it has had lasting results for the project. Hiring of a
part-time communications person would be beneficial. This person could write the newsletters,
newspaper articles and handle general public relations.
The project needs to get the word out about the accomplishments made by the project as well as
what the public can do to help. A speaker's bureau would be helpful for the team to be on a
speaking circuit. If a bureau is set up, training for the team members would be necessary so
the project is represented in a unified manner by all members. The more the project's name is
associated with the public and gets the public familiar with what a watershed project is and
how it functions, the better understanding and the more likely the public is to become
involved.
Obtain Computer Systems to Run a GIS Program
Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer-based mapping program. The State of Ohio NRCS
office has GIS map data digitized on Indian Lake Watershed in its system. By obtaining a
computer system and the software, the project would be able to construct and develop its own
maps. There are many different types of GIS software. It would be advisable to purchase a
system which would be compatible to the State NRCS office system. Whichever system is chosen,
there would need to be training provided for project personnel to operate the system. The
state uses the system Geographic Resource Analysis Support System (GRASS). This software is
free under the laws of public domain. If the GRASS system is chosen the project will be able
to directly transfer GIS data currently on file at the state NRCS office.
Develop Computer Communications with Public
The watershed project needs a computer for word processing purposes as well as data management
issues. If a computer system was obtained, the project could develop a communications system
on an electronic mail network. This E-mail and Internet set-up would allow the project to
communicate with the public in another format. They could use it for information searches for
the latest research findings, new technology, and funding sources, to name a few.
The future is heading towards an electronic data handling setup. The project could handle many
operations with its own computer system. The project would need to research the needs necessary
for the daily operations; then investigate where to purchase the best possible system.
Obtain a Complete GPS Station
Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense as a world-wide
navigation and positioning resource. The use of the 24 satellites orbiting the earth to
process the GPS information system is free of charge. The main cost entailed is the purchase of
the sending/receiving system required to use GPS. A grant could probably be obtained to help
on the cost of a system. GPS is quickly becoming the international standard for navigation; a
powerful system available to everyone, everywhere. A GPS system would be utilized by the
project in many aspects of data-gathering in the various programs. If the GPS data is
interfaced with a GIS system, the project would be able to better map project parameters.
Obtain Watershed Vehicle
The project is in need of a pickup truck to haul supplies to the various work sites. At present
a vehicle is borrowed from the SWCD offices, or else team members are using their personal
vehicles to transport materials.
Economic Analysis & Evaluation Efforts on Programs
Evaluation checks progress and whether progress is continuing to meet intended goals and
objectives. By evaluating the watershed programs, team members can use the data gathered to
reveal contributions made by implementation of the programs. The benefits may be environmental
or economical. Conducting cost analysis of BMP implementation versus cost of environmental
degradation of sedimentation would show that it's easier to prevent the problem than try to
clean up after the problem occurs. Other efforts mentioned in this area include the
following:
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Economic importance of lake
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Economic importance of possible navigational areas
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Economic cost of soil erosion
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Water quality and clarity vs. property values
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Water quality and relation to economic stability to businesses
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The project would need to hire an evaluation person to conduct the necessary research, or they
could pay the stipend and other fees necessary to obtain a graduate research student. The cost
varies for different departments to obtain a graduate student, but there are many departments
which are looking for projects. An inventory of items needing evaluation and analysis needs to
be developed. Once the list is developed, it could be sent to the various departments at the
surrounding colleges and universities to see if they have an interest in the proposed
projects.
Future Operation Educational and Public Relation Needs
| Aggressively recruit partners/stakeholders to accept ownership of the project |
| Address problems on a more holistic approach |
| Marking of watershed boundaries with large signs |
| Meet with public on small scale groups about project |
| Involve outreach to schools |
| Awarding and recognition for those who are working to improve water quality |
| Promote project with t-shirts, promotional items at camp store and lake businesses |
| Economic benefits of project on local businesses and residents |
Future Operation Monitoring and Evaluation Needs
| Economic aspects of lake region |
| Survey more people and repeat periodically to monitor perceptual changes |
| Evaluation of all aspects of project and programs to monitor progress and impact on water quality |
| Obtain landowner parcel data to be used for program development |
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