Program Staffing

Implementation of the Indian Lake Watershed Project's diverse array of programs requires an equally diverse staff. The project team currently consists of individuals with expertise in education, forestry, soil science, agronomy, wildlife biology, engineering, policy, fiscal management, grant management, and water quality protection. In order to receive this diverse expertise, partner agencies including USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Ohio State University Extension (OSU Extension), and Division of Forestry provide technical support staff, while administrative staff is contracted by the Joint Board of Supervisors.

Both OSU Extension and NRCS receive funds from the federal government specifically to support Hydrologic Unit Areas (HUA) such as the Indian Lake Watershed Project. When the project's HUA status expires in September 1997 both agencies will stop receiving this federal support. It is unclear how staffing will be maintained at levels sufficient to implement the programs described above, some of which run through 2001. The table below gives some ideas on the current commitment provided by the agencies involved in the project.

Current and Historic Staffing Support from Partner Agencies

Agency Support Cost per Year

NRCS 2 staff positions with support:
Water Quality Coordinator
Soil Conservationist/Technician $80,000

OSU
Extension 2 Agents with support staff:
Agronomist Water Quality Agent $90,000

ODNR 1 Forester with support:
1/4 of time commitment $8,750

SWCD Technicians and support staff $15,000

Agency cooperation and assistance is critical to delivering quality service to the community, and the project continues efforts to foster these relationships. While future fund-raising efforts will likely become necessary to contract technical support staff, local governments can insure against a staffing shortfall past September, 1997 by absorbing a larger share of the project's staffing budget.

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