 | Ohio State University Extension
(OSU Extension) |
| Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) |
| Soil and Water Conservation Districts
(SWCD) |
| Farm Service Agency
(FSA) |
| Ohio Department of Natural Resources
(ODNR) |
| Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) |
| U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) |
Joint leadership for the project comes from OSU Extension, NRCS and SWCD. OSU Extension
provides information and educational assistance, including specific recommendations on the use
of nutrients and pesticides. NRCS and SWCD help farmers develop conservation systems to reduce
adverse effects on water quality. Together NRCS, SWCD, and OSU Extension set up demonstration
projects using conservation practices and worked with farmers who voluntarily implement the
practices on their operations and farmers applied to receive the cost-share money from FSA to
supplement the cost of converting to conservation practices. Educational activities are
conducted cooperatively by the project team with support from outside resources and technical
specialists. Much of the project's success is a result of team efforts and financial assistance
options provided by FSA, ODNR, and Ohio EPA which have been well received by the agricultural
community.
Indian Lake Watershed Project Joint Board (ILJB)
The Indian Lake Watershed Project Joint Board of Supervisors (ILJB) are the local steering
committee with the primary role in determining the non-point source problems in the watershed,
evaluating information on the problems, developing solutions to the identified significant
problems, and defining the roles and responsibilities at the local level for the implementation
of the plan. The ILJB has successfully directed the implementation of the Indian Lake Watershed
Management Plan which provided innovative educational, technical and financial assistance
programs to help farmers and landowners voluntarily address water quality concerns within the
Indian Lake watershed. The original ILJB consisted of three SWCD supervisors and numerous
state and federal agencies. The board structure was reorganized in 1995 to obtain more local
stakeholder input. The following are part of the Indian Lake Joint Board of Supervisors:
 | At-Large Representative |
| Civic Organization Representative |
| Elected Official Representative |
| ILDC Representative |
| Watershed Agricultural Producer Representative |
| Watershed Business Representative |
| Wildlife/Sportsman Club Representative |
Citizen Action Group
ILDC - Citizens United for Indian Lake Improvement (formally the Indian Lake Development
Corporation) was initiated in 1983 as an outgrowth of the state park advisory council
coordinated by the Indian Lake State Park Manager, Dave Heigeson. ILDC is a group of concerned
citizens dedicated to improving the lake area. The purpose of ILDC is not to work towards
increased funding for development of the park. The word development in ILDC is somewhat a
misnomer, because they are not developing the lake but taking actions which give back to the
park and lake area for all to enjoy. ILDC played an integral part in the formation of the
Indian Lake Watershed Project and continues an active role on the ILJB.
ILDC sponsors events to raise awareness of lake improvements and holds fundraising events to
support their programs. ILDC has sponsored projects including planting trees, developing bike
paths, making dredging improvements, placing benches around the park and making improvements
to many areas of the park. This local commitment of people has helped lead to the current
success of the project. Efforts are needed to expand and gain other stakeholders with the same
level of commitment as the ILDC members have committed to the improvement of the Indian Lake
Watershed.
Ohio Canal Lake Coalition
The six canal lakes developed to provide water for the canals and their locks include: Buckeye
Lake, Grand Lake St. Marys, Lake Loramie, Portage Lakes, Guilford Lake and Indian Lake. The
common beginning of these lakes implies the commonalities shared today. This common ground
inspired the formation of the Ohio Canal Lake Coalition (OCLC).
The mission of OCLC is to unite the six canal lakes to provide a unified voice for discussion
of lake issues with state agencies and law makers. The goal is to foster cooperation among
members and to share ideas for development of recreation opportunities, as well as long term
maintenance and improvement of the land and water environments of Ohio's canal lakes. Other
OCLC goals include:
 | Work with the state to assure a meaningful dredge program is maintained and adequately financed for the Ohio canal lakes. |
| Work for long term solutions and state financing of soil erosion issues in the canal lakes' watersheds. |
| Work for water quality improvement by encouraging education and communication on reducing point and non-point sources of pollution. |
ILDC has taken an active interest in the OCLC and has given time and support to assure its
future success. An ILDC member chairs the OCLC committee and has been helpful to the other
canal lakes which are in the infant stages of starting watershed projects. Indian Lake is
currently ahead of the other canal lakes in terms of water quality improvement work completed.
Indian Lake serves as a guide and example of the kind of progress which can be made in improving
water quality.
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