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Members of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) Board of Directors approved investing $5 million to create a fund managed by The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) at their meeting held on January 27.

FAO is a regional community foundation serving Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties with the mission to create opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. The organization has five areas of investment known as Pillars of Prosperity Funds. The pillars are education, health and human services, community and economic development, arts and culture, and environmental stewardship.

The MWCD recently completed a five-year strategic plan which focuses on key areas, including strengthening conservation and sustainability. The plan identifies ways to makes tangible progress toward improving water quality, protecting healthy ecosystems, catalyzing collaborations, and demonstrating sustainability. The investment to FAO will contribute to their Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity which aligns with the priorities within the MWCD Conservation Strategic plan.

We are very excited to partner with FAO as we share a commitment to improving lives and the environment  in Appalachia said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director.  MWCD remains committed to our mission of flood mitigation, recreation, and conservation and through our strategic investments, we now have the opportunity to fund programs that will encourage and enhance environmental stewardship.

“We are grateful for MWCD’s visionary leadership in our region,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO President & CEO.  “MWCD’s investment will create many possibilities in the areas of environmental stewardship, not only today but for generations to come. We are excited to be partnering with MWCD and look forward to sharing information and grant applications soon.”

For more information, visit www.mwcd.org or www.appalachianohio.org.

Photograph Attached: Left to right: Front Row: Jim Crandall, MWCD CFO, Cara Dingus Brook, FAO President & CEO, The Honorable Judge Robert S. Moorehead, Jr., President, MWCD Board of Directors, Joanne Limbach, MWCD Board Member, Holley Shelton, FAO Vice President Back Row: Gordon Maupin, MWCD Board Member, Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director, James Gresh, MWCD Board Member

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) announced today that it has been recognized for excellence in policy management and training in 2022 by Lexipol, the nation’s leading provider of policy, training and wellness support for first responders and public servants.

The Lexipol Connect program tracks MWCD law enforcement performance on five metrics proven to measure success in policy management. MWCD achieved Gold recognition for consistent and effective policy dissemination to personnel, timely policy updates as laws change, and officer training on policies.

“I am very proud of the Ranger Department for this recognition,” says Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director. “MWCD’s excellence in policy and policy training enhances community safety by ensuring consistent, effective response based on national best practices. We are proud to be recognized by Lexipol Connect for continuously improving professionalism and safety.”

In 2021, the ranger department also received the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency Certification. To obtain the certification, agencies must meet statewide standards set by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, and the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency Certification Program.

MWCD Rangers are required to be certified police officers within the State of Ohio and have full police powers on MWCD property and adjacent property. To become a certified Police Officer, they must complete the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy.  The requirements include intense training on Ohio Laws, Search and Seizure, Self Defense Training, Use of Force Training, Firearms, Pursuit Driving, Human Behaviors, De-escalation Techniques, Diversity, First Aid, and numerous other topics.  The MWCD employs 34 Rangers who are guided by professional policies that are written by Lexipol and are nationally recognized as Best Practices for Law enforcement Agencies.  

The job duties for a MWCD Ranger can vary daily from patrolling camp areas, cottage areas, and lakes, to providing Ohio Boater or Hunter Education Courses to the community. They also conduct safety checks, respond to noise complaints, criminal violations, and assist other nearby agencies. Lake Rangers complete vessel inspections, investigate boating accidents, and patrol the waterways to ensure safety.  

“Our rangers are committed to ensuring the safety of our guests who visit the MWCD lakes and surrounding communities,” said Scott Barnhart, Interim MWCD Chief Ranger. “Our Rangers are committed to delivering a standard of excellence through their policy management efforts that reduce risk for personnel and those we serve.”

For more information, visit www.mwcd.org or www.lexipol.com.

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) is adding 13 solar energy projects in 2023.  The solar power generated from these projects will save MWCD money on electricity bills and help offset approximately 73% of the energy on locations with solar and lower our carbon footprint by an estimated 656 tons of CO2 emissions.  This is a win-win for MWCD and the environment.

The MWCD Board of Directors recently approved an agreement with IMC Solar at their December board meeting to provide solar energy at Atwood, Clendening, Piedmont, Seneca, and Tappan Lakes, in addition to the office located in New Philadelphia.

“MWCD’s mission is to be a good steward of our natural resources,” said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director. “By harnessing solar energy to help power our facilities, we can reduce our carbon footprint, and lessen our environmental impact.  Ohio has excellent opportunities for solar power, and we expect to grow this program to expand in the future.  We are fortunate to partner with IMC Solar and welcome them as part of our team to help us manage our long-term energy management needs.”

“The IMC Solar team is thrilled to partner with MWCD to develop renewable energy to help the District achieve its sustainability goals.  The solar program will also provide better economics for the District’s energy expenditures,” said Rick Frio, Managing Partner IMC Solar. 

The analysis began in 2022 with IMC Solar assessing the solar potential for MWCD. This included evaluating electricity usage, determining potential solar locations, and potential cost savings. IMC Solar will assist during the construction phase as well as the negotiations of a Purchase Power Agreement, including providing financial modeling of the potential projects.

Attendees at the Atwood Fall Festival will notice a new addition at the park grounds this weekend. Through a partnership between the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) and Rural Action, the festival will receive a waste assessment during the event. The assessment will outline how much waste is generated at the festival, along with how much could potentially be diverted through reduction, recycling, and composting options.

“Conducting a waste assessment is an important step towards our organization’s goals of sustainability and conservation” shared Matt Thomas, Chief of Conservation with MWCD. “Good decisions are based on good data, and we need to better understand where our parks and events are, in terms of generating waste.”

The waste sorting belt at a past zero waste event

Rural Action will be providing assessment services through their social enterprise, Zero Waste Event Productions. Selections of waste will be sampled from throughout the event grounds and at different times in order to get a complete picture of what attendees are disposing of. At the completion of the event, the information will be compiled into a report detailing the estimated weights of compostable and recyclable material, as well as “true trash,” and recommendations for how to fully adopt “zero waste” practices at future Atwood Fall Festivals.

Attendees will be able to watch the sorting process during the event, with a sorting belt located near the central recycling station. Staff will be on-site and ready to explain both zero waste principles, and about general waste management and recycling considerations.

Zero Waste Event Productions has been successful in diverting up to 90% of waste in similarly sized events. Through the partnership with MWCD, Rural Action is also conducting an assessment of waste at the park grounds during the normal summer season.

The Atwood Fall Festival will be held September 30th-October 2nd at Atwood Lake Park. Festival information can be found at www.atwoodfallfest.org. 

Rural Action is a regional community development organization with a 32-county footprint working with members and community leaders on a range of quality of life, environmental, and economic projects across rural Appalachian Ohio. Its mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways. Learn more about Rural Action at www.ruralaction.org

Race Brimstone and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) are partnering to bring races of various distances to MWCD parks in 2023. The races, which will include distances for beginners and advanced runners, range in length from 5k to 200 miles.

“We not only love challenging ourselves but enjoy helping and encouraging others on their journey to accomplish their personal goals,” said Jeremy Followay, co-director of the Canal Fulton based organization. “Our goal at Race Brimstone is to create top-quality races with a unique flair. Every runner from the experienced veteran to the first-time newbie will feel valued, supported, and inspired: before, during, and after the race.”

Followay shares race director role with Eric Whittington. The two host a variety of races throughout the region annually, but the circuit with MWCD will be a first. “We are always looking for areas to run to keep the routes new and interesting for our runners,” said Whittington. “We are so excited to partner with MWCD to bring this new series to our runners.  While scouting the routes, we have seen some of the most beautiful areas of the state. Our runners are going to love exploring this part of Ohio.”

“I have been an avid runner for years, and have been on trails throughout the entire country,” said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director. “The trails located within the MWCD are some of my favorites.  We are very blessed to have portions of the Buckeye Trail, a 1,440-mile loop trail, on MWCD property in addition to trails at our parks. When you run here, it is easy sometimes to feel like you are the only person in the world, the scenery is absolutely stunning, and the trails are very well maintained.” 

Races will be held in April through August. To register, visit www.MWCD.org/Brimstone. Register prior October 1 to receive 10% off race registration using code IAMIN.

“We know that our guests are interested in trails to enjoy everything from hiking, biking, walking, running, and horseback riding so we have prioritized expanding and increasing the number of trail miles in our parks and will continue these projects for years to come,” said Butler. “Providing safe spaces for people to enjoy nature is our mission and we encourage everyone to visit our facilities. Whatever your ability, come out and utilize the trails and beautiful outdoor spaces that are maintained for public use and exercise.”

2023 Races

April 22, 2023 – Clendening Half Marathon (Freeport, OH)

June 17, 2023 – Atwood Half Marathon, 10 mile, and 5k (Mineral City, OH)

July 8, 2023 – Tappan Trail Marathon, 5k (Deersville, OH)

August 5 – 9, 2023 – 5 Lake Ultra Race 200 and 100 mile, and 100k and 50k race including Atwood, Leesville, Tappan, Clendening, Piedmont lakes

 

• 2 Night Minimum stay required

• Valid only on campsites – not cabins

• Promo is good for Sunday – Thursday arrivals

• The discount is valid on new reservations, subject to availability

• No refunds and not transferrable

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) officials recently held a meeting for stakeholders including elected officials, economic development representatives, trail groups, and state and local officials in Cambridge, Ohio. The MWCD is seeking funding from Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Grant Program funds to build a world-class trail system at its Wills Creek property located in Coshocton County, Ohio. If funding is awarded through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Mineral Resources Management (DMRM), MWCD plans to convert abandoned mine lands into an area that the public can safely recreate. This trail system will also bring economic development to the surrounding communities.

“Outdoor recreation is a growing industry throughout the country, and our region is no exception,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director.  “We are working to diversify outdoor recreation opportunities and believe this proposed trail system, along with the Bailey’s trail in Chauncey, Ohio and the trails on/near our lands in Ashland and Richland Counties will become a world-class ‘Triangle of Trails’, attracting families from across the region and country to enjoy.”

This initial kick-off meeting provided an opportunity for attendees to better understand MWCD’s projected plans in the Wills Creek watershed. MWCD owns over 6,500 acres of contiguous land after acquiring a total of 2,761 acres in 2020 and 2021 from American Electric Power. The proposed project is estimated to have a footprint of 500-600 acres, with future phases extending across our lands.

“The exact size and layout of the trail system is to be determined and would be part of the planning phase that this grant would fund,” said Dylan Sayre, MWCD trails coordinator. “The suggested plan would be the first phase of a trail system that would extend to over 100 miles of trails in the future.”

MWCD shared with attendees that the current plan would use funds to design and build 10-15 miles of world-class hiking and biking trails. Funding would also be used to construct a trailhead, parking, primitive campgrounds, restrooms, and install infrastructure for the facilities.

Additional MWCD work includes continued conversations with ODNR-DMRM to reclaim structures, such as high walls and open mine shafts. This work would be made possible by utilizing the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program funds in conjunction with AMLER funds to develop the trail facilities. Reclaiming the area will mitigate the environmental and safety hazards left behind by the coal mining operations that were once prevalent in the area. Reclamation will provide the grounds needed to build a quality trail system while making the area safer for others that use the area for other activities such as hunting and fishing.

The grant application for funding is due in September. Should money be awarded, project design and planning could begin as early as 2023.

The Board of Directors of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) recently approved the tenth grant of the year which brings MWCD grant funding in 2016 to over $500,000. The grant program, called Partners in Watershed Management (PWM), provides for the use of maintenance assessment funds to assist local communities, groups, and organizations in implementing water quality projects, flood reduction and mitigation programs, and watershed education efforts throughout the 18 county Conservancy District. This highly successful program was instituted in 2009 and has provided over $5.6 million in grant funding for 79 projects throughout the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. For every $1 granted by MWCD in 2016 another $2.75 of funding is leveraged from other funding sources for the specified water quality projects. The ten projects approved for PWM grant funding in 2016 include the following:

Applications and eligibility requirements for the PWM grant program can be found on the District’s website at www.mwcd.org.

Nine grants worth nearly $16,000 have been approved by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation (MWCF) for environmental education, law enforcement and safety equipment, and park amenities.

Grant assistance has been approved by the MWCF Board of Trustees for the following projects:

• $1,000 to the Muskingum County Soil and Water Conservation District to support the Kids Conservation Camp, a biweekly summer environmental education program.
• $2,250 to the Tappan Lake Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a rapid deployment craft for its Regional Dive Team to provide enhanced rescue capabilities.
• $2,861 to Charles Mill Lake Park to purchase an automated external defibrillator and picnic table for the Messerly Recreation Center.
• $1,848 to Charles Mill Lake Park to purchase window treatments for the Messerly Recreation Center.
• $600 to the Buckeye Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council for updating and printing the Ohio Mineland Partnership informational brochure.
• $1,080 to Charles Mill Lake Park to purchase patrol and surveillance binoculars for Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) rangers at Charles Mill Lake Park and Pleasant Hill Lake Park.
• $498 to Charles Mill Lake Park to purchase safety steps for the activity stage.
• $4,500 to Charles Mill Lake Park to purchase vinyl roll-up doors for the Messerly Recreation Center.
• $1,000 to Charles Mill Lake Park to install a monument to memorialize former MWCD Ranger James R. Pitney.

In another matter, the MWCF Board of Trustees announced its 16^th Annual Golf Outing will be held Aug. 14 at Oak Shadows Golf Club in New Philadelphia. The event currently has 11 Gold Sponsors: DLZ Corp., Hull and Associates, W.E. Quicksall and Associates, Beaver Excavating, Chesapeake Energy, Pissocra-Mathias Realty, Hammontree and Associates, MS Consultants, URS, Stantec Consulting Services and KeyBank.

Team registration is no longer available, as the maximum number of teams has registered for this outing.

For more details about the golf outing or to learn more about exciting sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.muskingumfoundation.org, or contact Nick Lautzenheiser toll-free at (877) 363-8500 Ext. 2506.

The MWCF is a publicly supported charitable organization organized in 1996 that is dedicated to supporting the mission of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD). While the MWCF is completely independent from the MWCD, with its own Board of Trustees, it has developed charitable funds that support improvements and programs on and around MWCD facilities. Since 2004, the MWCF Board of Trustees has awarded more than $286,000 for 57 projects in and around the Muskingum Watershed.

The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the 16 reservoirs and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving an estimated $11.1 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding, according to the federal government, as well as providing popular recreational opportunities that bolster the region’s economy. A significant portion of the reservoirs are managed by the MWCD and the dams are managed for flood-risk management by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org and follow the MWCD on Facebook and Twitter.

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Four grants worth nearly $6,200 have been approved by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation (MWCF) for programs to be conducted at the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) lakes.

Grant assistance has been approved by the MWCF Board of Trustees for the following projects:

* $1,080 to purchase 60 signs for locations at the lakes to promote the MWCD’s “Dock Watch” theft prevention program.

* $1,850 for the purchase of eight rechargeable flashlights for rangers and a cage for a law enforcement vehicle at the MWCD’s Charles Mill and Pleasant Hill lake parks.

* $1,300 for law enforcement training for rangers at Charles Mill and Pleasant Hill lake parks.

* $1,959 to assist with the purchases of a safety boat and 15 pairs of binoculars for FFA Camp Muskingum located on Leesville Lake.

The Board of Trustees also announced that the 15^th Annual MWCF Golf Outing will be held on Aug. 15 at Oak Shadows Golf Club at New Philadelphia.

In another matter, the MWCF Board of Trustees re-elected James Schoch of New Philadelphia in Tuscarawas County as chairman, Harry Horstman of Scio in Harrison County as vice chairman and Faye Heston of Canton in Stark County as secretary-treasurer.

Trustees also appointed John Davis of the Scio area in Carroll County as a new member of the Board of Trustees.  Davis, a former educator and Carroll County commissioner, also spent 20 years as the director of FFA Camp Muskingum at Leesville Lake.

The MWCF is a publicly supported charitable organization initially organized in 1996 that is dedicated to supporting the mission of the MWCD. While the MWCF is completely independent from the MWCD, with its own Board of Trustees, it has developed charitable funds that support improvements and programs on and around MWCD facilities.

Some of the other projects it has funded or assisted in funding include development of a dog park at Atwood Lake Park, a new ranger cruiser at Charles Mill Lake Park, play equipment at various locations, safety and response equipment for a ranger cruiser at Pleasant Hill Lake Park, courtesy boat docks at Tappan Lake, an oil tank for FFA Camp Muskingum located at Leesville Lake, automated external defibrillator (AED) devices at many MWCD facilities, a multi-purpose trail plan for the Atwood Lake region, a weather warning system for the Seneca Lake Park region and ice rescue equipment for the Village of Carrollton. Since 2008, more than $100,000 has been awarded by the MWCF for projects.

In addition to Davis, members of the MWCF Board of Trustees are the following:

James Schoch, chairman – a resident of Tuscarawas County and a retired banker, Schoch is a member of Atwood Yacht Club and also serves as the treasurer and executive board member of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance.

Harry Horstman, vice chairman – a resident of Harrison County, Horstman also is a member of the MWCD Board of Directors, served as a member and former chairman of the Development Advisory Committee of the MWCD, and managed Camp Aldersgate located at Leesville Lake for 30 years.

Faye Heston, secretary/treasurer – a resident of Stark County who has served on the boards of various community service organizations, Heston also is a former member of the Development Advisory Committee of the MWCD.

Jim Bates – a resident of Guernsey County and former camper at Seneca Lake Park, Bates also served as a member and former chairman of the Development Advisory Committee of the MWCD.

Bob Blanke – a resident of Harrison County and a retired metropolitan parks official, Blanke also has served as a member and former chairman of the Development Advisory Committee of the MWCD.

John M. Hoopingarner – a resident of Tuscarawas County, Hoopingarner is the executive director of the MWCD.

Leslie Hudson-Carper – a resident of Summit County, Hudson-Carper is a financial advisor and has been an active sailor at Atwood Lake for many years.

David Parham – a resident of the Atwood Lake area, Parham also is a member of the MWCD Board of Directors.

For more details about the foundation, including donation options, visit www.muskingumfoundation.org or contact Nick Lautzenheiser toll-free at (877) 363-8500 Ext. 2256.

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Nine community projects located throughout the 18-county Muskingum River Watershed region will receive a total of $750,000 in funding this year from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s (MWCD) “Partners in Watershed Management” grant program.

The MWCD Board of Directors recently approved the grants that assist local groups, organizations and communities in implementing water quality projects, flood reduction and mitigation programs, and watershed education efforts throughout the region.

Since the inception of the Partners in Watershed Management program in 2009, the MWCD has awarded a total of 37 grants worth more than $3 million to approved programs and projects. The goal of the Partners in Watershed Management program is to provide a portion of the overall funding needed for approved projects, permitting eligible recipients to access other grants and partnering efforts.

“Over the four years of our projects, we are very pleased on the return on the MWCD investment, which is greater than a four-to-one margin,” said Boris E. Slogar, MWCD chief engineer. “This is exactly as the program was envisioned and developed, so that MWCD funding leverages local dollars to get important projects completed.”

Individual projects approved for 2013 in the Partners in Watershed Management program, the amount funded by the MWCD and the overall project cost are as follows:

City of Massillon, Stark County – modification of levee, $350,000 as part of a $2.048 million project.

Stark Parks, Stark County – water quality educational program, $35,000 as part of a $75,000 project.

Harrison County Commissioners – regional sewer system feasibility study for the Piedmont Lake region, $8,000 as part of a $10,000 project.

 Huff Run Watershed, Tuscarawas County – environmental education program, $25,000 as part of a $37,898 project.

Noble County Commissioners – sewer system design in Seneca Lake area residential area, $85,000 as part of a $210,000 project.

Friends of Lower Muskingum River, Morgan County – Muskingum River (Luke Chute) bank stabilization study, $10,000 as part of a $48,000 project.

Village of Malvern, Carroll County – Big Sandy Creek bank stabilization, $115,000 as part of a $153,618 project.

City of Canton, Stark County – Nimishillen Creek restoration, $60,000 as part of a $88,100 project.

Richland County Engineer – Pavonia East Road bridge replacement, $62,000 as part of a $704,000 project.

Projects are funded through proceeds from the assessment of property owners collected by the MWCD to provide for the safe and effective operation of the system of reservoirs and dams in the Muskingum River Watershed for flood reduction and water conservation.

Applications for Partners in Watershed Management projects are accepted by the MWCD with a deadline of Nov. 29, 2013, for projects in 2014. For details and application materials, visit the MWCD’s website at www.mwcd.org.

The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the 16 reservoirs and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving more than $10 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding, according to the federal government, as well as providing popular recreational opportunities that bolster the region’s economy. A significant portion of the reservoirs are managed by the MWCD and the dams are managed for flood-risk management by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org and follow the MWCD on Facebook and Twitter.

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