2013 retreat: water committee

Sierra Club Ohio ChapterClean Water Campaign

Jeff Cox, Water Committee ChairMatt Trokan, Conservation ManagerBen Wickizer, Conservation CoordinatorAmanda Keith, Conservation Coordinator

To educate, engage, and empower Ohioans to restore, improve, And protect Ohio’s waterways.

Ohio has ample freshwater resources with more than 199,000 miles of rivers and streams.

Ohio River

We use our water ways for recreation; swimming,

fishing, boating, and other activities

We all need Clean Water!

We use it everyday for drinking, cooking, and

bathing.

However… many of our streams, rivers,

and lakes are neglected, invaded,

and trashed. The lack of water

monitoring, general inaccessibility, and disconnection from nature conceals the

true state of our water!

Stream

The majority of fish in Ohio are unsafe

for consumption due to high levels of

mercury.

Miami Fort power plant, Cincinnati Ohio

66% of Ohio’s waterways are not safe for recreation!

Paddle Fest 2012, Cincinnati Ohio

Algae Blooms from nutrient pollution are literally choking the life out of

Ohio’s Lakes.

Grand Lake St. Mary’s 2010

Ohio leads the nation with over 1,000 combined sewer overflow points.

Natural Resource extraction of dirty fossil fuels like coal and

natural gas threaten Ohio’s clean water, and so much more!

Together we will continue to improve, restore, and protect Ohio’s waterways.

2013 will be a banner year for the campaign as we have developed the internal structure and external programs (Water Sentinels/Clean Water Fellowship) that will ensure success.

Ohio Water Sentinels 2012

Raised over $200,000 for Clean WaterExpanded water sentinel & fellowship programCreated 3 regions (north, south, central)Set 3 measurable goals

Since 2010, we have raised $400,000 for clean water in Ohio, half of which we raised last year!

Fiscal Stability & Fundraising Plan

1st quarter Beyond Coal Grant

2nd quarter Aveda Earth Month

3rd quarter Greater Cincinnati Foundation & Freshwater

Futures Foundation

4th quarter Burning River Brewery Fresh ideas for Freshwater

Water Sentinel Funding 2012

Ohio Water Sentinel ProgramLake Erie

Ohio River

Urban/City Pollution - Stormwater Runoff- CSO, SSO, HSTS pollution- Illegal dumping- Industrial runoff

Rural/Agricultural Pollution- CAFO farms - Phosphorous-based fertilizers and pesticides

Mineral Extraction and Disposal- Mining- Shale gas/Fracking- Injection Wells

2012-Over 150 participants-400+ data entries-New Forms,-New Projects, &-New Partners

2013-250 total participants-1000+ data entries-New Website-More Organized-More Outreach

Clean Water Fellowship Program

Building the environmental leaders of tomorrow, since 2010.

• 2,500 hrs. in 2012• Goal of 3,000 hrs. in 2013• 8 Fellows spring semester• Engaging 5 local groups

Matt-stewardship…service hour goal

StewardshipGoal of 3,000 service hours in 2013

Central Ohio Updates

• Franklin County Lawsuit

• 5th ave dam removed

• Water Sentinel program

• Service program – over 1,300 hours for 2012

• Protecting the Sawmill Wetlands

Hocking Hills

Northern, OHUpdates

Water Sentinel Projects in NEO:

- Summit,- Carroll,- Portage, - Cuyahoga, & - Mahoning

2012 Conservation Outcomes: Carroll County & Summit County

Combined Sewer Overflow

In southern Ohio Sewage is a huge issue• Wesselman Creek• Mill Creek• Little Miami River

Brian

Ohio Water Sentinels

“Not blind opposition to progress, but opposition to blind progress”-John Muir

Join us on a Water Committee Call

4th Wednesday of month6:00-7:00 p.m.