oeef grant application - ohio epa...corps volunteer for two years in thailand. he created and...

OEEF Grant Application

Application Type: GeneralGrant Application #: F-19G015Revision from previous application:

Previous grant received: S-17G-043

Organization InformationName: Mill Creek Alliance

Web Address: www.themillcreekalliance.orgAddress: 1662 Blue Rock Street, Cincinnati, OH 45223County: Hamilton

Project InformationProject Title: Mill Creek Alliance Water Quality Education and Monitoring

Educational Priority: Other Environmental Education Projects Requested Grant Amount: $29,341.07Target Audience: Pre-school to University - Primary, General Public - Secondary, Regulated Community - Secondary

Project Description:This project would expand the existing Mill Creek Citizen Water Quality Monitoring program and create a new Blue Team youthworkforce development program. The expansion of the program would add new sampling sites, new chemical tests, and streamlinethe testing process in the lab. In conjunction with these upgrades, we would create a Blue Team youth workforce education programto educate under-served youth from surrounding communities. The blue team would take part in training on the water qualitymonitoring process. This would allow youth to gain skills in a laboratory setting as well as the sampling procedure used throughoutthe watershed. Our collaboration with the University of Cincinnati would allow for the recruitment of youth into this program as well asour Green Corps workforce development program. The Blue Team would be paired with existing sampling teams where expertswould help them gain first hand sampling experience as well as environmental career education.

Anticipated List of Collaborators:Butler County Storm Water District, University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash, University of Cincinnati

Additional InformationHave you ever attended an OEEF grant-writing workshop? Yes Proposed Start Date: 12/03/2018

Will this project have statewide impact? Yes Proposed Completion Date: 11/30/2019Which Ohio counties will the activities take place in? Butler, Hamilton

Audience Category

Formal Education: Secondary: 9-12, Undergraduate

General Public Education: Adults Generally, Property Owners, Neighborhood/Community/Organizations

Governmental Entities: Local Government Agencies, Elected Officials

Regulated Community: Environmental Engineering, Nonprofit Organizations

Project Issues

Water Issues: Surface Water/Watersheds, Water Quality Monitoring

Land Issues: Habitat Preservation, Land Laboratories/Outdoor Classrooms

Other Issues: Environmental Justice

Executive SummaryAudience Need:The Mill Creek Water Quality Monitoring program and new Blue Team will provide accurate analysis of the water quality in the MillCreek while providing a hands-on experiential educational opportunity for young adults from under-served communities in the greaterwatershed. Updating the Water Quality Monitoring program to incorporate new tests and technology that are in line with the othermajor monitoring groups in the Tri-State will allow the program and region to continue to be at the forefront of data collection andanalysis for residents, resource managers, and regulated communities. Piloting the Blue Team, in collaboration with Mill CreekAlliance's Green Corps workforce development program and the University of Cincinnati, will provide an opportunity for young adults togain hands-on practical experience and exposure to field sampling and laboratory testing procedures, environmental careers, andfurther certification, where there has traditionally been a lack of these.

Key Personnel:Alan Edwards, Education Director, will manage this program. Tanner Yess, Deputy Director and Program Manager for the GreenCorps. Dr. Mike Miller, trainer of Blue Team/Interns/Volunteers. Katie Keller, Educator and Administrator of the water qualitymonitoring program.

Overall Project Objectives:The Water Quality Program will educate citizens, students, and elected officials on the quality of water throughout the Mill Creekwatershed so as to better inform them on best management practices and strategic watershed planning. Updating the programthrough adoption of new testing parameters (Chlorophyll and Optical Brightness) and technology (adoption of electronic data storagein lab and streamlining of electronic data collection in the field) will bring it inline with our sister programs throughout the region. Thecreation of the Blue Team will strengthen MCA's Green Corps workforce development program through the addition of hands-oneducation regarding scientific procedures from both the field sampling and laboratory testing to training and certification in level 2surface water chemistry. The Blue Team would also allow for a closer collaboration with the University of Cincinnati, exposing studentsto hands-on field science and careers.

Major Activities:January: Blue Team/University of Cincinnati Interns Orientation-Orient students and Blue Team in the program to how it will be run.Train participants in sampling, testing, and water chemistry. February: Training of Samplers - A training conducted by MCA to train ourvolunteer samplers in the appropriate sampling techniques for the program. Training of Laboratory Testers - A training conducted byMCA to train our volunteer lab technicians in the appropriate testing techniques for the program. March: State of the Mill Creek reportby Dr. Miller: a report out of the data collected from the previous year and an analysis of the data. March-November: Second Saturdaysampling and testing every month for nine months on 47 sampling sites in the Mill Creek watershed covering stream site surveys,Conductivity, pH, Turbidity, Total Phosphorus, Nitrates, Total Coliforms, E. coli, Chlorophyll, and Optical Brightness.

Overall Cost:OEEF Grant funding totaling $29,341.07 and Match funding totaling $43,078.98. OEEF: $20,788.98 in Salary, $10,190 in Equipment,$12,100 in Administrative. The grant funding will be used to cover salary for staff to run the program and for Blue Team employees($10,046.91), to purchase new equipment to conduct tests ($10,716), supplies to run the tests ($5,853.35), print data sheets andeducational materials ($1,044.81), Other Costs ($800), and Administrative ($880.00). Match Funding: $20,788.98 in Salary (VolunteerHours from sampling teams: 432hrs, Dr. Miller: 50hrs, and University of Cincinnati Interns: 360hrs) $10,190 in Equipment (YSIMultiLab 4010-2: $1,490, 5 iPads: $1,500, HACH DR3900 Spectrophotometer: $6,000, and 2100Q Turbimeter: $1,200) and $12,100 inAdministrative (Non Profit ArcGIS Desktop Subscription: $100 and Storage and Office space $12,000)

Project DescriptionAudience Need:In 1997, the Mill Creek waterway in Cincinnati was declared the most endangered urban river in North America. Since that declaration,The Mill Creek Alliance (MCA) has focused on restoring the built and natural communities along this waterway in a number of ways.The Water Quality Monitoring program was established in collaboration with the Butler County Storm Water District as a way ofmonitoring various parameters within Mill Creek. Since 1996, water quality, as indexed by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's(Ohio EPA) biocriteria, has shown marked improvement. We believe this trend will continue as long as the watershed's keystakeholders continue efforts to improve the stream and its tributaries, non-point source pollution source impacts, and natural habitat.We need consistent quality data to quantify the effectiveness of specific projects and policy changes in achieving water quality andhabitat benefits. We need a continuous comprehensive quality set of chemistry and flow data specific to the Mill Creek Watershed thatwill provide us with a baseline to understand, at the watershed scale, how investments in water quality improvement pay off.

To continue this trend, another important aspect that needs to be addressed is the engagement of the next generation ofenvironmental stewards and conservationists. With the changing demographics in the country and increasing number of urbandwellers, a disconnect from the natural world is being created. Most youth and young adults participating in MCA programs are fromunderserved areas in Cincinnati's Mill Creek river valley. These communities are economically distressed and comprised of mainlyminority (African American, latino, and African refugee) populations. MCA programming allows youth and young adults to learn,recreate, and earn income while gaining valuable workforce development experience. One of MCA's main geographic focus is theLower Mill Creek Watershed in the City of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Public School District. With in the lower Mill Creek watershed,MCA is working in collaboration with five economically distressed and historically underserved Mill Creek neighborhoods that have ahigh percentage of African Americans and urban Appalachians. They include South Cumminsville, Northside, Spring Grove Village,Roselawn and Winton Hills. Between forty and sixty percent of the residents in these neighborhoods live below the poverty line. InWinton Hills and South Cumminsville, for example, the median household income is $10,849 and $15,357 respectively. Historically,the Mill Creek corridor has suffered from economic disinvestment; blighted conditions; brownfields; poor environmental design thatdiscourages walking and biking; a lack of full-service grocery stores; and damaged natural resources. To help alleviate the issues thatthese communities have traditionally faced, lack of education, job readiness, and technical skills, MCA's Green Corps workforcedevelopment program helps young adults from these communities and other like them throughout the Mill Creek valley with newpathways to careers. By connecting residents with jobs that are not traditionally pursued by applicants in the urban core such asenvironmental services industry jobs. The trainings and certificates offered by this program will produce well-rounded applicants thatcould apply to jobs in a variety of fields. The creation of the Blue Team within the Green Corps program will expand on the NationalGreen Infrastructure Certification Program, pesticide applicator license and other certifications and hands-on experience offered by theprogram. With the Blue Team concentrating on water quality sampling, testing, and laboratory science, a new realm of opportunitiesand environmental careers becomes available. The Blue Team will allow for the Green Corps to create a much more well-roundedyoung adult who will be even more prepared to find and succeed in the green workforce of the future.

Qualification:The Mill Creek Alliance (MCA) is a dynamic nonprofit with a successful 24 year track record. In 2011 the USEPA, River Network andGroundwork USA appointed MCA, then the Mill Creek Restoration Project, as one of ten National Urban Waters Fellows. In 2012Groundwork USA, USEPA and the National Park Service approved the nonprofit as a new Groundwork Trust named GroundworkCincinnati - Mill Creek. In July 2018, Groundwork Cincinnati merged with another Mill Creek Watershed organization, The Mill CreekWatershed Council of Communities, to form the Mill Creek Alliance. Both of those organizations approached the restoration of the MillCreek with vigor and passion, albeit in different manifestations. The Council approached this task from a hardscape physicalengineering perspective whereas Groundwork approached it from the educational and social/environmental justice perspective. Thisnew organization brings together two pinnacle watershed organizations to further the advocacy, education and restoration of MillCreek and the communities surrounding it. Jobs in conservation and environmental services are not always apparent to urbanresidents. MCA believes that this program would connect trainees to agencies that have growing hiring demands, need qualifiedapplicants, and are motivated to increase workforce diversity. Through the program's key personnel, the goals of continuing to monitorand collect data on the health of the Mill Creek as well as equipping the next generation of young adults with the skills necessary forjobs and careers in the new green workforce can be met. Alan Edwards will be the Project Manager for this initiative. His backgroundincludes three years of environmental education as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa and as the Mill Creek Alliances Director ofEducation for 2 years. He has a B.A. from Miami University in Environmental Science and History and a Master of CommunityPlanning degree from the University of Cincinnati. Tanner Yess, Deputy Director and Program Manager, received his B.S. fromNorthern Kentucky University, has a Masters of Community Planning degree from the University of Cincinnati and served as a PeaceCorps Volunteer for two years in Thailand. He created and oversees MCA's Green Corps workforce development program. Dr. MikeMiller would assist with the water chemistry training at a OEPA Level 2 certification, himself a Level III Chemist. He has over 40 years'experience teaching water chemistry in his Limnology Laboratory and performing water chemistry across the world in field andlaboratory conditions on research projects and 10 years' experience directing the Citizens Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programfor Rivers Unlimited. Katie Keller, Educator and Administrator,holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Agroecology . She has spent over15 years in experiential education and has extensive lab research experience. She coordinates Mill Creek Alliance's Citizen WaterQuality Monitoring Program.

Continuation and Replication Plan:After the completion of the first year of this new program, the Mill Creek Alliance will continue to test for the new parameters, utilize thenew data recording techniques, integrate Blue Team members further into the program, and incorporate interns from the University ofCincinnati into the program. The Mill Creek Alliance's (MCA) collaboration with the Butler County Storm Water District allows forcontinued funding stability for the program. MCA will continue to provide a thorough framework of water chemistry that meets thestandards of the Ohio Credible Data Law (Level II) after the end of this project as it has done for the last five years.. Data collection willcontinue to serve as an exemplary resource for connecting residents to the watershed, and educating the community on theimportance of protecting their shared water resource. Long-term data collection will also contribute to region-specific data forenvironmental and economic improvements. The monitoring program will also continue to develop relationships with watershedstakeholders and experts that will help achieve the goal of a restored Mill Creek, and further engage community involvement inrecreation, education, and economic vitality. The University of Cincinnati's Environmental Studies program has been an integralpartner to MCA over the past several years and new collaborations arise yearly. This relationship will continue as we offer students aunique opportunity to gain hands-on experience both in the field and in the lab for course credit. Butler County Storm Water District'scontinued support of this program through the use of their lab, staff volunteers, and gaining a tangible product in the water quality datacollected at a Ohio EPA Qualified Data Collector Level 2 status, will allow this program to continue and grow.

Budget Narrative:The program is requesting $29,341.07 in OEEF funding. The Mill Creek Alliance will use $10,046.91 of the funds to pay salary for staffmembers Alan Edwards and Katie Keller to manage and help run the water quality monitoring program throughout the year. This willtotal 135 hours for both at $26.86/hr and $21.85/hr respectively, totaling $6,575.85. For the Blue Team employees, both Blue TeamLeader and member, will work 102 hours each, sampling and testing for the Mill Creek program at $17.83/hr and $16.20/hrrespectively, totaling $3,471.06. All of the supplies requested in the grant are the consumables necessary to both run the tests fornitrates, phosphorous, bacteria, conductivity, turbidity, chlorophyll, optical brighteners, and pH at Butler County's water quality lab andalso collect the samples in the field. These supplies are detailed in the budget and will total $5,853.35 to supply the program for theentire year. The equipment requested is for a number of new initiatives as well as to increase the abilities of the volunteer samplers.We are incorporating two new testing parameters, optical brighteners and chlorophyll, which require a AquaFluor HandheldFluorometer and Turbidimeter which costs $1,500. Also in the lab, a new MultiLab IDS 4310 Conductivity and Temperature Sensor,costing $365, will be purchased to replace the aging one currently being used. The eleven volunteer sampler groups will be given aHanna Instruments pH/Conductivity/TDS High-RangeTester, at $150 each totaling $1,650, to run instant tests in the field. New coolerswill also be purchased from the grant funds issued to the sampling teams for transporting samples from the field sites to the lab,costing $25 each and totaling $275. The largest purchase from the equipment category is the purchase of 2 YSI Professional SeriesProfessional Plus Kit at $3,097, totaling $6,194. These meters are standard for most university and professional sampling field stationsacross the country. They will be used by the Blue Team and University Interns to run instant tests in the field for comparison to thetests being run in the lab. Learning how to calibrate, maintain, sample, and test in the field with these probes will give them crucialexperience that will boost their hands-on experience. The grant funds will also be used to purchase 2 YSI Nitrate (ISE) Sensors for theYSI meters to mimic the tests run back in the lab. The grant will also fund printing data collection sheets and informational materials formeetings and presentations as well as poster printing and postcard mailers for events. This will total $1,044.81 and will allow for theinformation collected from the sampling, testing and correlating of the data to be presented to the public in varied forums and intangible formats. The grant will also use $800 for Other Costs in mileage reimbursement at the standard government rate for stafftraveling between sampling sites, the office and Butler County's water quality laboratory. The last item the grant will fund is $80.00 forAdministrative, which will be used for paying for the Adobe Creative Suite software which will be used to create final reports by thecollege interns and to create posters to visualize the data collected over the course of the year.

Project Objectives and Associated Activities & Outcome MeasurementsObjective Title: Update Mill Creek Sample Testing

Objective Description:Many improvement projects have been implemented in the Mill Creek watershed by a variety of entities. Since 1992, water quality, asindexed by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's (Ohio EPA) biocriteria, has shown marked improvement. We believe this trendwill continue as long as the watershed's key stakeholders continue efforts to improve the stream and its tributaries non-point sourcepollution source impacts and natural habitat. We need consistent quality data to quantify the effectiveness of specific projects andpolicy changes in achieving water quality and habitat benefits. We need a continuous comprehensive quality set of chemistry and flowdata specific to the Mill Creek Watershed that will provide us with a baseline to understand, at the watershed scale, how investmentsin water quality improvement pay off.The Mill Creek Alliance (MCA) seeks to provide a thorough framework of water chemistry that meets the standards of the OhioCredible Data Law (Level II). Data collection will serve as an exemplary resource for connecting residents to the watershed, andeducating the community on the importance of protecting their shared water resource. Long-term data collection will also contribute toregion-specific data for environmental and economic improvements. The monitoring program also seeks to develop relationships withwatershed stakeholders and experts that will help achieve the goal of a restored Mill Creek, and further engage communityinvolvement in recreation, education, and economic vitality.The program will adopt two new parameters for the program to test for. By adding the tests for Chlorophyll and Optical Brightness, theprogram will be brought in line with the other sampling programs (Little Miami, Lower Great Miami, and Upper Great Miami) that arehoused on StreamBank, a powerful tool that contains standardized data and interactive graphing/reporting features to customizeselections and cross query data sets. By becoming in line with the other sampling programs on StreamBank, we build a stronger dataset for the communities throughout the watershed and region. This allows for students, educators, elected officials, and regulators toeasily access the data collected to get a precise estimate of the levels of these different parameters.

Activity Title: Training of Lab Technicians

Start Date: 02/09/2019 End Date: 02/23/2019 % of Budget: 5.0%

Activity Description:Every year the Mill Creek Alliance, in conjunction with Butler County Storm Water District, hosts a series of training's for newvolunteer lab technicians. This year MCA will conduct a new training for all lab technicians, as well as new volunteers, to updatethem on the new procedure for the Chlorophyll and Optical Brightness. This will take place at the same time as the training onthe updated lab procedure for recording the test results. Using iPads that MCA has in house, the program will begin inputting thetest results directly into the ArcGIS system so as to streamline the process of data collection.

Outcome Title: Correct Laboratory and Testing Procedure

Initial Outcome:The Initial outcome will be the ability to successfully run the tests that are run every second Saturday for the nine monthsthe program is conducting testing. By staging a simple mock sampling session, with the results predetermined, the abilityof the tester to conduct the tests in the lab can be analyzed.

Long-Term Effects:The long term effects of this are the ability to expand the volunteer base of lab technicians that help the Mill Creek Alliancesuccessfully run sampling throughout the year.

Activity Title: Monthly Water Quality Sampling


Activity Description:Provide residents of the Mill Creek watershed with an outlet for hands-on participation in water quality issues on a monthlybasis. Personnel will prepare and implement a day of water quality sampling and analysis each month. Volunteers will beemailed a reminder the week of the sampling and analysis day, and all materials will be prepared in advance. Training's on theproper technique for taking water samples will be given at the beginning of the season for the different teams of samplers.Interested volunteers will also have an opportunity to learn how to run one of the labs eight stations: nitrates, phosphorous,bacteria, conductivity, turbidity, chlorophyll, optical whiteners, or pH.

Outcome Title: Water Quality Monitoring Outcomes

Initial Outcome:30 citizens will participate in water quality monitoring and lab analysis on the second Saturday of each month, Marchthrough November, with between 50 and 75 citizens having participated in monthly sampling and analysis over the courseof the program year.

Long-Term Effects:Participants will develop ties to the waters they collect and evaluate creating a sense of responsibility for local waterquality. Volunteers will also have a better understanding of the issues that affect local water quality and will make moreinformed decisions regarding best management practices.

Objective Title: Creation of Blue Team within the Mill Creek Alliance's Green Corps Program

Objective Description:Within the Mill Creek Alliances (MCA) Green Corps workforce development program there is not currently any scientific analysis froma laboratory and sampling perspective. The program was created in 2017 to foster young adults who had graduated from MCA'sGreen Team summer youth employment program to focus on green, conservation and environmental service careers. MCA's GreenCorps's goal is to combat poverty by connecting city residents to jobs in the environmental industry. MCA can open new pathways tocareers by connecting residents with jobs that are not traditionally pursued by applicants in the urban core. In addition to theenvironmental services industry, the training and certificates offered by this program will produce well-rounded applicants that couldapply to jobs in a variety of fields. Training for Green Corps focuses on Green Infrastructure construction, inspection, and maintenancecertification through the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP), pesticide applicator licensure, and native plantidentification. Green Corps focuses on assisting applicants in obtaining industry specific certifications and training, on the job trainingthrough MCA landscaping and restoration projects, and job readiness including resume building, interview skills, and applying for jobs.The creation of the new Blue Team within the Green Corps program will create a new avenue for local youth to achieve certificationand skills necessary to pursue careers not traditionally pursued by applicants in the urban core. Through surface water chemistrycertification from Dr. Mike Miller, Blue Team members will be able to gain valuable skills and experiences to open doors to new anddifferent careers than the standard Green Corps programming.

Activity Title: Orientation of Blue Team/University of Cincinnati Interns


Activity Description:Every year the Mill Creek Alliance, in conjunction with Butler County Storm Water District, hosts a series of training's for newvolunteer lab technicians. This year MCA will conduct a new training for the Blue Team and University of Cincinnati interns totrain them on the test procedures necessary to participate in the water quality monitoring program as well as the samplingprocedure necessary to collect samples in the filed. This will take place at the same time as the training on the updated labprocedure for recording the test results. Using iPads that MCA has in house, the program will begin inputting the test resultsdirectly into the ArcGIS system so as to streamline the process of data collection. All of this will serve as an introduction to theprogram as well as a time to schedule the year/semester for the Blue Team/Interns.



Long-Term Effects:The long term effects of this are the ability to expand the volunteer base of lab technicians that help the Mill Creek Alliancesuccessfully run sampling throughout the year. It will also allow the Blue Team and Interns the ability to successfullycomplete their participation in the year/semester program.

Activity Title: Blue Team Sampling and Testing on Second Saturdays


Activity Description:The Blue Team will spend the year working with different sampling teams throughout the watershed to familiarize themselveswith the watershed as a whole. This will allow them to interact with the wide range of samplers on different teams so as to learnabout different careers and opportunities within the Environmental Field. While normal samplers collect their samples and dropthem off in the morning at the lab, Blue Team members will stay and conduct the lab tests. This will give them the ability tobecome familiar with the lab procedure as well as to interact and learn from the volunteer lab technicians about Environmentalcareers and opportunities. The testing will also allow them to understand and participate in a laboratory setting where they haveto follow set procedures and handling techniques.



Long-Term Effects:Fostering a sense of scientific involvement in the greater environmental scientific community. The exposure to thescientific process in the laboratory and sampling procedure in the field will allow for a introduction and mastery of basiclaboratory protocol and sampling procedure. This will also instill a sense of ability within the Blue Team through theirmastery of basic scientific protocol to inspire their participation in further scientific endeavors.

Activity Title: University of Cincinnati Intern Sampling and Testing


Activity Description:University of Cincinnati interns will spend the semester working with different sampling teams throughout the watershed tofamiliarize themselves with the watershed as a whole. They will participate in water quality monitoring and lab analysis on thesecond Saturday of each month, March through May. This will allow them to interact with the wide range of samplers ondifferent teams so as to learn about different careers and opportunities within the Environmental Field. While normal samplerscollect their samples and drop them off in the morning at the lab, interns will stay and conduct the lab tests. This will give themthe ability to become familiar with the lab procedure as well as to interact and learn from the volunteer lab technicians aboutEnvironmental careers and opportunities. The testing will also allow them to understand and participate in a laboratory settingwhere they have to follow set procedures and handling techniques.



Long-Term Effects:Fostering a sense of scientific involvement in the greater environmental scientific community. The exposure to thescientific process in the laboratory and sampling procedure in the field will allow for a introduction and mastery of basiclaboratory protocol and sampling procedure. This will also instill a sense of ability through their mastery of basic scientificprotocol to inspire their participation in further scientific endeavors.

Activity Title: Final Report Creation


Activity Description:At the end of their time working with the Mill Creek Alliance the interns from the University of Cincinnati will compile a reportdocumenting their participation in the program, detailing the importance of the program and the results gathered from the testingover their time in the program. This report will serve as the first step in the creation of a larger annual report created at the endof the year to release for the general public.

Outcome Title: Final Report Creation

Initial Outcome:The creation of the Final Report from their participation in the internship program with the Mill Creek Water QualityMonitoring Program.

Long-Term Effects:The bringing together of the data from all the sampling sites will create a better appreciation of the watershed and itsimportance to communities in Cincinnati. Training the interns in the adobe suit software will equip them with a verymarketable skill going forward, while also helping to create the framework for the annual report on water quality to bereleased at the State of the Mill Creek Address.

Objective Title: Compilation of Mill Creek Water Quality Data and Outreach to General Public

Objective Description:Over the course of the nine months of data collection an idea of the health of the Mill Creek becomes apparent. At the beginning of thesampling season in March, the compilation of the past year will be presented to citizens, regulators, students, and the community atlarge through our State of the Mill Creek address. Through presenting the Mill Creek water quality data from the past year, theprogram is able to lay a marker for the current year and to analyze the trends over the past several years. It is these meetings thatallow for a thorough understanding of the raw data that was collected over the course of the year. Without the compilation andpresentation, much of the collected data in its raw form is hard to understand to the average citizen or students. While regulators andeducators have a understanding of the raw data collected, the purpose of the program is to disseminate information to the entirecommunity in an effort to better understand the health of the watershed. Increasing public awareness of nutrient loading, pulse flows,soil erosion and other environmental impacts as well as best management practices for minimizing these impacts is a main goal of thisprogram as well as increasing awareness of our program and its role in water quality.

Activity Title: State of the Mill Creek Address


Activity Description:This activity will bring together the different stakeholders involved throughout the watershed to learn about the state of the MillCreek over the previous year. Through presenting the collected data that has been compiled by Dr. Miller, a clearerunderstanding of the raw data from the previous year can be drawn. This activity serves to highlight different restoration projectsthat are ongoing throughout the watershed that have effects on the overall water quality and to draw correlations between theiremergence and the surrounding water quality. The presentation will include evaluation of water quality trends throughout theyear and previous five years, as well as comparison of pollution parameters at various sites throughout the Mill Creek and itstributaries. The forum will also feature a question and answer session, so that attendees will have the opportunity to askquestions on program data and general water quality issues. Physical invitations for the public forum will go out to over 500recipients, including the mailing list of the Mill Creek Alliance and the Butler County Storm Water District. Invitations to the dataforum are also sent to trustees of local municipalities and other stakeholders in the health of the Mill Creek watershed.

Outcome Title: Compilation of Data

Initial Outcome:Work products that will be submitted to the director will be all data in the acceptable and preferred manner by Ohio EPA.Chemical data will be entered into an excel spreadsheet and online database. The State of the Mill Creek will be thepresentation of this data for the general public, allowing for dissemination of the results found.

Long-Term Effects:The continuation of the collection of Mill Creek water health data, allowing for an analysis of the change in the watersoverall health from year to year.

Activity Title: Volunteer Engagement Event


Activity Description:Through engaging with the volunteers that have been active in the field collecting samples and observing the watershed for ayear, the program is able to adapt and make changes on sampling locations and best management practices. Through thisevent we are able to bring all of the sampler teams together to rearrange sample teams and to inventory who is still active aswell as integrate new volunteers into the existing sampling teams.

Outcome Title: Streamlining Sampling and Lab Volunteers Event

Initial Outcome:Rearranging the sampling teams so there are enough volunteers for the sample sites as well as introducing newvolunteers to the sampling team as a whole. Having the laboratory volunteers interact with all the sampling volunteersallows for a better understanding of the sites that the lab technicians are testing. Participants will complete a survey aboutthe current year, identifying potential new sites, team dynamic and logistical issues, as well as general feedback on theprogram.

Long-Term Effects:This event helps with engaging the volunteers in the efforts of the other sampling sites within the watershed as well ascreating a larger team sentiment. This engagement allows for a seamless transition for team members that phase outwhile keeping the sampling and laboratory teams at full capacity to keep the program running. The creation of the surveywill allow the Mill Creek Alliance to gauge the programs effectiveness at engaging the concerns of the citizen volunteers.

Activity Title: Outreach to General Public through Mill Creek Alliance Events


Activity Description:The Mill Creek Yacht Club hosts clean ups and floats on the Mill Creek once a month for the duration of their season, 6 monthsstarting in May. The Mill Creek Alliance also participates in presentations and other outreach initiatives throughout the regionand country to promote the efforts on the Mill Creek (Paddlefest, Great Parks Kids Expo, Greater Cincinnati EnvironmentalEducators Forum, Groundwork USA National Assembly, Presentations at REI, Presentations at Roads Rivers and Trails, andGreater Cincinnati Sustainability Summit).

Outcome Title: Public Awareness and Outreach

Initial Outcome:On average 20 citizens attend the Mill Creek Yacht Club outings, with 20-50 citizens attending presentations, and otherMill Creek Alliance outreach initiatives to learn about the health of the Mill Creek watershed in both Hamilton and ButlerCounty.

Long-Term Effects:Public awareness will be increased regarding the health of the Mill Creek watershed in both Hamilton and Butler County,its sources of impairment and practices that influence its water quality. Participation in all of these events can bemeasured through sign-in sheets and email list sign-ups.

Activity Title: Outreach through data availability on StreamBank Online


Activity Description:StreamBank, a powerful tool that contains standardized data and interactive graphing/ reporting features to customize selectionsand cross query data sets, is a collaborative effort created by the four local watershed groups in the TriState and is supported bythese regional volunteer stream monitoring organizations. Hosting our data here allows for a wider dissemination of the resultswhile also allowing for a cross comparison to the other watersheds in the tristate region. A rating system has also beenimplemented across the four regional groups hosted on StreamBank to create a user-friendly map of our local waterways health.Each segment of waterway tested is color-coded according to its ratings across the 6 main parameters, conductivity, turbidity,pH, nitrates, phosphorus, and bacteria. This allows the average citizen to get a sense of water quality with an easy tounderstand visual reference.

Outcome Title: Outreach from StreamBank

Initial Outcome:StreamBank has a combined 300+ sites from the four major volunteer water sampling groups in the TriState regionpresenting the data in a user-friendly GIS-based platform. As a coordinated volunteer monitoring base we reach out tomany potential users as well as our local volunteers. This is a new level of sophistication for volunteer groups achievingwatershed-wide coverage of targeted drainages. We believe we are leader in this expansion of volunteer monitoring, shortof watersheds that have direct agency support (e.g. Chesapeake Bay).

Long-Term Effects:Long-term there will be increased awareness from the everyday citizen in the watershed as well as from elected officialsand regulatory agents of the impairments and actions taken by citizens to reduce pulse flows, nutrient loading and soilerosion, improving the quality of the water and the quality of life. Outcomes can be measured in the number of websitehits, the number of "followers" in social media, and the number of sign-ups for email.

Budget SummaryCategory OEEF Grant % Total OEEF Grant Amount Applicant Match Total

A.1. Salary or Wages 34.0 $10,046.91 $20,788.98 $30,835.89

A.2. Benefits 0.0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

A.3. Substitute Teachers 0.0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

B.1. Supplies 20.0 $5,853.35 $0.00 $5,853.35

B.2. Equipment 37.0 $10,716.00 $10,190.00 $20,906.00

B.3. Printing 4.0 $1,044.81 $0.00 $1,044.81

B.4. Other Costs 3.0 $800.00 $0.00 $800.00

C.1. Contractual 0.0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00

D.1. Administrative 3.0 $880.00 $12,100.00 $12,980.00

Total Budget $29,341.07 $43,078.98 $72,420.05

A.1. Salary or Wages

Employee Name Title Grant # ofHours

GrantHourlyRate

Matching #of Hours

MatchingHourlyRate

GrantAnnualSalary

Grant % ofSalary

MatchingAnnualSalary

Matching% of

Salary

OEEFGrant

Amount

ApplicantMatchingAmount

Volunteer Samplers Volunteer 0 $0.00 432 $24.69 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 $10,666.08

Dr. Mike Miller WQM Trainer and DataCompiler

0 $0.00 50 $24.69 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 $1,234.50

University of CincinnatiIntern

Intern 2 0 $0.00 180 $24.69 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 $4,444.20

Alan Edwards Director of Education 135 $26.86 0 $0.00 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 0.0 $3,626.10 $0.00

Katie Keller Program Director 135 $21.85 0 $0.00 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 0.0 $2,949.75 $0.00

Sophie Revis Blue Team Leader 102 $17.83 0 $0.00 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 0.0 $1,818.66 $0.00

Aristotle Buie Blue Team Member 102 $16.20 0 $0.00 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 0.0 $1,652.40 $0.00

University of CincinnatiIntern

Intern 1 0 $0.00 180 $24.69 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 0.0 $0.00 $4,444.20

Subtotal: $10,046.91 $20,788.98

B.1. SuppliesSupplies Description Quantity Unit Price OEEF Grant Amount Applicant Matching Amount

Colilert 24hr media (200 tests) 2 $736.55 $1,473.10 $0.00

Rope (per ft.) 50 $0.58 $29.00 $0.00

125mL Sampling Bottles (12pk) 10 $29.45 $294.50 $0.00

120mL vessel (200) 2 $134.39 $268.78 $0.00

Nitrogen-Nitrate Standard Solution, 100mg/L 5 $24.99 $124.95 $0.00

Microflex® US-220 UltraSense Nitrile Examination Glove,Powder-Free, 3.1 mil, Textured Fingertips, Blue - 100/Box,10 Boxes/Case - Large

10 $11.50 $115.00 $0.00

3 Gallon Bucket 4 $4.00 $16.00 $0.00

Eppendorf Bio Tools 022492080 Eppendorf epTIPS PipetTips, TIPS PIPET EPI 0.1-5ML CS500-CS (Purple)

1 $121.18 $121.18 $0.00

Eppendorf Bio Tools 022492071 Eppendorf® epTIPS®Pipet Tips, EPTIPS BULK 0.5-2.5ML CS500-CS (Red)

1 $86.25 $86.25 $0.00

HACH Total Phosphorus Test N Tube Reagent Set (50tests)

8 $70.55 $564.40 $0.00

Microflex® US-220 UltraSense Nitrile Examination Glove,Powder-Free, 3.1 mil, Textured Fingertips, Blue - 100/Box,10 Boxes/Case - Small

10 $11.50 $115.00 $0.00

Quanti-tray 2000 (100) 4 $208.26 $833.04 $0.00

Phosphate Standard Solution 5 $25.65 $128.25 $0.00

Eppendorf Bio Tools 022492039 Eppendorf® epTIPS®Pipet Tips, TIPS PIPET QLTY 2-200UL CS1000-CS(Yellow)

1 $69.45 $69.45 $0.00

Microflex® US-220 UltraSense Nitrile Examination Glove,Powder-Free, 3.1 mil, Textured Fingertips, Blue - 100/Box,10 Boxes/Case - Medium

10 $11.50 $115.00 $0.00

HACH NitraVer Test B Tube Reagent Set (25 test) 16 $41.85 $669.60 $0.00

pH probe, Glass, 3 mol KCL, digital, double junction, 1.5m 1 $325.00 $325.00 $0.00

250mL Sampling Bottles (12pk) 10 $43.05 $430.50 $0.00

Eppendorf Bio Tools 022492055 Eppendorf® epTIPS®Pipet Tips, PIPET TIP BLK 50-1000UL CS1000-CS (Blue)

1 $74.35 $74.35 $0.00

Subtotal: $5,853.35 $0.00

B.2. EquipmentEquipment Description Quantity Unit Price OEEF Grant Amount Applicant Matching Amount

YSI Nitrate (ISE) Sensor 2 $365.00 $732.00 $0.00

Hanna Instruments pH/Conductivity/TDS High-RangeTester

11 $150.00 $1,650.00 $0.00

YSI MultiLab 4010-2 1 $1,490.00 $0.00 $1,490.00

iPads 5 $300.00 $0.00 $1,500.00

Coolers for Transporting Water Samples 10 $25.00 $275.00 $0.00

HACH DR3900 Spectrophotometer 1 $6,000.00 $0.00 $6,000.00

YSI Professional Series Professional Plus Kit 2 $3,097.00 $6,194.00 $0.00

MultiLab IDS 4310 Conductivity and Temperature Sensor 1 $365.00 $365.00 $0.00

AquaFluor Handheld Fluorometer and Turbidimeter 1 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $0.00

2100Q Turbimeter 1 $1,200.00 $0.00 $1,200.00

Subtotal: $10,716.00 $10,190.00

B.3. PrintingPrinting Description Rate Description OEEF Grant Amount Applicant Matching Amount

Printing Data Collection Sheets andInformational Sheets

$0.11 per color print job X 1,771 copies $194.81 $0.00

Post Card Printing and Mailing 1000 @ $0.60 $600.00 $0.00

Poster Printing $50/poster X 5 posters $250.00 $0.00

Subtotal: $1,044.81 $0.00

B.4. Other CostsOther Costs Description OEEF Grant Amount Applicant Matching Amount

Mileage Reimbursements $800.00 $0.00

Subtotal: $800.00 $0.00

D.1. AdministrativeAdministrative Description OEEF Grant Amount Applicant Matching Amount

Adobe Software (yearly subscription) $880.00 $0.00

ArcGIS Desktop Subscription $0.00 $100.00

Office and Storage Space $0.00 $12,000.00

Subtotal: $880.00 $12,100.00

Applicant ContactContact Type: Other Job Title: Executive Director

Name: David Joseph SchmittPrimary Phone: (859) 391-3214 Primary Fax:Primary Email: [email protected]

Primary Address: 1662 Blue Rock Street, Cincinnati, OH 45223Alternate Phone: Alternate Fax:Alternate Email:

Alternate Address:Alternate Start Date: Alternate End Date:

Contact Type: Project Director Job Title: Director of EducationName: Alan Edwards

Primary Phone: (513) 731-8400 Primary Fax:Primary Email: [email protected]



Contact Type: Fiscal Agent Job Title: Administrative SpecialistName: Katie Keller




Contact Type: Authorizing Agent Job Title: Executive DirectorName: David Joseph Schmitt




Amy Townsend-Small, Ph. D. Director, Environmental Studies Program College of Arts and Sciences University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 45221 605 Geology-Physics Bldg. (513) 556-3762 [email protected]

Caroline Watkins Ohio EPA Office of Environmental Education July 15, 2018 Dear Ms. Watkins, I’m writing to express my strong support for the application for the Mill Creek’s Alliance Ohio Environmental Education Fund grant, and the Mill Creek Alliance Water Quality Education and Monitoring Program. If funded, my department will be collaborating with this group by allowing student interns to work on the Mill Creek Water Quality Education and Monitoring Program. I am the Director of the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Cincinnati. The Environmental Studies program is an interdisciplinary undergraduate major which encompasses aspects of the natural sciences, social sciences (such as environmental policy and social justice), and humanities (including environmental ethics, writing, and history). We are one of the top 10 most popular majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, and growing, with over 200 majors and minors. Although not required, many of our students choose to do internships and/or volunteer for academic credit or service hours with local environmental groups, and the Mill Creek Alliance is one of our most important partners. In turn, this helps our students get valuable real-world experience that prepares them for life post-graduation. If this project were to be funded, University of Cincinnati Environmental Studies students would serve as both samplers and laboratory technicians for the program. This would provide them with some hands-on experience in a real world setting for both watershed management, water quality sampling and testing. They would also be trained as a level 2 surface water chemist, which will be a great credential for these students. At the end of the program they would compile a report on the scientific data they have collected, and this would be suitable for presentation at our annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at University of Cincinnati: another great credential for our students. I hope you will consider funding this amazing opportunity for young people in southwestern Ohio. Sincerely,

Amy Townsend-Small

Caroline Watkins Ohio EPA Office of Environmental Education July 16, 2018

Dear Ms. Watkins,

I am writing to express my support and intent to collaborate on the proposed Mill Creek Alliance Water Quality Education and Monitoring program. In particular, I would take primary responsibility for training Blue Team workforce development employees in OEPA Level 2 Chemical Water Quality Assessment.

I currently hold OEPA level 3 Chemical Water Quality Assessment certification and intend to gain certification as a trainer. I have over 40 years’ experience teaching water chemistry in a Limnology Laboratory and performing water chemistry research all over the world in field and laboratory conditions. I also have10 years’ experience directing the Citizens Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program for Rivers Unlimited.

The lessons for program participants would be broken into the following parts:

1. Introduction to water chemistry by volunteers at the University of Cincinnati Center for Field Studies on the 2nd Saturday sampling event.

2. Hands- on analysis with instrumentation during a water quality laboratory session with trained volunteers and myself, including practice using meters for conductivity, pH, turbidity, in vivo chlorophyll and optical whiteners.

3. Lesson on the basis of colorimetric methods using absorbance spectrophotometry, the importance of standards and blanks, the use of field and laboratory duplicates, the use of spiked samples for QA/QC compliance, regression techniques for standard series, excel spreadsheet analysis and data storage.

4. Hands-on analysis of colorimetric tests for total P and Nitrate-N with trained volunteers, including instrumentation, chemistry, standards and blanks.

5. Hand-on lesson in quality assurance and quality controls, including duplicates from the field, in the lab, spiked sample recovery, dish washing methods, and laboratory education.

6. Each student will be given a set of samples to do complete analysis and calculate the concentration using a laboratory guide sheet to follow.

This preparation, over a number of weeks, will give these students the experience and knowledge be able to be certified as level 2 water chemists.

We have permission from Dr. David Lentz, Director of the University of Cincinnati Field Station to conduct the laboratory training there using the equipment and supplies of Rivers Unlimited, Inc. that coordinates the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring for the lower Great Miami River watershed at that facility.

Sincerely yours,

Michael C. Miller, Professor Emeritus Depart. Of Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies Program Vice President of Rivers Unlimited, Inc. and Friends of the Great Miami Board of Supervisors, Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District Green Umbrella Watershed Group member.

OEEF Grant Staff ChecklistApplication #: F-19G015 Organization Name: Mill Creek Alliance

Application Type: GeneralGrant Project Title: Mill Creek Alliance Water Quality Education andMonitoring

A. Overall

1. Yes Project eligible?

2. Not selected Project meets which of OEEF's Educational Priorities: Other Environmental Education Projects

3. Yes Organization eligible?

4. JM Initials of staff member who provided pre-review, if any

Overall Comments:

Points awarded for Match, Collaboration and Support. Proposal meets the Environmental Career priority. A specific mileage reimbursement rate isn't

listed, but the request is not unreasonable.

B. Application Cover Sheet

5. Yes Collaborators identified on cover sheet appear to be correct based on their role as described in the proposal

Comments: Letters are provided by all collaborator listed.

6. Yes Time lines and start date are realistic and consistent with OEEF Guidelines

Comments: Not entered

7. Yes Grant duration 30 months or less

8. Yes Audience identified by applicant is correct for the project. If not, re-assign to audience: Not selected

9. 0 points Under-served Audience: Award 10 extra points if the proposed project targets a regulated community primary audience.

10. Yes List of counties identified by applicant appears correct based on activities in project description


11. 0 points Under-served Counties: Award 5 points if the applicant organization is located in (OR all the proposed activities will take

place in) a county/counties that OEEF has defined as under-served (i.e., where fewer than two grants have been

awarded). Award 3 points if some of the proposed activities will take place in counties that OEEF has defined as under-

served.

12. No Is this a revision of a previous application? (check last 2 cycles) If yes, OEEF ID#: Not entered

13. Yes Has applicant previously received OEEF grant(s)? If yes, OEEF ID#: S14G-034, S17G-043

14. No Was previous grant awarded in the past twelve months?

15. Yes Is any previous grant still open?

Yes If yes, is previous grant likely to close before the Council meeting for this current grant cycle?

C. Audience Categories and Project Issues

16. Comment if applicant appears to have made assignments in error


D. Contact Information

17. Yes One person is not serving in all 3 roles (director, fiscal, authorizing)


E. Project Description - Overall

18. Yes Project does not include political advocacy

19. Not selected Project includes adequate safeguards for any potentially dangerous activities

20. Not selected If this is a K-12 formal education project, it includes specific examples or a satisfactory explanation of the process that will

be used to align student learning activities with New Learning Standards


F. Budget Narrative

21. Yes Itemized detail is provided

22. Yes Figures are accurate

G. Budget Spreadsheet

Personnel

23. Yes Salary

24. Not selected Benefits: Explanation of how calculated and % used for fringe.

25. Not selected Stipends or Substitute: OEEF is not asked to pay for both for the same teacher for the same day

Comments on Personnel section of budget:

Not entered

Non-Personnel

26. Yes Supplies: Identified, grouped, unit priced, and totaled

27. Yes Equipment: Itemized, grouped, unit priced and totaled

28. Yes Printing: Itemized, # of copies, unit price, and totaled

29. No Other: Categorized, method of calculation, and totaled

Comments on Non-Personnel section of budget:

Mileage rate is not included.

Contractual

30. Not selected Name of party, organization, # of hours, hourly wage, total

31. Not selected The combination of Personnel and Contractual costs does not exceed 35% of the budget. (If it does, add comment and

note percentage)

Comments on Contractual section of budget:

Not entered

32. Yes There are no ineligible expenses

33. Yes There is no unacceptable pass-through of grant funds to a third party

34. Yes Overall, expenses are reasonable (if questionable, add comment)


35. 5 points Award five extra points if the applicant (with their collaborators) has provided a strong, well-documented cash or in-kind

match that greatly exceeds 10% of the funds requested from OEEF. (Do not assign extra points for less than a 50% match)


H. Letters of Collaboration and Support

36. No Collaboration does not appear to be needed for this project to succeed


37. Yes If the project is collaborative, documentation letters have been received from all, partial or none of the collaborators

38. 5 points Award five extra points for projects with very strong, well-documented collaboration


39. 5 points Award five extra points if the applicant has provided documentation of support for the project from members or appropriate

representatives of the target audience. (Letters or applications from teachers of the targeted grade level will meet this

criteria for the pre-school to university audience. Letters or applications from an established trade or professional

association will meet this criteria for the regulated community audience.)

Comments: UC-Blue Ash will collaborate and support the project.

40. Not selected Attachments, if any, are relevant to the applicant's ability to successfully complete the proposed project

41. Not selected Other


Checklist completed: Yes Total Points Awarded: 15 out of 30

OEEF Grant Reviewer Score Sheet with CommentsApplication #: F-19G015 Organization Name: Mill Creek Alliance

Grant Type: GeneralGrant Project Title: Mill Creek Alliance Water Quality Education andMonitoring

Primary Target Audience: Pre-school to University Application Status: Scoring Complete

Reviewer 1

A. Audience Need (up to 20 points)Points

Awarded

Maximum

Score

1. The target audience is well described. 5 5

2. The need is a documented need of the target audience, not the applicant/provider organization. 5 5

3. The need for the project was determined in a valid way. 5 5

4. Meeting this need will yield substantial benefits to the target audience. 5 5

20 20

Reviewer Comments on Need Statement:

Not entered

B. Organizational Qualifications (up to 10 points)Points

Awarded

Maximum

Score

1. The applicant organization and/or its collaborators are experienced and well-qualified to work with this audience. 5 5

2. The applicant organization and/or its collaborators have appropriate expertise to conduct this project and ensure that the

project information is scientifically valid and unbiased.

5 5

10 10

Reviewer Comments on Organizational Qualifications:

Not entered

C. Project Objectives (up to 35 points)Points

Awarded

Maximum

Score

1. The objectives define specifically who will benefit and what will be learned. 5 5

2. The objectives address the need of the target audience as presented in the Statement of Need. 5 5

3. The objectives are consistent with the mission of the applicant organization. 3 5

4. The objectives meet one of OEEF's educational priorities. 3 5

5. The objectives are measurable. 5 5

6. The objectives are realistic for the age group or audience being targeted. 5 5

7. The project does not appear to duplicate other available environmental education resources and programs. 5 5

31 35

Reviewer Comments on Objectives:

The activity should include a segment to identify the actual stream impacts (good and bad). What activities in the upstream segments have changed

the water quality measurements. It is great to understand the changes in water quality, but why have they changed? What changes have been

beneficial as shown in the sampling and monitoring.

D. Project Activities (up to 35 points)Points

Awarded

Maximum

Score

1. The project activities are specific, and the sequence of activities is appropriate. 5 5

2. The project activities are appropriate for meeting the stated project objectives. 3 5

3. Reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the project information is scientifically valid and unbiased. 5 5

4. The project activities are (or will be) aligned with the Ohio Department of Education's Academic Content Standards for K-

12 education. (for pre-school or university audience projects, award 5 points)

5 5

5. The activities are age-appropriate. 5 5

6. The project does more than disseminate information: learners will engage in hands-on activities, problem solving, and/or

skill-building.

3 5

7. The project makes good use of existing environmental education materials, or provides good justification for the decision

to develop new materials.

5 5

31 35

Reviewer Comments on Activities:

See previous comment. It seems like the "why" is missing. The data and data collection is great, but "why". Seems to be missing the problem solving

element.

E. Timetable (up to 10 points)Points

Awarded

Maximum

Score

1. The start and end dates are realistic for completion of the activities. 5 5

2. The start and end dates show that activities will be carried out in a logical sequence. 5 5

10 10

Reviewer Comments on Timetable:

Not entered

F. Outcome Measurement (up to 15 points)Points

Awarded

Maximum

Score

1. The measurements are scientifically and educationally valid for determining if the project objectives were achieved. 5 5

2. The measurements describe success indicators, tools being used to measure, methods of analyzing the data, and who

will be conducting the evaluation.

5 5

3. The measurements address both short-term and long-term effects of the project. 3 5

13 15

Reviewer Comments on Outcome Measurements:

Not entered

G. Continuation/Replication Plan (up to 15 points)Points

Awarded

Maximum

Score

1. The project includes a realistic plan for sharing the results with other educators. 5 5

2. The plan describes how the project can continue once OEEF funding ends. 3 5

3. The plan describes how the project can serve as a model for replication with similar audiences. 5 5

13 15

Reviewer Comments on Continuation/Replication Plan:

Not entered

H. Budget (up to 20 points)Points

Awarded

Maximum

Score

1. The budget table and narrative clearly explain all expenditures to be funded by the OEEF. 5 5

2. The budget is appropriate for this type of project. 5 5

3. Salary costs are reasonable as a proportion of the overall budget. (In general, salary costs should not exceed 50% of

the total OEEF budget for the project. Higher amounts should be very well justified by the applicant)

5 5

4. Equipment costs are reasonable as a proportion of the overall budget. (In general, equipment costs should not exceed

50% of the total OEEF budget for the project. Higher amounts should be very well justified by the applicant)

5 5

20 20

Reviewer Comments on Budget:

Not entered

I. Discretionary Points (up to 10 points)Points

Awarded

Maximum

Score

Up to 10 discretionary points may be awarded by the peer reviewer in cases where the applicant has demonstrated that the

project has unique characteristics and excellent overall quality, where this distinction does not appropriately fit into the

categories previously listed. The reviewer must explain in the comment section why the discretionary points were awarded.

5 10

5 10

Reviewer Comments on Awarding of Discretionary Points:

The workforce training is great, but somehow a broader knowledge needs to be enhanced.

Total points awarded by reviewer 1: 153 out of 170

Reviewer 2


Awarded

Maximum

Score





20 20


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score




5 5

10 10


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score








33 35


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score






5 5



skill-building.

5 5



5 5

35 35


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score



10 10


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score




3 5


13 15


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score




15 15


The project builds off a strong existing program and allows for current hands-on learning in an environmental education field.


Awarded

Maximum

Score





5 5



5 5

20 20


The high end items being paid by the applicant shows a strong commitment to the project, as well as the cost for the volunteer samplers salaries.


Awarded

Maximum

Score




6 10

6 10


The expansion on a successful program to bring it into current sampling/testing processes with hands-on lab experience offers students first hand

opportunties to explore careers in environmental education.


Reviewer 3


Awarded

Maximum

Score





16 20


Audience identified as urban youth but unclear about ages . . . HS, college, adult learners? How/Where is recruitment happening? Applicants

reference youth and young adults with minimal clarity about how these folks are becoming acquainted with MCA. UC Env Studies students also an

audience? Unclear as they are mentioned in continuation plan but no elaboration elsewhere. Great opportunity for citizen science and will benefit

those involved but applicant will also benefit significantly with additional data and equipment upgrades (not necessarily direct benefits to the

participants); applicant should consider the value of Level II Data Collection certification for participants (encourage applicant to explore value of ODE

industry-recognized credentials as an example) - would fulfill audience need in addition to applicant need


Awarded

Maximum

Score




5 5

10 10


If UC is a partner (as mentioned in continuation and replication plan), then they should be added to qualification section.


Awarded

Maximum

Score








29 35


Additional clarity needed on relationship of target audience (are Blue Team members only being recruited from Green Corps program); objectives

appear to be more focused on outputs (new testing equipment, data sets, etc) than outcomes (changes in behavior, disposition, etc). Measurable

only in the sense of did/did not happen.


Awarded

Maximum

Score






5 5



skill-building.

3 5



3 5

29 35


Activities focus on upgrading equipment, training and sharing scientific findings. Assumption of a primarily university-age audience for participants in

the citizen science work thus minimal alignment with DOE standards expected. Sampling activities not necessarily appropriate for youth without

definition of age levels; little reference to env ed materials but applicants are building on existing Level II training.


Awarded

Maximum

Score



10 10


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score




0 5


6 15


Short and long term outcomes are described, but very little detail about how they will be measured is included; looking for a more robust evaluation

piece rooted in citizen science literature; consider pre/post surveys about awareness, knowledge, intent to act, etc.


Awarded

Maximum

Score




6 15


Applicants mention continued data collection and continuation of partnership, but no real plan for sharing the citizen science project in scholarly

journals, professional conferences, etc. Project is likely to continue after funding expires b/c of established programming and equipment updates.

Outreach activities showcase applicant's data and organization, but no mention for sharing this model or associated BMPs with similar organizations

(EECO presentations, NOAA citizen science, CSA).


Awarded

Maximum

Score





5 5



5 5

20 20


While the budget meets the needs of evaluation criteria, it's noted that it's essentially salary and equipment/supplies. Budget doesn't directly impact

or support participants other than with use of equipment. Connecting budget line items to overall environmental education value for participants is

challenging.


Awarded

Maximum

Score




10

10


Not entered


Reviewer 4


Awarded

Maximum

Score





20 20


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score




5 5

10 10


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score








33 35


The proposal addresses the needs of the community while expanding the water quality monitoring program at Mill Creek


Awarded

Maximum

Score






5 5



skill-building.

5 5



5 5

35 35


Given the hard economic conditions prevailing in the county, it is not clear if volunteers will show up for participating in water sampling activity. The

project's strong attempt to provide people with skill sets to be successful in the workplace is very commendable and deserves special mention


Awarded

Maximum

Score



10 10


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score




5 5


15 15


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score




15 15


Not entered


Awarded

Maximum

Score





5 5



5 5

20 20


In terms of matching funds, the proposal seeks to use many existing pieces of equipment and not purchase new ones; however an appropriate price

has been added to the budget (to cover as applicant matching amount)


Awarded

Maximum

Score




2 10

2 10


Monitoring of water quality has been very nicely tied in with growing the community as a whole; by providing them with unique job skills and

experience which will render them valuable in the workplace


oeef grant application - ohio epa...corps volunteer for two years in thailand. he created and...

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