- A public meeting was held on March 29, 2005 to inform the public of the changes made in the Huff Run Watershed Plan.
- The HRWRP partnered with the Sandy Township Trustees to hold a “Clean Sweep” in the Huff Run Watershed and Sandy Township to pick up trash along township maintained roadways. Five members of the HRWRP met on April 23 and picked up 10 bags of trash.
- A Lyons Ground Breaking Ceremony in conjunction with an Open House for the new HRWRP office were held on May 17.
- The 2005 Huff Run Awareness Day was held on May 24. Partners from the ODNR/MRM, EPA/Surface Water and TSWCD held demonstrations for three middle school classes. All teachers stated that the children learned about water quality and that they would bring their classes back next year.
- The Huff Run Fun Day was held on August 27 in conjunction with the second Huff Run 5K and third annual Huff Run Photo Contest. Weather was a hindrance and not as many people as were expected turned out for the event.
- The Huff Run Fall Tour was held on October 14, 2005. Over 40 people attended.
Major Accomplishments:
- A new office for the HRWRP was established in the Mineral City Village Hall in January.
- A new Huff Run VISTA was hired (sponsored by Rural Action) and has helped expand many Huff Run programs.
- A Memorandum of Understanding between the HRWRP and Rural Action was drawn up and signed in November.
- Rural Action in conjunction with the HRWRP were awarded a US EPA Targeted Watershed Grant which will pay for one large restoration project (the Belden project), many new and continuing environmental education programs, and the Coordinator’s salary through 2008.
- The Huff Run Watershed Plan was endorsed by the State of Ohio in December.
- A one-year lease with the Village of Mineral City was signed to lease the front offices in the Mineral City Village Hall.
Actions Taken to Restore Issues in the Watershed:
AMD
-The five completed reclamation projects (Lindentree, Linden, Farr, HRWRP Acid Pit, and the Huff Run ALM Project) are all working to increase pH, reduce iron and manganese loadings and add alkalinity.
-The Lyons Project was just completed December 23, and although no post monitoring has been completed to date, loading reductions are expected to be dramatic.
- The Mineral-Zoar Project is anticipated to go to bid at the end of the winter and start construction in the spring. The right of entry from CSX railroad is the only obstacle at this time.
- The Harsha North Project is also anticipated to go to bid before the end of winter to start construction in the spring.
- The Thomas Project is also very close to construction. Final designs are almost complete. The project is anticipated to be constructed starting spring 2006 as well.
Open/ illegal dumping
- Mapping and assessment of all known problem areas was completed this year.
- Two landowners of illegal dumps were contacted.
Unconnected riparian buffers
- Mapping and assessment of all known problem areas was completed this year.
- Contacted 12 streamside landowners about poor riparian buffers along their stretch of Huff Run.
- Discussions were held about planting grasses and trees with seven of these landowners.
Septic Issues
-Mapping and assessment of all known problem areas was completed this year.
Agricultural issues
-Mapping and assessment of all known problem areas was completed this year.
Oil and gas development
-A list of all oil and gas companies active in the Huff Run Watershed (19 companies) has been completed with contact information.
Go to Annual Report Page 2