Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District

29 Triangle Park Drive, Suite 2901, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-3411

Phone: 513-772-7645 Editor: Holly Utrata-Halcomb

Summer/Fall
Fax: 513-772-7656 Layout: Barbara Connole
2006
Website: www.hcswcd.org

District’s Annual Meeting

Don’t miss our Annual Meeting! It is being held Thursday evening September 28, 2006,
at “Windows on the Green” - G.E. Park. If you would like to vote in the election, you may
come at 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. just to vote. If you plan on joining us for the meal and
meeting. it will begin at 6:00 p.m. More information is on our insert page.

The entertainment is going to be one of a kind!

Come and meet “Mr. Cowpie”. Mr. Cowpie’s Party
Animals is a family owned and operated business serving
Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati and surrounding areas which
specialize in events of all sizes. For several years, they
performed the "Animal Fun 101" music show on B&B
Riverboats.
The Gehner family owns a small farm in Mentor,
Kentucky where they grow pumpkins and livestock. The Mr.
Cowpie Animal Parties is one way the Gehners
supplement their farm income. This also utilizes Doug’s
degree in Education and helps spread the word about
conservation. The Gehners have worked with Campbell
County SWCD to implement several practices such as pasture
Doug (Mr. Cowpie), Jessie and Joan Gehner
management and rotation and manure composting. Doug
Gehner was chosen as the 2006 Campbell County Conservation District Outstanding Cooperator of the Year.
Come and enjoy the songs, animals and story of this conservation family.

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Farm City Tour

Would you and your family like to visit an array of working farms and learn more about agri-
culture and agribusiness activities? Then you won’t want to miss the Butler County Farm City
Tour that is scheduled for October 14th and 15th.

The schedule is as follows: Tom Study Farm—Contreras Road—Dairy

Brent Tincher Farm—Riggs Road—Horses
Mark Tincher Farm—Stillwell Beckett Road—Sheep
Brian Butterfield—State Route 73—Farm Market
Jeff Ittel, GP Turf—Jones Road—Sod and Tree Nursery

You can set your own pace and visit as many stops as you like, in whichever order you
like. To find out more and to receive a map, please call Butler SWCD at 513-887-3720.
 2006 Clean Sweep – Another Step in the Right Direction for the
Great Miami River
by Brian Bohl, Stream Specialist

Barrels, bathtubs, bed frames, bumpers, mailboxes, mattress springs and mud flaps, along with golf bags, pipes, containers and
many other discarded items made their way from the Great Miami River and its banks to the dumpster during the Clean Sweep of the
Great Miami. On the 2nd and 3rd weekend in July, the clean-up took place at numerous locations along the 170 mile stretch of river
from the headwaters in Logan County to the confluence of the Ohio River in Hamilton County. In Hamilton County and at the Ox-
bow Inc. wetland in Dearborn County, Indiana there were around 100 hard working volunteers who dedicated their time to the clean-
up. Thanks to their efforts, 2 ½ large 30 yard dumpsters of trash were collected. This equates to approximately 740 bags of trash
removed from the Great Miami. Additionally, 240 tires were pulled from the river and surrounding floodplain. Many large items
were transported quite a long way from the banks of the Great Miami to the dumpster. It was truly an inspiration to see volunteers
spend a few hours of their time to band together and haul these items up steep slopes and along varied terrain in order to enhance our
valuable water resource.
The 2006 Clean Sweep has helped to improve recreational opportunities
along the Great Miami River. No one wants their experience on or along a
scenic river to be distorted by piles of garbage. It is the hope of all involved
with the Clean Sweep that diligent efforts year after year will significantly
reduce the presence of trash items along the Great Miami.
The motivation to engage in the Clean Sweep is succinctly described by a
volunteer at Shawnee Lookout who commented “I hate trash; can’t stand the
site of it.” Another volunteer noted, “I was the happiest person the day I left
Shawnee Lookout after the clean up. I have wanted to clean out those tires
for years!” The dedication of volunteers like these is truly an asset to the pro-
tection of our valuable water resources. However, they cannot do it alone so
keep your eyes peeled and your trash bags on hand for next year’s Clean
Sweep of the Great Miami River! Pictured to your right are Clean Sweep vol-
unteers removing tires at Shawnee Lookout County Park.

Hamilton County SWCD Welcomes

Kari Klug, Water Quality GO WITH THE FLOW AND BE
Public Involvement Coordinator A VOLUNTEER
The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District Join the growing list of concerned citizens who spread
would like to welcome Kari Klug as the new Water awareness about water quality in their local watershed. Students,
Quality Public Involvement Coordinator. Under the scouts, neighborhood organizations, and city workers are taking
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System action to label storm drains in the communities of Hamilton
(NPDES) Phase II Storm Water regulations, communities County. Storm drain labeling events are part of public education
in Hamilton County have efforts to address the issue of non point source pollutants that enter
been stepping up their the storm drains. These pollutants, which include fertilizers, pesti-
efforts to engage the public in cides, motor oil and pet wastes, cannot be traced back to a single
non point source pollution source. Many residents are unaware that these pollutants wash
prevention (NPS P2.) The down the drains untreated and flow directly into streams and rivers.
District has been coordinating If you, too, would like to spread the clean water message, and re-
many community public ceive great clean water tips, contact Kari Klug at (513) 772-7645.
involvement and outreach
efforts with respect to storm
drain labeling, watershed sign
installation and other NPS P2 education activities. Kari has
a real interest and passion for the preservation of our soil
and water resources through education and outreach. She
is currently attending Cincinnati State Community College
as an Environmental Engineering student. Please feel free
to stop by our office and welcome Kari!!

Summer Edition Page 2

 Earthwork News
By Chey Alberto, Urban Technician

4th Annual Southwest Ohio Erosion and Sediment Control Field Day
A Success!
The 4th Annual Southwest Ohio Erosion and Sediment Control Field Day held at the Warren County Career Center on June 14,
2006, was a success with growing participation. We had over 150 participants and increased our number of sponsors and
contributions.
This event put together by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont and Madison
Counties brings together representatives from the development community, design firms, homebuilders, regulators from various
jurisdictions, vendors of current erosion and sediment control products and other varied NPDES Phase II stakeholders throughout
southwest Ohio. The event aims to promote soil conservation and storm water pollution prevention as it relates to the construction
industry, showcase current practices and new technologies that are on the market to satisfy the regulatory requirements and also as
a forum to discuss current or upcoming trends and regulations.
This year’s participants received information regarding enforcement actions taken on a homebuilder/developer, alternative water
quality structures, plan review requirements, updates to the revised State of Ohio Rainwater and Land Development Manual and on
how to obtain CPESC (Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control) certification. They were also able to interface with
vendors of currently available erosion and sediment control products and observe on field demonstrations regarding their installation
and operation.
We would like to acknowledge our gold sponsors: Coppage Construction, Erosion Runner, Landcorp, Janell Concrete &
Masonry Equipment,Inc.and the Butler County Storm Water District, our silver sponsor Deerfield Township Storm Water District
and all our bronze sponsors for helping us stage a successful event. The first planning meeting for next year’s improved and more
exiting event will be held on September 14, 2006, at the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District Office. Please contact
Chey Alberto or Nate Sturm at (513) 772-7645 if you would like to participate in next year’s event.

______________________________

FREE Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Program Underway
The 2006 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, sponsored by the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District, is
now underway. The free program is open to Hamilton County residents only and began on March 18th and will run through Octo-
ber 31, 2006. The two drop-off locations and dates are:
Environmental Enterprises, Inc. Environmental Enterprises, Inc.
4650 Spring Grove Avenue 10163 Cincinnati-Dayton Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45232 Cincinnati, Ohio 45241
Hours: Hours:
Tuesdays: 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays: 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Items accepted at the collection program include: paint, pesticides/fertilizers, solvents/thinners, lawn/pool chemicals.
cleaners, household/auto batteries, prescription drugs, fire extinguishers, propane tanks, mercury, fluorescent bulbs, driveway sealer,
gasoline, antifreeze, motor oil and thermostats.

Items not accepted at the collection program include: radioactive materials, medical waste, explosives/ammunition, gun powder,
heating oil tanks, tires, yard waste, smoke alarms, garbage, roofing materials, appliances, computers/electronics and fuel tanks.

For more information call the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at 946-7700 or visit
www.hamiltoncountyrecycles.org

Summer Edition Page 3

Education Corner by Gwen Roth, Education Specialist
2006 Envirothon
On May 2, 2006, the Area IV Envirothon was held at
Tawawa Park in Sidney (Shelby County). This year 85
teams competed from 16 counties. The top four five-
member teams continued on to the State Envirothon held in
June.
Six teams from 3 Hamilton County high schools partici-
pated in the Area IV Envirothon and while none of them
took home the top prize (a trip to the State Envirothon in
NE Ohio) we all had a great time. This year, Loveland H.S.,
Sycamore H.S. and Providence Extension Program (home
school network) sent two teams each to participate. The
winning teams were: Northmont H.S., Anna H.S., Franklin
H.S. and Franklin H.S. The top finishing team from Hamil-
ton County was Sycamore H.S. team #2, with a 5th place
finish (SO CLOSE!!!) Congratulations to all our teams.
Hope to see everyone again next year in Greene County!!
5th Place Winners…..Sycamore High School #2
Left to Right: Eric Schwartz, Gabriel Ng, Nate Eckman, Paolo
Gabriel, Daniel Zimmer, Ron Hochstrasser (Team Advisor)
Get Out! At the 2006 Great
Outdoor Weekend
Get Out during this fall weekend (September 23 and 24)
and experience a free sampling of the best nature activities
in the Cincinnati Region.
The Great Outdoor Weekend was designed by a group of
environmental education and outdoor recreation
organizations to provide a diverse sampling of the best
nature activities in Greater Cincinnati. Because of the
generous financial and in-kind support of our sponsors and
participating organizations, all programs are FREE and
open to the public.
Hamilton County SWCD will be participating in activi-
ties at the Izaak Walton League Lodge (in Loveland) Satur-
day, September 23. For more information about the SWCD
activities, contact Gwen Roth 772-7645 x14 or
gwen.roth@hamilton-co.org. or go to
www.CincyGreatOutdoorWeekend.org
An Exciting New Curriculum…
Some of you may have heard about the new Hamilton County
Storm Water (SW) District. The Storm Water District is
administered by the Hamilton County Engineers and comprises 44
of the 49 jurisdictions in Hamilton County. It was formed to help
improve storm water quality throughout the county and to meet the
new NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System)
Phase II regulations of the Clean Water Act.
The Soil and Water District has been contracted by the SW
District to help with the public education and outreach components
of the program. One of the teaching tools the Soil and Water
Conservation District has developed is a curriculum designed
specifically for Hamilton County focusing on storm water issues –
it includes activities illustrating point and non point sources of
pollution and local water quality issues. The curriculum is divided
into 6 sections; Watersheds, Non Point Source Pollution, Urban,
Rural, Effects and Action and each section is divided among four
grade levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12). All activities have been corre-
lated to the new state science standards.
Come be the first to get a copy of this new curriculum!!
Wednesday, October 11, 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. (location TBA). For
more information or to register, contact Gwen at 772-7645 x14
or gwen.roth@hamilton-co.org.
2006 Splash “Connections”
Teacher Training Workshops
Looking for fun, creative, hands-on science activities that are
already correlated to Ohio’s Academic Content Standards?
Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District,
Greenacres Foundation and the University of Cincinnati Center for
Economic Education are offering 4 day-long workshops:
Sat. 11/4/06: Water, Weather, Wildlife, and Food Chains
(gr. 3-5)
Sat. 12/9/06: Diversity, Weather, Earth Systems, and
Change (gr. 6-8)
Sat. 2/10/07: Human Impacts, Data Interpretation, Maps,
& Technology (gr. 9-12)
Sat. 3/31/07: Monitoring Streams, Ponds, Lakes, and
Wetlands (gr. 3-12)
All workshops will be held at Greenacres Old Church (Indian Hill)
from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. $10/day to Hamilton County teachers,
$35/day all others. You may attend one or more days. Reduced
price UC Graduate Credit is available. Contact Anne Lyon at
(513) 891-4227/ alyon@green-acres.org or Gwen Roth at
(513) 772-7645/ gwen.roth@hamilton-co.org for more
information.
Just the Facts…………..

The average home has 60 - 100 pounds of hazardous waste stored in the basement,
garage, or under the sink. Improper storage or disposal can cause accidental poisoning
and environmental damage.

Approximately 164 species of fish have been collected from the Ohio River.

Non point source pollution from urban runoff, agricultural activities and abandon mines
is a major cause of water pollution in the Ohio River.

The Ohio River is a source of drinking water for more than three million people.

There are 20 dams and 49 power generating facilities on the Ohio River. The power
generating facilities have a combined capacity in excess of six percent of the total U.S.
generating capacity. The navigation dams provide a nine-foot minimum depth for com-
mercial navigation.

A Guide to Eating Fish from the Ohio River Basin

Tips to reduce your exposure to PCBs and other harmful chemicals:
• Each only the fillet, remove and throw away the head, skin, guts, kidneys, liver and
fatty parts before cooking
• Bake, broil or grill fish, letting the fatty juices drip away
• PCBs accumulate in the fatty pats of fish. Mercury is in all parts of the fish. Eat less
fish suspected of having high levels of mercury. See above websites for a complete list.
• Eat smaller and younger fish
• Avoid fatty fish such as carp and catfish
• If you fry fish, do not reuse cooking oil
Try to eat a variety of fish from different water bodies.

Go to http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/fishadvisory/ for fish advisory information or call OEPA at 614-644-2160.

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The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District is run by a publicly elected Board of Supervisors.
Our monthly board meetings are held at the District office the second Tuesday of the month beginning at
6:00 p.m. These meetings are open to the public.

If you would like direct notice if one of these meetings must be cancelled or we are changing our location that
month, please call our office at 513-772-7645 to have your name added to a list.
Board of Supervisors
Joe Allen, Chairman
Steve Sandfort, Vice-Chairman
Tim Boehmer, Secretary
Thomas W. Reininger, Treasurer
Dave Dyke, Program Chairman
District Staff
Holly Utrata-Halcomb, Administrator
Barbara Connole, Adm. Assistant
Dan Taphorn, Urban Conservationist
Chey Alberto, Urban Technician
Nate Sturm, Urban Technician
Gwen Roth, Education Specialist
Brian Bohl, Stream Specialist
Kari Klug, Water Quality Coordinator
Mohammad Islam, Geotechinical Eng.
Willie Potter, Design Technician
NRCS
John Williams, D.C.
George Cummings, D.C.
Jeff Barnes, Soil Conservationist
Upcoming Events
September 8, 9 & 10 - Harvest Home Festival. Come visit our booth. More info call the District
office.
September 18 - Southwest Ohio Urban Forestry Conference. Germantown MetroPark Nature
Center. Cost: $12.00. Any questions contact Wendi VanBuren at 513-932-6836 or email
Wendi.vanburen@dnr.state.oh.us
September 23 & 24 - Great Outdoor Weekend. Call Gwen Roth for more info. 772-7645 ex. 14 or
go to www.CincyGreatOutdoorWeekend.org
September 28 - Hamilton County SWCD Annual Meeting. Come join us for a night of fun
entertainment and fellowship. 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $12.00 per person.
September 29 - Ag Education Day at Coney Island. Call Gwen for more info.
Free Classroom Programs! The Hamilton County Storm Water District is providing FREE
programming in your classroom! Call the office to receive a free education brochure or to schedule a
program. If you would like to receive email notification of upcoming events and workshops,
email gwen.roth@hamilton-co.org

Mission Statement:
A public organization committed to assisting the citizens of Hamilton Co. through education, technical assistance and leadership to be stewards of our soil and water
resources.

All District programs are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or handicap.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cincinnati, OH
Permit No. 3556 Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-3411
PAID 29 Triangle Park Drive, Suite 2901
U.S. Postage Conservation District
Non-Profit Organization Hamilton County Soil and Water