A. Applicant Information: Organization Name: Blanchard River Watershed Partnership Name of Project Coordinator: Phil Martin Street Address: P.O. Box 1237 City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code: Findlay, Ohio 45839-1237 Telephone No.: 419-422-6487 Fax No.: E-mail Address: [email protected] Website: http://www.blanchardriver.org B. Sponsor Information (If Applicable) N/A C. Project Title: D etermining how to best handle Phosphorus and Pathogens from the Village of Houcktown. . Total Amount of Project Request (up to $15,000 USD.) $15,000 E. Abstract A feasibility study for the unincorporated village of Houcktown is needed to determine the best method to handle the failing Home Septic Treatment Systems (HSTS) in Houcktown. Phosphorus and pathogen loading from this village into Lye Creek were two impairments identified in the Ohio EPA Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report. The 10-digit Lye Creek watershed is located in the Upper Blanchard watershed which is focal watershed for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding in 2012. Once the feasibility study is completed, funding can be pursued through other venues to solve the problem. F. Organizational Information 1. When was your group founded and what is your organizational mission? The inception of Blanchard River Watershed Partnership (BRWP) began in December 2002. Regular meetings began in November of 2003 leading to the groups' initial declaration of being identified as an informal group called the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership. In July of 2006, the BRWP was granted a 501c3, non-profit public charity status by the United States Internal Revenue Service. The MISSION of the BRWP is to: "Encourage water quality improvements to our geologically unique, northwestern Ohio watershed, through sustainable land use, collaboration, conservation and enhancement of natural and man-made resources." 2. What are your current programs, activities, and accomplishments? The BRWP received full endorsement of The Outlet/Lye Creek (TOLC) Watershed Action Plan in June 2011. The Outlet/Lye Creek watershed is one of the 10-digit watersheds located in the Blanchard River watershed. This was the first endorsed action plan in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Full endorsement of TOLC action plan directly led to the Upper Blanchard watershed being named a focal watershed for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding in 2012. The Partnership continues to conduct water quality monitoring using macroinvertebrates and chemical testing. Grants are being sought to implement the action plan. The BRWP submitted the Riley Creek Watershed Action Plan for endorsement in May 2012. The BRWP has developed a strong working relationship with local Soil Water Conservation Districts, Commissioners, Boards of Health, EPA, and ODNR. The BRWP, working with the Hancock County Commissioners and Hancock County Board of Health, secured a $160,000 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund to repair/replace Home Septic Treatment Systems (HSTS) for low income families in Hancock County. So far, eight HSTS have been identified and are being replaced. The BRWP has also launched and program to build Rain Gardens and install Rain Barrels. 3. What is your current annual budget and primary sources of income? 2012 Operating Budget (Updated 8/1/2012) INCOME End of year balance 2011 1. OCMAG Cycle 15 Grant (Balance due thru June 30) 2. ODNR Implementation Grant (starts 7/1/2012) 2. Public Sponsors 3. Corporate Sponsors 4. Membership Total Funds Budgeted for 2012 $24,000 $20,000 $17,500 $13,000 $ 1,000 $ 655 $76,155 (31.5%) (26.2%) (23.0%) (17.1%) ( 1.3%) ( 0.9%) (100%) EXPENSES Watershed Coordinator consultant (12 months) BRWP taxes associate with employee Administrative Office Supplies Outreach Activities Training (Freshwater Future grant match) P.O. Box rental Insurance Website Total Expenses Budgeted for 2012 Budget Balance $48,000 $ 2,326 $ 3,250 $10,000 $ 281 $ 132 $ 1,625 $ 160 $65,774 $10,381* *$10,000 of the Budget Balance is committed as match for two-year grants in 2013 that received in 2012. G. To help us better assess your capacity needs, please complete the following questions. 1. How will funding from HOW support your larger GLRI or other federal proposal or project? The Upper Blanchard was named as a focal watershed for GLRI funding in 2012 due to the high phosphorus loading. With over 75% of the land use being agriculture, most of the phosphorus loading is probably coming from the crop production. Plans have been developed to address the phosphorus loading from crop production. However, the Village of Houcktovvn is contributing an estimated loading amount of phosphorus of over 1000 lbs./yr. from failing HSTS. Eventually, this phosphorus is carried to Lake Erie and fuels the algal bloom. There are approximately 51 HSTS units in the village. Normal methods, such as a Decentralized system, to handle this cluster of HSTS will not work. The BRWP investigated the installation of a Decentralized Treatment System for Houcktown. But, the tributary that is receiving the loadings, Lye Creek, does not maintain a year round flow. The Ohio Water Development Authority said a feasibility study needed to be done before they could get involved. The projected cost for this study is $18,750. The HSTS problem in Houcktown is the number 1 priority project in The Outlet/Lye Creek Watershed Action Plan. Finally, there are over 75 cluster of homes built using HSTS in the Blanchard River Watershed that are over 25 years old. The feasibility study will offer a good plan for addressing these other clusters of homes. 2. What, if any, additional needs do you have outside of this proposal that would help make your GLRI or other federal project or proposal a success? The GLRI money for the Upper Blanchard has increased need for "technical specialist" to assist the local SWCD, ODNR, and BRWP in contacting farmers about potential programs. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has hired two "technical specialist" for the past several years in the Blanchard River watershed. Starting in October 2012, the EDF will not continue to pay for these "technical Specialist". The EDF will pass $40,000 through to the BRWP to continue the employment of "technical specialist". This will allow the BRWP to subcontract with 1.5 "technical specialist". The projected need to handle the job is 3 "technical specialist" for one year. The BRWP is pursuing additional sources of money for this problem. H. Description of Project Please answer the following specific questions about your project. 1. Which of the following best describes the nature of your HOW project request? ■ Restoration related study, research or monitoring 2. Explain in 200 words or less your larger GLRI/federal proposal or project. A Preliminary Engineering Report and General Plan for Houcktown is needed to determine which variation of a Decentralized System would be the best choice. This must occur before any additional planning and grants can be done or pursued. The Report and Plan will represent a tentative layout and estimated costs for a wastewater collection system, most likely gravity sewers, to serve the Houcktown area. The Report will also address the estimated costs and tentative layout for two (2) potential treatment systems: construction of a package treatment plant near Houcktown or 2) pumping the wastewater to either the Village of Mt. Blanchard or Arlington for treatment in their existing systems. 3. Which HOW Priority Area, if any, will be impacted by the project located? (See the RFP for details) The Village of Houcktown is located in the Upper Blanchard watershed which is a part of the Western Lake Erie Basin (#6). 4. Describe your plan of work and how it supports your GLRI or other federal project/proposal in question 2, including specific tasks and outcomes that will be accomplished with HOW funding. The Ohio EPA 2009 TMDL Water Quality Study Report of the Blanchard River stated the Village of Houcktown was the source of pathogens and phosphorus loadings from failing HSTS. In order to solve this problem and eliminate the loadings, the Ohio Water Development Authority requires that a feasibility study be conducted first. Completion of this feasibility study will allow the BRWP to start the process of solving the problem in Houcktown. Also, there are over 75 cluster areas in the Blanchard River watershed with 10-25 homes that were built on small lots. Hopefully, the findings will be useful is handling these cluster areas. 5. A. If you are requesting funding to hire a consultant, describe the specific plan of work the consultant will accomplish. Describe how this plan of work will assist with your GLRI/other federal project or proposal. A Preliminary Engineering Report and/or a General Plan will need to be prepared to review feasible alternatives for handling wastewater discharges from the Houcktown area. The cost of maintenance of the system will be included in user fees charged to the customers; there will be an "affordability" analysis in the study that will look at all project costs, including maintenance. Once this feasibility plan is completed, the Hancock County Engineer, Rural Development, Ohio Water Authority, Jackson Township Trustees, Hancock County Commissioners, Hancock County Board of Health, and the BRWP can finalize the plan for handling the phosphorus loading and pathogens from the failing HSTSs in Houcktown. This will eliminate the phosphorus loading from this area of the Upper Blanchard watershed achieve one of the goals of the GLRI funding for the Western Lake Erie Basin. B. Do you need assistance locating/selecting a consultant? Not at this time. 6. Provide a brief timeline for the proposed HOW project, including start dates, milestones, and expected completion date. The feasibility study will take between 2-3 months to complete. The study will start as soon as the consultant can begin the study after we receive the grant. I. Check the attributes of your project that match the selection criteria. If checked, please explain in 100 words or less. • The GLRI/other federal proposal/project is at or nearing implementation. The Upper Blanchard watershed is one of the focal watersheds for GLRI funding in 2012. The main focus of the GLRI funding in the Upper Blanchard watershed is phosphorus loading. The two main sources of phosphorus loading in the Upper Blanchard watershed are crop production and failing HSTS. The GLRI money may be released later this month. Most of this money is for reducing phosphorus loading from crop production, two-stage ditches, and/or wetland restoration. ■ Parts of the GLRI/other federal proposal/project will result in short-term and long-term ecological benefits. Completion of this feasibility study will not only serve as a plan for handling the failing HSTS in the Village of Houcktown, but also provide a blueprint for how to handle that more than 75 other 10-20 clusters of homes whose HSTS are probably failing. Successful restoration of these HSTS will ensure that no phosphorus is being released into the waterways from failing HSTS for a long time. J. Proposed Budget Present the project budget using a table and descriptive summary categories, such as personnel, consultants, training, workshops, travel, professional consultant fees, legal fees, etc. Requested Funds Match Provided 1. Salaries & Wages Hancock Engineer, Hancock Dept. of Health $3,500 2. Expendable Materials & Supplies Office Supplies $ 100 3. Travel 200 miles $ 100 $ $ 30 20 4. Service/Consultants Engineering Consultant data collection, meetings with consultant $15,000 5. Publications/Presentations Public meeting notices Printing final report 6. Total Salaries (from 1) 7. Non-Salary Direct Costs (2-5) Total Cost: Description $15,000 $15,000 $3,500 $ 250 $3,750 K. Supporting Materials Submit the following supporting materials with your application: 1. 501(c)(3) confirmation letter from the IRS. If the applicant is not a 501(c)(3) organization, then submit the required charitable status documentation for the sponsor organization and a letter from the sponsor on their letterhead expressing support of your project and a willingness to serve as the applicant's fiscal sponsor. 2. Limit other support materials (letters of support, newspaper articles, etc.) to two items that you feel are essential to evaluate your proposal. These are not a requirement. Note: Grant recipients may be required to provide Freshwater Future with additional information. Hancock County En eer 1900 LIMA AVENUE, P. O. BOX 828 FINDLAY, OH 45839-0828 419-422-7433 • FAX: 419-424-5057 STEVEN C. WILSON, P.E., P.S. County Engineer CHRISTOPHER 0. LONG, P.E., P.S. Deputy Engineer September 11, 2012 Freshwater Futures P.O Box 2479 Petoskey, MI. 49770 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to provide our strong support for the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership request for a grant to perform a feasibility study of the Houcktown HSTS. The feasibility study is greatly needed before any further progress can be made on replacing the approximate 51 septic systems in this unincorporated area. The Ohio EPA's TMDL 2009 Report specifically noted that pathogens and nutrients from Houcktown were directly creating problems in the nearby Lye Creek. The Ohio Water Development Authority has informed us a feasibility study would be required before they could become involved with any potential funding opportunities. I strongly urge your support for funding of this very worthwhile and important project. Res f y Submitted; Steven C. Wilson, PE, PS Hancock County Sanitary Engineer Hancock County Commissioners 300 South Main Street, Findlay OH — Phone 419-424-7044 Fax 419-424-7828 Edward D. Ingold Phillip A. Riegle Emily A. Walton Cheryl K. Snyder, Clerk September 11, 2012 Freshwater Futures P.O. Box 2479 Petoskey, MI 49770 To Whom It May Concern: We, the Board of Hancock County Commissioners, are writing to provide our strong support for the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership request for a grant to do a feasibility study of the unincorporated Village of Houcktown's HSTS. The feasibility study is greatly needed before any further progress can be done on replacing the approximate 51 septic systems in the unincorporated village. The Ohio EPA's TMDL 2009 Report specifically noted the pathogens and nutrients from the village were directly creating problems in the nearby Lye Creek. The Ohio Water Development Authority has told the Hancock County Engineer and the watershed coordinator that a feasibility study would be required before they could become involved. We strongly urge your support for funding of this very worthwhile and important project. Sincerely, Board of cock County Commissio rs 1 r Edw Phillip Riegle