With the goal of restoring wetlands, repairing water infrastructure and reducing agricultural-based, non-point source pollution in our lakes, rivers and streams, H2Ohio will finally expand it's benefits across the Buckeye State. Initiated by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, the H2Ohio program had been limited to 24 counties in the North-west of Ohio.
H2Ohio is driven by three agency partners steering independent roles working toward the same goal of improving the overall quality of Ohio's waters. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (as well as, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts), The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Environment Protection Agency.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture has been tasked with advising and incentivizing producers in program areas to implement proven, science-based, cost-effective, best management practices (BMP) to reduce the usage of phosphorous on row crop operations. Producers will work with their Soil and Water Conservation District to determine which practices will have the most effectiveness on their farm while still producing a high yield of crop. These BMPs include:
Soil Testing
Variable-rate Fertilization
Substrate Nutrient Application
Manure Incorporation
Conservation Crop Rotation
Cover Crops
Drainage Water Management
Two-stage Ditch Construction
Edge-of-Filed Buffers
Wetlands
A Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan (VNMP) is required for all cropland enrolled in H2Ohio. The VNMP shows the amount of nutrients in the soil and helps determine which BMPs will be most effective.
Producer Applications to Morrow County producers will be made available on April, 15, 2024. The deadline for the enrolment of acreage in the 2024 crop year will be June 30, 2024.
To begin, call into or visit the Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District Main Office at...
5362 US 42
Suite 202
Mt. Gilead, Ohio 43338
(419)946-7923
To initiate the process field boundaries and current soil tests (not older than 4 years, shapefile format) will need to be uploaded to the MyFarms application. MyFarms will be platforming the H2Ohio program as it expands throughout the state. The next steps will be broken down by 1. Nutrient Management Plan Development and 2. Nutrient Management Plan Implementation.
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Described as the string of pearls in water conservation, wetlands stand as natural areas of pollutant filtering, erosion control and wildlife habitat. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has already accomplished wetland restoration projects on almost 16,00 acres in the state. Through the expansion of H2Ohio Wetland Grant Program funding will now be available to landowners, local governments and non-profits organizations with an identified project areas. The H2Ohio Wetland Grant Program is a reimbursement program that funds 100% of work that provides high-quality restoration focused on nutrient reduction. There is a minimum request of $50,000 for projects, but no maximum request.
Applications for the H2Ohio Statewide Wetland Grant Program will be accepted beginning May 1st, 2024.
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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will be using the H2Ohio Program expansion to increase access to safe drinking waters and sewer services to disadvantaged communities. Projects from the EPA will include the construction of water treatment facilities, replacement of water lines and mains, extending sanitary sewers and the replacement of failing household sewage treatment systems. Projects will be based on the economic make-up of the surrounding area.
An increase in non-point source pollution testing in Ohio waterways will also receive funding. The EPA will publish these findings in the Nutrient Mass Balance Study for Ohio’s Major Rivers report 2024. H2Ohio will expand nutrient monitoring of three additional watersheds: the Little Miami, the East Fork Little Miami, and Hocking rivers.
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