The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1392557
Lower East Fork White River Watershed news By Julia Loehr "Despite all our achieve- ments, we owe our existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains" (Farm Equipment Associa- tion of Minnesota and South Dakota). I have heard this quote sev- eral times in my work and its truth still humbles me. I un- derstand that life and the fu- ture of our nation rests on pro- tecting, maintaining, and re- storing soil health and water quality; and yet, sadly, it isn't always at the forefront of my daily thoughts, goals or ac- complishments. It seems it would take a her- culean effort to change the en- tire world and fix all our soil erosion issues and water qual- ity troubles. Luckily, we are not asked to fix the world; we are asked to work together to improve our backyards, our county roads, our neighbor- hoods, and our towns. Every small step towards bettering our world becomes a hercule- an effect when totaled togeth- er among all of us. Whether you use your land to grow a green lawn, run a business, produce food for the nation, grow trees or a garden – the end game is the same: conservation. Conser- vation just means that we use our natural resources in a sus- tainable way. Recently, the Indiana De- partment of Environmental Management (IDEM) did some water quality sampling on the Lower East Fork White River. Pike County SWCD then got involved and secured a Clean Water Indiana Section 319 grant to draft a Watershed Management Plan. The water quality data from IDEM was used to draft the plan which identified critical areas that needed soil health and water quality improvements. In ad- dition to funding to write the plan, funding was secured to implement best management practices in those critical ar- eas. In Pike County, the fund- ing will be used to address wa- ter quality issues in the target zone of Mud Creek. If you are interested in learning more about improv- ing water quality or how the funding will help conservation of natural resources in Mud Creek, please contact me! Highland Pigeon Watershed news By Julia Loehr We are extremely fortunate to live in a country with one of the safest drinking water sup- plies in the world. More than 90 percent of Americans get their water from community water systems which are sub- ject to drinking water stan- dards. This tap water may vary from place to place due to its source water condition, but treatment in a community water plant means that all tap water meets US Environmen- tal Protection Agency regula- tions. Even though our water is considered one of the safest in the world, water contami- nations still occur. The possi- ble sources of contamination include: • Sewage releases • Naturally occurring chemical and minerals such as radon and ura- nium • Land use practices such as fertilizer/chemical ap- plications and livestock production • Manufacturing processes • Malfunctioning of on-site wastewater treatment sys- tems (septic systems). The presence of certain contaminants in our water supply can lead to health is- sues, especially for those who are compromised or high risk for illness such as infants, el- derly, pregnant women and those with a weakened im- mune system. Every home receiving its tap water from a community water supplier will receive an annual CCR or Consumer Con- fidence Report. You may have considered this junk mail and never read yours, but these re- ports provide information on local drinking water quality, including the water's source, contaminants that were found in the water, and how you as a consumer can get involved in protecting our drinking water supply. If you'd like to get involved and learn ways to protect or improve water quality where you live, contact the Highland Pigeon Watershed Coordina- tor, Julie Loehr. Hi! I am Julie Loehr, a Watershed Coordina- tor working to coordi- nate natural resource conservation efforts be- tween state government and the citizens (we call those stakeholders) of the watershed. I work with landown- ers, business owners, producers, and volun- teers interested in pro- tecting, restoring, and maintaining our soil health and water quality in the watershed. Since my work is watershed based, I don't work in a particular county, as watersheds cross coun- ty lines. I am currently work- ing in three watersheds: Middle Patoka River, Lower East Fork White River and the Highland Pigeon (Pigeon Creek). This work takes me in- to Daviess, Martin, Du- bois, Pike, Spencer, Warrick, Vanderburgh, and Gibson Counties. I want to hear from you if you are interested in learning more about protecting, restoring, or maintaining water quality and soil health where you live. Call my cell phone or email me: 812.779.7924 or Julia. loehr@in.nacdnet.net. The future of our drinking water quality is closely linked to land use decisions made by the landowner, who can protect our wa- ters through conservation and best management practices. Pike County SWCD STAFF DIRECTORY Board of Supervisors: Norman Dillon, Chairman Paul Lake, Vice-Chairman Tom Rudolph, Supervisor Brad Smith, Supervisor Ryan Loos, Supervisor Office Staff Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Lydia Spann, Soil Technician Kyla Estey, District Coordinator Watershed Coordinator Julie Loehr Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Morgan Devine, District Conservationist MEETING INFORMATION Pike County SWCD board meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month @ 5:30pm EST unless oth- erwise advertised. The public is invited to attend all meet- ings. **We are meeting at the USDA Service Center again; however, due to COVID we are unable to accommodate more than 10 due to capacity restrictions. For a member of the public to attend the meeting, you must call the of- fice prior to the meeting to determine whether we will have to meet at a different location or not. The Press-Dispatch Pike County Planter ■ Summer 2021 A-11 1220 Willow St., Vincennes • 812-882-2507/812-882-0210 • Summer Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5 For More Information: Counter-Flow Grain Drying Systems More than a Grain Dryer shivvers.com At Shivvers, we understand your crop is more than just a crop. It is your livelihood. It is your pride and joy. Since 1968, the Shivvers family has been perfecting the science of counter-flow grain drying and creating innovative products that we are proud to put our name on. Shivvers doesn't just sell you a grain drying system. We provide you with peace of mind. We certify capacities. 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