The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has unveiled a new phase of Governor DeWine's H2Ohio initiative, allocating $5 million in grants for a comprehensive statewide conservation ditch program. County engineers and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in Ohio are now eligible to secure funding for the construction of two-stage and self-forming ditches, pivotal in enhancing water quality.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Brian Baldridge, Director of ODA, stated, "Conservation ditches play an important role in improving Ohio’s waterways right at the edge of the field." This move marks an extension of the previous Two-Stage Ditch program, which earmarked $4 million for 11 projects in Northwest Ohio. Over 16,500 acres of watershed are set to benefit from the upcoming 8-mile conservation ditch projects, expected to conclude by the end of 2024. Projects approved this year have until the end of 2025 for completion.
The conservation ditches not only curb water flow, but also process nutrients and remove sediment, leading to marked environmental improvements. Applications for the grants must be submitted by October 31, 2023, via email. To learn more about the H2Ohio initiative, visit h2.ohio.gov.
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Categories: Ohio, Sustainable Agriculture