Stewardship of our Watersheds
Since 2021, Three Valley has contracted the expert service of Environmental Solutions AQ, LLC to complete 9-Element NPS/IS Strategic Plans for HUC-12 watersheds in our service area. The purpose of the plans are to improve water quality by identifying and evaluating sources of impairment such as: agricultural runoff, stream channel modification, sedimentation, and excessive nutrients; and determine what water quality goals, restoration methods, and conservation practices are needed. These projects are funded by grants from the Ohio EPA and all the strategic plans must be submitted to and approved by the Ohio EPA before publication.
We currently have three approved plans for watersheds in Butler County, Ohio which you can read by clicking the buttons below. Environmental Solutions personnel are working on an additional three watershed plans (Headwaters Twin Creek, Millers Fork, & Swamp Creek) overlapping portions of Darke, Preble, and Montgomery Counties.
Information on the Ohio EPA 9-Element NPS/IS Plans can be found here: https://epa.ohio.gov/monitor-pollution/maps-and-advisories/nonpoint-source-implementation-strategies
Information on our partners at Environmental Solutions AQ LLC can be found here:
STEWARDSHIP
Our goal in effective stewardship is to ensure that the terms of the easement are carried out in perpetuity, protecting the values of the landowner and the property they desire to protect. We strive to maintain positive relationships and effective communication with our landowners as it is an important component for ensuring the terms of the easement and maintaining a successful partnership in conservation.
MONITORING
As the grantee interest in our easements, we hold the legal responsibility to monitor each of our easement properties on an annual basis to ensure that the conservation values are being maintained according to the terms of the easement agreement. Monitoring inspections allow us the opportunity to document any property condition/land use changes and gives us the opportunity to engage with landowners. TVCT staff will contact you prior to each property visit. During this time we request that you keep us informed of any new or upcoming changes being made to your property as well as any concerns that you might have. Notifying our team in advance will be beneficial to both parties in avoiding potential future issues and will help us stay on track to meet our legal obligations.
If you have any questions regarding your easement at any time, such as whether a planned activity is permitted under the terms of your easement, or if an activity requires any notice or approval from TVCT, please contact Three Valley’s Stewardship Manager via email at landstew1@3vct.org.
Furthermore, we encourage you to seek the input or advice of TVCT staff for land management issues or enhancements on your easement property.
Restoration and Land Management Assistance
We recognize that property maintenance is labor intensive and often challenging, particularly with increasing encroachment of honey suckle and other noxious invasives in our region. Whether it be managing invasive species or you are interested in implementing habitat restoration practices, there may be state or federal funding available to assist you.
The Ohio Division of Forestry and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) work together to provide cost-share opportunities for landowners to conduct management activities on their properties. Activities such as invasive plant control, crop tree release, tree planting, wildlife habitat development and many more can be completed with both technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
Both of these programs are run through NRCS with technical assistance from your local state service forester.
If interested, please see the eligibility requirements, application process and general information located on the Ohio NRCS website link buttons below.
New Easement Property Ownership
If you are a new easement landowner we welcome you and appreciate your commitment toward conservation! We hope that the transfer process of your easement property has gone smoothly. We would love to meet you and go over any questions that you might have about the existing easement on your property.
Please reach out to us at your earliest convenience with any questions or to schedule a time to meet and introduce ourselves.
Call us at 513-524-2150 Ext. 3
Sale of an Easement Property
If you are planning to sell your easement property we request that you notify TVCT 30 days prior to placing your property on the market. This allows us to contact necessary legal entities to ensure awareness of the existence and terms of the easement. Notifying us in advance will also help to ensure that all of the necessary documentation is obtained in order to properly record the transfer of an easement property. We also welcome the opportunity to speak with potential buyers.
Email us at landstew1@3vct.org
Stay Informed
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