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Mill Creek Watershed Council

OKI plays an active role in the Mill Creek Watershed Council’s efforts to improve water quality and streamside habitat, preserve natural resources and open space, address wet weather and stormwater issues, and reduce flood damage in the urbanized drainage basin. Created by an intergovernmental agreement in June 1995, the Watershed Council represents 37 jurisdictions in Hamilton and Butler counties on an array of environmental issues arising in the 166-square-mile watershed. Since the Council’s inception, OKI has provided significant staff support, facilities and other resources to garner effectiveness for this non-profit organization. In the new millennium, the Council is striving to serve as a clearinghouse for collaborative projects, information exchange and volunteer efforts. The Council has become more self-reliant in 2000 by arranging financial assistance from a diverse set of public agencies, local political jurisdictions and other sources.

Some accomplishments of the Council include:

• Hiring a full-time executive director and a part-time staff assistant;
• Creating a web site that offers important dates and data, current events, and Council structure and history;
• Adopting the Mill Creek Watershed Greenway Master Plan as a multi-objective guide to restoration through 16 pilot projects in Hamilton and Butler counties;
• Forming a technical advisory group to offer the Ohio EPA recommendations on the allocation of total daily maximum loads (TMDL) of various point and nonpoint sources of pollution still reaching the Mill Creek;
• Working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Millcreek Valley Conservancy District on a general reevaluation report for reactivating the Mill Creek Flood Damage Reduction Project;
• Collaborating with local political jurisdictions and various agencies to plan creation of a flood early warning program;
• Partnering with project sponsor OKI and others on the federally funded Mill Creek Watershed Stormwater Quality Management Project;
• Expanding education and outreach programs through tree plantings, stream cleanups, creek walks, aerial videotapes, photos, maps, site visits, symposiums, newsletters, information packets, and canoe field trips with a wide variety of people, including elected officials, agency personnel, consultants, professors, students and interested citizens; and
• Providing the watershed’s stakeholders a forum on projects, policies and issues.