As part of Governor Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) celebrated the completion of the new East Funk Bottoms and Muddy Fork wetland projects and the beginning of the new West Funk Bottoms project this month.
“Wetlands are incredibly important to water quality, and it’s great to see that these two projects are now complete,” Gov. DeWine said. “The H2Ohio initiative has grown exponentially over the last four years, and we are proud to continue spreading this science-based approach to water quality throughout Ohio.”
The East Funk Bottoms Project has been transformed into wetlands to help reduce erosion and filter sediment and runoff from a heavy agricultural use area. It is adjacent to the Muddy Fork project. Both projects will help filter nutrients during heavy rain events and limit the amount of nutrient flow into the Kiser ditch which ultimately feeds into the Ohio River. They are both within the Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area, a popular place for hunting and birding.
“Every day we’re working to improve water quality by harnessing the power of wetlands,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “These projects not only do that but offer amazing recreational and educational benefits.”
The East Funk Bottoms Project was completed in partnership with The Wilderness Center and the Wayne County Community Foundation. The Wilderness Center purchased the project site and restored the wetland area that sits within the floodplain of the Mohican River. The project will capture drainage from nearby farm fields while holding and treating water through the addition of multiple shallow vernal pools. The site will be seeded with native warm season grasses and trees to further aid in sediment erosion and nutrient reduction.
The Muddy Fork project was also in partnership with the Wayne County Community Foundation as well as the Western…