Buckeye Lake Water Quality Partnership Announced
Buckeye Lake Region Corporation to Match the first $40K in Funds Raised for Water Quality Projects
April 6, 2022 – The Buckeye Lake Region Corporation (BLRC) has committed to raising funds to support water quality projects being led by Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow (BLT). As part of these efforts, the BLRC – through the Buckeye Lake Region Community Foundation – will match the first $40,000 in funds raised by organizations and community members.
“Since its founding, the BLRC has pledged to be an agent of positive change and transformation for the Buckeye Lake Region,” said Mike Fornataro, executive director, BLRC. “For this reason, we are pleased to support Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow’s efforts to improve water quality, which we believe is of critical importance to everyone that lives, works and visits here.”
Water quality is the primary concern for residents, business owners and visitors across the Buckeye Lake Region. So much so that in a recent focus group conducted by the Buckeye Lake Region Corporation water quality initiatives topped the list of projects that community members would like to see the organization support in 2022.
“BLT has been promoting water quality since 2008 for the benefit of recreation, agriculture, wildlife and other users of the Buckeye Lake Watershed aquatic resources,” said Matt Baumann, BLT director. “Our partnership with the Buckeye Lake Region Corporation will bring us closer to our goal of sustained water quality across the region.”
Potential water quality improvement projects that may be supported by the funds raised include:
Studies to Support Grant Applications. A successful grant application to pay for larger water quality initiatives often requires submission of supporting studies. These studies can be expensive, but worthwhile.
Wetland Maintenance and Creation. Properly designed and maintained wetlands are highly effective at filtering nutrients and sediment from water before entering the lake. They are also very expensive to create.
Wildlife Management. Some species create serious health hazards for humans and other animals. Proper wildlife management techniques can reap benefits for both the affected and managed species.
Submerged Aerators. This is a proven and affordable way to reduce algae and sediment. BLT has installed several aerators in the lake, and testimonials appear on the next panel. Aerators add oxygen to the water, which toxic algae hates. The increased oxygen accelerates decomposition of organic material on the bottom of the lake. The aerators are submerged and pose no navigation hazard for boats. They also require a small but consistent source of electricity. This is the water quality initiative that will get the most support from the BLRC fundraising efforts.
Pledge your support to this critical initiative, donate online today by visiting www.BLRC2036.org, click on the “donate” button and be sure to indicate that your donation is for “Water Quality” in the Special Instructions
About the Buckeye Lake Region Corporation
The Buckeye Lake Region Corporation (BLRC) was officially formed in September 2017. The BLRC is a tri-county alliance between Licking, Perry and Fairfield counties and is open to all political and civic entities in the tri-county region. The mission of the Buckeye Lake Region Corporation is to coordinate, manage and execute initiatives that support the Buckeye Lake 2036 Vision and the Buckeye Lake Region Declaration. Financial support for these initiatives is provided by the Buckeye Lake Region Community Foundation. https://www.blrc2036.org/index.html
About Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow
Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow Inc., is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3), of the Internal Revenue Code. We strive to promote the reduction of nonpoint pollution from all potential sources that may include agricultural, commercial, residential and recreation. Develop and offer youth-adult educational opportunities regarding relevant watershed management topics. Foster cooperation between agriculture, commercial residential and recreational interests in order to enable coordinated action toward common goals. Assist area decision makers in the development and coordinated adoption of sound watershed management policies. https://www.buckeyelakefortomorrow.org/