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Manchester
College-led
Eel River
initiative seeks to enhance water
quality, recreation and
conservation
Biology faculty
and students at Manchester College are helping lead an initiative to enhance
water quality, soil and water conservation, fishing and recreation along
the Eel River in
Wabash and Miami
counties.
The Eel
River
is “a neglected resource” says Jerry Sweeten, assistant professor of
biology and temporary grant facilitator for the Middle Eel River
Watershed Initiative. People aren’t aware of the river’s possibilities,
so the four-year project includes raising the awareness of the
community, said Sweeten, whose students have performed many studies of
the river.
Sharing the
sponsorship are Soil & Water Conservation Districts of
Miami
and Wabash counties, Indiana Department
of Natural Resources, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. The
middle of the 110-mile Eel River flows slowly through scenic
farmland, woods and five towns, marred by soil erosion, mercury, fecal
bacteria, PCBs, odor and junk. This section of the
Eel
River flows through North Manchester,
Roann, Chili, Denver and Mexico. (The Eel begins in Fort Wayne, and feeds into the
Wabash
River at Logansport.)
The immediate
goals of cleaner water, improved fish habitat and soil erosion control
will lead to improved property values and other economic, recreational
and tourism benefits, Sweeten said. Underlying the initiative is
community involvement and stewardship through donations, volunteer
service, equipment and materials.
How much money
the initiative can raise for the project depends on local support, said
Sweeten, who is seeking a grant that will match local donations by 60
percent. Volunteer commitment counts toward the match, including
committee and work days that will begin when the funding is secured.
Sweeten, Professor David Kreps and four student interns will take the
lead on the initiative, with volunteers who join Friends of the Eel
River Watershed.
To participate,
donate or learn more about the Middle Eel River Watershed Initiative,
contact:
Biology Department, Manchester College, 260-982-5307
Miami County Soil & Water Conservation, 765-473-6753, Ext. 3
Wabash County
Soil & Water Conservation, 260-563-3145, Ext. 3
Manchester
students have been monitoring the water quality of the Eel River
for several years and will continue to do so during and after the
cleanup.
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