Funding/Projects | Alliance for Watershed Action and Resource Education

Sign Our Streams (SOS) Project:

In 2009 the Mahoning County Engineer's Office utilized $5,000 in grant funds from the Ohio EPA Environmental Education Fund to implement a stream signage program throughout the Mill Creek Watershed in Mahoning County. The Mill Creek Watershed Sign our Streams (SOS) Project is one of 11 projects awarded an OEEF mini grant in Ohio. The Engineer's Office applied for the grant on behalf of AWARE in partnership with Mill Creek MetroParks, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District.

The SOS Project resulted in stream signage posted at 44 crossings on county roads throughout the Mill Creek Watershed for a total of 88 signs. The signs, along with accompanying printed materials, identify fourteen streams in the watershed and remind citizens about the importance of protecting local water resources.

Nearly 100,000 people reside within the Mill Creek Watershed, which covers 73 square miles in 6 townships townships, 3 municipalities and 2 counties. Ohio EPA water quality monitoring indicates that all or parts of the following Mill Creek Watershed streams are affected by non-point source pollution:

Mill Creek
Bears Den Run
Ax Factory Run
Anderson-Macachee Run
Sawmill Run

Contributing Non-Point Pollutants include:

Failing septic systems
Construction site sediment
Improper residential practices
Urban runoff

Public education about local water resources is a component of the county's Ohio EPA mandated Phase II plan to improve surface water quality.

UPDATE!

In 2010 AWARE partnered with the Meander Valley Sanitary District (MVSD) to erect stream crossing signs along County roadways within the Meander Creek Watershed. A total of 35 crossings are now labeled, helping to educate area residents and visitors about their local waterways.