The Ohio Water Resources Center is part of the network of Water Resources Research Institutes established by the Water Resources Research Act (WRRA). The WRRA Program is managed by the United States Geological Society (USGS) and within the USGS the WRRA Institutes provide crucial water resources funding to the states in which they sit. In this role, the WRRA Program connects our Nation’s academic assets to the USGS mission by delivering university-based research, outreach, and education services to our citizens. 

The USGS Water Resources Mission Area Science Centers and regions are hubs for critical water science funded by federal, state, and other partners and stakeholders located throughout the country. There are currently 27 Water Science Centers plus 1 integrated Science Center covering all 50 States and territories. Each science center has specializations related to water quality parameters and issues found in the region. Regionally, the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center (OKI) provides reliable hydrologic and water-related ecological information to aid in the understanding of the use and management of water resources in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and the Nation. These science centers are another important way in which the Ohio Water Resources Center interacts with USGS. 

Dr. Tanja N. Williamson is the new Acting Program Manager for the WRRA Program and she also serves as a research hydrologist at the OKI Water Science Center. Dr. Williamson’s research interests span landscape and water-resource effects of agriculture, mining, development, and climate change. In this role, Dr. Williamson is uniquely positioned to enhance interactions between the Water Science Centers and WRRI Institutes. Consistent with this theme of fostering interactions, we wanted to strongly encourage those interested in responding to the current RFP for the National Competitive Grants Program to collaborate with USGS scientists as they develop their research proposals. 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is currently requesting proposals to receive grants for the Fiscal Year 2022 to support research on state and regional water problems that also have a national scope.

USGS announced three distinct funding opportunities: National Competitive Grants (General), Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The goals of the National Competitive Grants programs include encouraging collaboration between the USGS and university scientists in research on substantial national and water resources issues, promoting the distribution of research results from projects funded under the program and assisting in the training of scientists in water resources. This year, the AIS grants focus on supporting research on the real and growing impact of numerous aquatic invasive species on water quality and quantity in the Upper Mississippi Basin. The PFAS grants support research on the challenges and opportunities of understanding the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on water resources.

On March 11, 2022 several WWRI's in the Great Lakes Region hosted an informational webinar about these RFPs. The slides from this meeting and the recorded webinar are available. All applications will be submitted by the Institute Directors for each state water resources research institute. Please note the May 10 deadline listed on the USGS website is for institutes, such as the Ohio Water Resources Center, to apply. For Ohio investigators, project proposals must be submitted via email to the Ohio WRC (ohiowrc@osu.edu) by April 25, 2022 at 5 p.m. If planning to apply, researchers are encouraged to submit an optional Letter of Intent by April 8 at 5 p.m. that includes a tentative proposal title and indicates to which opportunity they plan to apply.

If you have any questions, email OhioWRC@osu.edu.

The Willamette River Basin is the fourth in a series of at least ten Integrated Water Science basin studies planned by USGS. Nestled between Oregon’s Coast and Cascades Ranges, the river flows north through a fertile agricultural valley that is also home to two-thirds of Oregon's population. The basin was chosen because its hydrologic and environmental setting is representative of the challenges faced by conflicting water demands between humans and ecosystems—particularly salmon—throughout the entire Pacific Northwest.  

Via The Associated Press, March 31, 2022

Via Springfield News-Sun, March 21, 2022

Via Utility Dive, March 11, 2022

Via WEF News, March 10, 2022

Via The Associated Press, March 8, 2022

Via Governor Mike DeWine, March 7, 2022

Have a news article you'd like us to feature in our Newsletter? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu!

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is currently requesting proposals for three distinct funding opportunities: National Competitive Grants (General), Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). For Ohio investigators, project proposals must be submitted via email to the Ohio WRC (ohiowrc@osu.edu) by April 25, 2022 at 5 p.m. If planning to apply, researchers are encouraged to submit an optional Letter of Intent by April 8 at 5 p.m. that includes a tentative proposal title and indicates to which opportunity they plan to apply.

On behalf of the Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), the Ohio Sea Grant College Program and the University of Toledo, are requesting Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative (HABRI) pre-proposals for one- to two-year research projects from Ohio colleges and universities. This request for proposals is seeking research and innovation that will aid the management efforts of state agencies and will support Governor Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio Initiative. Pre-proposals are due by April 21, 2022 at 5 p.m. For more information or to apply visit here.

The Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI) is seeking a new Executive Director with the vision and management skills to lead the consortium in its important role of advancing water science through community efforts. For more information visit here.

In an effort to highlight members' knowledge, experiences, and achievements, Ohio AWWA is accepting technical articles and success stories. The intent is to highlight this content by including it in the 2022 issues of the Ohio Section Newsletter. Send a request to submit with a synopsis of the article to oawwa@assnoffices.com. Deadline for the spring issue is February 8, summer issue is April 22, and the winter issue is October 8.

The Universities Council on Water Resources is interested in publishing research resulting from 104b and 104g grants in the Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education (JCWRE). JCWRE is published three times per year (April, August & December) and is available on Wiley Online Library. Manuscripts may be submitted at any time, but should be submitted by February 15 to be considered for the August issue and June 15 for the December issue. More information about JCWRE, including author guidelines, can be found here.

To find more resources offered by Ohio WRC, please visit: https://wrc.osu.edu/resources

April 20, 2022 • Virtual

Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) presents a roundtable discussion centered on "Coastal Water Issues II". This discussion will be facilitated by Michael O'Driscoll from East Carolina University's Department of Coastal Studies. For more information on future sessions and on how to register please visit here.

The 2022 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference (ECEC22) will feature traditional presentations and a poster session on the latest in emerging contaminant research, policies, and outreach in the soil, water, and air. Register here.

May 11-13, 2022 • Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio

The 2022 Ohio Stormwater Conference is an annual conference dedicated to advance the knowledge and understanding of comprehensive stormwater management for those dealing in all aspects of planning, design, implementation and regulatory compliance. Registration is now open!

Hosted annually by River Network, River Rally provides an inspiring and energy-infused touchpoint for nonprofit groups, as well as for agency and foundation representatives, industry innovators, philanthropists, academics, students, and community leaders. Registration is now open.

June 14-16, 2022 • Hyatt Regency in Greenville, SC

Registration is now open for the Universities Council on Water Resources and National Institutes of Water Resources Annual Water Resources Conference. The conference has a focus on water resilience to encourage conversations about how watersheds, ecosystems, infrastructure systems, governance structures, and communities can adapt and transform in the face of current and future stressors.

Have an event you'd like us to feature in our Newsletter? Email us at OhioWRC@osu.edu!

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Division of Surface Water (DSW) will be conducting monitoring in Lake Erie in 2022. In addition to this, DSW will be conducting a biological and water quality survey of the Hocking River watershed, Sandusky River watershed, Upper Ohio River tributaries, and the Wabash and Upper Great Miami River watersheds in 2022. DSW has compiled a proposed list of sampling sites for each survey. At this time, Ohio EPA is accepting comments on the proposed selection of sites for each location. Comments are due to the agency by April 15, 2022.

OAC Chapter 3745-90 sets forth regulations for harmful algal bloom monitoring, reporting, analysis and public notification for public water systems. A public hearing on this proposed rule making will be held to consider public comments in accordance with Section 119.03 of the Ohio Revised Code. Ohio EPA will be holding a virtual and in-person public hearing on the rules on May 4th, 2022 at 10:30am.