However, the country's rich diversity is not well-represented in the sciences. The national disparities among science & engineering generally reflect the problems present in water-related fields and in Ohio. Given that the issues are systemic and widespread, naming them and proactively seeking ways to make water more inclusive is necessary at all levels and we want to highlight a couple of examples.

U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-3) is the Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congresswoman Beatty was awarded a score of 100% on the 2020 Clean Water Scorecard for her work to put people, water, and the environment first. In industry, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is working to make sure that the water workforce of the future is one that reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.

Another example is the Diversity in Water Series, which is a collaborative effort between the Ohio American Water Works Association's Diversity and Inclusion and Young Professionals Committees. The series features leaders in the water industry from diverse backgrounds to discuss their careers, how their identity has impacted their career path in the water industry, life lessons, and ways to champion diversity in both the water industry and our day-to-day lives. The events are held virtually every two months with the next event featuring Dr. Willie Harper, professor at AFIT to be held on May 13th at 5:30pm. For anyone interested in joining, the link to register is here. Recordings of past events are also available on the Ohio Diversity in Water Speaker Series YouTube channel.

Register for the webinar here. April 21, 2021, 12:00 to 1:00 PM

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

A citizen’s report of an invasive zebra mussel found in an aquarium moss package found in a pet store prompted a U.S. Geological Survey expert on invasive aquatic species to trigger nationwide alerts that have led to the discovery of the destructive shellfish in pet stores in at least 21 states from Alaska to Florida.  Amid concerns that the ornamental aquarium moss balls containing zebra mussels may have accidentally spread the pest to areas where it has not been seen before, federal agencies, states, and the pet store industry are working together to remove the moss balls from pet store shelves nationwide. They have also drawn up instructions for people who bought the moss balls or have them in aquariums to carefully decontaminate them, destroying any zebra mussels and larvae they contain using one of these methods: freezing them for at least 24 hours, placing them in boiling water for at least one minute, placing them in diluted chlorine bleach, or submerging them in undiluted white vinegar for at least 20 minutes. The decontamination instructions were developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the USGS and representatives of the pet industry.

Zebra mussels are an invasive, fingernail-sized mollusk native to freshwaters in Eurasia. They clog water intakes for power and water plants, block water control structures, and damage fishing and boating equipment, at great cost. The federal government, state agencies, fishing and boating groups and others have worked extensively to control their spread. In 1990, in response to the first wave of zebra mussel invasions, the USGS set up its Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, which tracks sightings of about 1,270 non-native aquatic plants and animals nationwide, including zebra mussels. State and local wildlife managers use the database to find and eliminate or control potentially harmful species. 

Reports of zebra mussels in moss balls have come from Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington and Wyoming. “I think this was a great test of the rapid-response network that we have been building,” coordinator of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, USGS fisheries biologist Wesley Daniel said. “In two days, we had a coordinated state, federal and industry response.” The USGS is also studying potential methods to help control zebra mussels that are already established in the environment, such as low-dose copper applications, carbon dioxide and microparticle delivery of toxicants. To report a suspected sighting of a zebra mussel or another non-indigenous aquatic plant or animal, visit here. 

NASA is currently seeking (in-person) reviewers for Earth Science Applications: Water Resources. See details and fill out the application form here.

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab are offering a virtual algae identification workshop April 21-22, with 8 Ohio EPA contact hours available for certification. This workshop is geared toward introductory and intermediate levels of algae identification. Virtual lectures will introduce the most common types of algae - green algae, diatoms and cyanobacteria commonly found in freshwater - and how to sample different habitats. Students will learn algae identification with live microscope feeds with fresh and preserved samples. Workshop cost is $150. Visit here for more information.

Ohio EPA offers $5000 scholarships to rising juniors and seniors in four year programs in environmental science and environmental engineering (and related majors) at Ohio colleges and universities. $2,500 scholarships are available to rising second year students in two-year degree programs. Application and criteria are posted on the Ohio Academy of Science web page. Deadline is April 15, 2021.  

College students are invited to apply for a $1,000 WMAO Scholarship through the Columbus Foundation. Each year, WMAO offers one undergraduate and one graduate scholarship to recipients who are students with an academic focus on water resources pursuing a degree at an Ohio college or university. Check out this informational video for guidance. Deadline to submit an application online is May 31, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Dennis Clement (dennis.clement@epa.ohio.gov), Chair of the Education Committee.

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

Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance is holding a new series of webinars focused on environmental issues that have an impact at the local level. For more information, visit our "In Your Community" web page. Opportunities and Challenges of Drinking Water and Wastewater Regionalization Description - This webinar will cover the concept of regionalization and consolidation for drinking water and wastewater utilities. Approved CEUs: One-hour RS/SIT credits from the Ohio Department of Health. Please join on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. (EST) for this informative webinar! Speaker: Jon Bernstein, Assistant Chief, Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, Office of Financial Assistance. Register here.

Ohio EPA's Division of Drinking and Ground Waters (DDAGW) is proposing "no change" to rules 3745-82-01, 3745-82-03 and 3745-82-04 of the Ohio Administrative Code. DDAGW has reviewed these rules to satisfy the five-year rule review requirements of section 106.03 and 106.031 of the Ohio Revised Code. OAC Chapter 3745-82 describes OAC Chapter 3745-82 describes and establishes monitoring requirements and definitions for secondary maximum contaminant levels. DDAGW is proposing to file the following rule with no changes. Comments can be submitted by email to ddagw_rulecomments@epa.ohio.gov. Comments should be received at the above address by close of business, April 26, 2021.

On March 4, 2021, Ohio EPA finalized the 401 Water Quality Certification and Response to Comments for the 2021 Nationwide Permits published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Federal Register (Volume 86, No. 8) on January 13, 2021.  The 2021 Nationwide Permits are effective from March 15, 2021 through March 15, 2026.  The final version, issued by the Army Corps, only included Nationwide Permits for 16 activities.  The other 40 Nationwide Permits will remain under the 2017 conditions until their expiration on March 18, 2022.

TCWP will be hosting webinars the second Wednesday of each month from January through April at 9:00 - 11:00 am EST. Each session earns 2 CEUs. Registration ends April 13 at 4 pm. April Speaker: Dr. Bob Hawley (Sustainable Streams) | A presentation on the new "Sustainable Watershed Planning Guidebook." Speakers are being confirmed for three more webinars in this series for June, July, and August. Stay tuned! If you have questions or need more information, please email Kate Chapel at kchapel@tinkerscreekwatershed.org. Visit here for registration.

American Rivers and River Network are partnering to organize Action Days for Clean Water and Rivers April. This is your opportunity to join with fellow advocates to meet virtually with members of Congress and ask them to support policies that will ensure clean water and healthy rivers for all communities. Anyone who is passionate about clean water and healthy rivers is encouraged and welcome to participate. No experience necessary! The team will work with you, and others from your state and congressional district, to schedule virtual meetings with your members of Congress. A virtual training session, materials, talking points, and current information on relevant legislation will also be provided. Register here before the April 9 deadline. Space is limited. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to April Ingle.

May 11-14, 2021 • Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH

Save the date for the 2021 Residuals and Biosolids Conference and plan to experience a robust program highlighting continued advances in the wastewater residuals and biosolids sector. Potential speakers are invited to submit an abstract for podium presentation, workshop, virtual presentation, or exhibitor mobile session. Early bird registration ends April 16.

Join us for the second Virtual River Rally! Our engaging and fun virtual program will run for four empowering days. Featuring ‘live’ content including plenaries, workshops, discussions, and inspiring reflections from award recipients, along access to a huge library of recorded workshops, opportunities to connect with peers, and an innovative new community platform that will connect the network for years to come. We hope you’ll join us! Register here.

May 19-21, 2021 • Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Sandusky, OH & Virtual

The 2021 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. The conference will provide updates on environmental issues, new technologies, regulatory information and pollution prevention. The 2021 Ohio Stormwater Conference is a great opportunity to strengthen your skills and knowledge in an intensive workshop setting with other colleagues. This is anticipated to be a hybrid event.

2021 WEF Stormwater Summit

The Water Environment Federation is hosting the Stormwater Summit in cooperation with the Central States Water Environment Association. This Summit is crafted to deepen the technical knowledge of professionals involved in stormwater and provide forums where leading issues in the sector are discussed. The conference will include oral presentations, interactive discussions, pre-conference workshops, exhibits, mobile sessions, opportunities for networking in dynamic settings, as well as virtual components.