Yellow Creek Watershed Restoration Coalition
Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District

Contact Information

OSM/VISTA: Maggie Corder
Supervisor: Irene Moore
Sponsoring Organization: Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District
Address: 131 Main Street, Lower Level Wintersville, OH 43953
Phone: 740.264.9790
E-Mail: maggie-corder@oh.nacdnet.org (Maggie); irene-moore@ohio.ncdnet.org (Irene)
Website: http://www.jeffersonwcd.org (when available)
U.S. Congressional Districts: 18th
County: Jefferson County

The Yellow Creek Watershed Restoration Coalition has been an active citizenās group since 1998. The Yellow Creek Watershed Restoration Coalitionās mission is to improve and protect the environment in the Yellow Creek Watershed. The watershed is dealing with issues such as acid mine drainage, illegal dumping, biological wastes, erosion, and flooding.

The main problem that the OSM/VISTA is dealing with is acid mine drainage caused by an unregulated coal mining operation standard. Along with acid mine drainage comes mine spoil impact, erosion, and flooding which directly effect the habitat in the water as well as the residents who drink the water. The goal is to work with adjoining organizations to implement future restoration projects to help clean up the polluted water and regain a healthy habitat.

Some goals for the Americorps OSM/VISTA to accomplish with in their year's service include attending Yellow Creek Watershed Coalition meetings (2 per quarter), writing press releases for local and other press releases (one per quarter), promote and coordinate a litter clean up event in the Yellow Creek Watershed, assist the Yellow Creek Watershed Restoration Coalition in major outreach events, work with adjoining organizations on project proposals (including water monitoring and data entry), work with and gather information from sponsors to write a comprehensive Watershed Work Plan, attend trainings and meetings when needed, and participate in the Ohio State University Watershed Academy.

Thus far the OSM/VISTA has composed and attended monthly Yellow Creek Watershed Restoration Coalition meetings, written several press releases to the local newsletter and local newspaper, conducted a trash pick up in the watershed area, conducted an education outreach program, completed Phase I of an AMDAT proposal (which included water monitoring and storing data into a data base), updated information on Work Plan proposal, attended several trainings, and actively participate in the Ohio State University Watershed Academy doing assignments based on watershed issues.

• Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District- Daily supervision, housing assistance to VISTA, technical assistance
• Crossroads Resource Conservation and Development- Administrative supervision, VISTA sponsor
• Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development- Water monitoring assistance training, grant writing assistance, intern sponsor
• Ohio Environmental Protection Agency- Technical advisory assistance
• Office of Surface Mining - VISTA sponsor
• ODNR, Division of Mineral Resource Management- Funding, technical assistance
• Natural Resources Conservation Services- GIS information
• Farm and Dairy- Publish press releases relating to Yellow Creek and Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation activities
• Jefferson County Recycling and Litter Prevention- Support our mission and supply us with materials needed to pick up litter on reads with in our watershed
• Herald Star- Publish press releases relating to Yellow Creek and Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation activities