Buffer Team Members

Black, Cuyahoga and Maumee River Remedial Action Plan (RAPs) representatives are active members of the team and are promoting adopting of buffer practices in their respective areas of concern.
Contact: Ted Conlin or Kelvin Rogers

Erie Basin Resource Conservation and Development protects Ohio's natural resources in the Erie Basin while furthering conservation programs. Erie Basin RC&D serves as grant coordinator of the buffer program's Lake Erie Protection Fund grant, ensuring fiscal responsibility and grant administration.
Contact: Ed McConoughey

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a federal agency providing leadership and technical support to landowners via the National Conservation Buffer Initiative. NRCS is a co-chair of the Ohio Lake Erie Buffer Team and serves as the lead agency in coordinating and implementing buffer strategies.
Contact: Steve Davis or John Wilson

Ohio Corn Growers Association represents the interest of agricultural producers. The association will work with the buffer team to develop a speakers bureau of farmers who have installed conservation buffers.
Contact: Dwayne Siekman

Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) provides leadership to the agricultural industry in Ohio. ODA will lead the effort to develop buffer training programs for certified crop consultants and serve as a catalyst to involve agri-business in the promotion of conservation buffers.
Contact: Larry Berger

Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry provides state leadership for forestry practices and the forest industry. The Division will lead an effort to find ways to generate income from forest products that can be grown on conservation buffers, and lead the field windbreak component of the buffer program.
Contact: Gregg Maxfield

ODNR, Division of Natural Areas & Preserves provides leadership in establishing riparian forest buffers and native vegetation along streams ion Ohio.
Contact: Steve Roloson

ODNR, Division of Soil & Water Conservation will lead the state component of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which will provide joint state and federal funding incentives to landowners who install conservation buffers.
Contact: Ed Crawford

ODNR, Division of Wildlife provides state leadership for wildlife management and habitat restoration programs. The Division designed Ohio's buffer program logo and will produce marketing and other informational products for the buffer program.
Contact: Bob Flickinger

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) chairs the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. EPA will be an active partner in implementing the strategic plan and monitoring water quality and biological community improvements in areas of concentrated buffer activity.
Contact: Katie McKibben

Ohio Lake Erie Commission is a partnership of six state agencies provide leadership and funding towards Ohio's efforts to protect and enhance Lake Erie. The Commission has provided substantial funding towards this initiative through the Lake Erie Protection Fund.
Contact: Jeff Busch

Ohio State University's Ohio Sea Grant Program and OSU Extension provide leadership for educational programs and will assist in the development of video and slide presentations to promote buffers. OSU Extension will also identify income-producing crops to make buffer acres self-sustaining.
Contact: Fred Snyder

Ohio Wetlands Foundation is a private organization which provides wetland restoration and mitigation services. It has committed funding for demonstrations of innovative buffer practices such as wetland restoration.
Contact: Vince Messerly

Pheasants Forever is a private conservation organization working to create high quality wildlife habitat. Pheasants Forever chapters is an active member of the team and will help with the installation of buffers.
Contact: Jim Inglis

Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority provides leadership for issues associated with the Port of Toledo. The port authority is actively seeking fund for a buffer component to the Toledo Harbor Sediment Reduction Project.

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which will provide direct funding to farmers to encourage the planting of grass filter strips, riparian forest buffers, windbreaks and other buffer practices.
Contact: Joel Obrecht

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides leadership in assessing strategies to reduce sediment loading into the Maumee River. Implementation of conservation buffers in the Maumee watershed will be a key component.
Contact: Weiner Cadet

U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur supports the Lake Erie Buffer Program via her staff who attend buffer team meeting sand relay legislative and program opportunities to promote buffer practices.

U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a comprehensive water quality study in the Lake Erie watershed and is incorporating assessments of buffer effectiveness into its scientific activities.
Contact: Donna Myers

Ohio Lake Erie Buffer Office ~ 3900 Campus Drive Suite A ~ Lima, OH 45804

Information on this site is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. The Ohio Lake Erie Buffer Program disclaims any liability for any errors or omissions. The Ohio Lake Erie Buffer Team prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or family status.

Modified April 2004