Two Bluffton residents were elected as board members of the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership (BRWP) for 2017, according to Phil Martin, watershed coordinator.

They are Judy Augsburger, Bluffton mayor, and Robert Antibus, retired biology professor at Bluffton University.

A third board member, Jeremiah “Bud” Haselman, represents the Cranberry Creek watershed. He holds a business degree in marketing and management from Bluffton University and lives in rural Pandora.

Board members represent all six sub watersheds, the City of Findlay, Village of Bluffton, Village of Ottawa and six at-large members.

In news affecting the Riley Creek watershed, BRWP has two Great Lakes Basin grants in the Allen County portion of Lower Riley Creek and in Middle Riley Creek watersheds during 2017. Both grants are for Best Management Practices with the farmers.

 The BRWP will continue to do its Water Quality Monitoring using macro invertebrate identification during late June and September. It will again monitor 21 sites on the Blanchard River, Lye Creek, Riley Creek, and Little Riley Creek.

Volunteers are needed to help. Call Phil Martin at 419.422.6487 if you would like to help.

Additional information about the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership is available in the winter newsletter, attached.