Beginning in the Fall of 2024, Columbus Water and Power, in association with Franklin Soil and Water, established the Watershed Partner Service agreement program as a way to support and collaborate with local watershed groups.
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watershed group, for the purposes of the program, is a coalition of citizens who volunteer to protect and improve their local waterways. Members of local watershed groups can be found throughout the community doing everything from picking up litter to removing invasive species, educating their fellow residents at community events to advocating for clean water before local government entities. This important work is the backbone of local conservation and is why we at FSWCD want to recognize the efforts of these volunteer watershed groups as well as provide them with resources that enhance the services they provide for their communities.
The application window to apply for the Watershed Partnership Service Agreements will be open from July 7th to August 31st, 2025. Below you will find a complete description of the grant in the Request for Proposals as well as a fillable PDF Application and the Rules and Processes for applying for and receiving funds. If you have any questions please e-mail Henry Stahl.
The Columbus Watershed Partner Service Agreement Program allows the City to enter into service agreements with qualifying watershed groups in the City of Columbus. These groups can then provide services to the City that are relevant to the mission of CWP, such as public education or implementation of projects that use best practices to control or reduce stormwater. This program follows principles of the One Water concept, which recognizes that water must be managed in ways that respect and respond to the natural flows of watersheds and the natural ecosystem, geology, and hydrology of the area. Watershed-level management brings together regional partners from within and beyond the water sector in joint planning and collaborative action to protect the shared natural resources that are essential for health, agriculture, industry, aquatic species, forests, wildlife, recreation, and life itself. Our watershed groups are an important part of the communities and systems that help us achieve our water quality goals, and we are excited to support their work. The total funding amount available for this year is $50,000.
This program is modeled from a program administered by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.
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