Sediment Characterization Study/Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment

This study is being funded by the Great Lakes National Program Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The goal of the project is to determine the levels of certain chemicals present in the sediments of Duck and Otter Creeks.  Sediment samples will be collected from 45 locations and analyzed for a variety of chemicals including pesticides, metals and PCBs.   Once the data is analyzed, a human health and ecological risk assessment will be prepared for the creeks, funded by the Joyce Foundation.  This will help to establish what next steps, if any, must be taken to protect human health and the environment in the Duck and Otter Creeks watersheds.

Duck and Otter Creeks Partnership completed a Wetland Identification and Restoration Plan in 2003, which describes nine sites where restoration projects could potentially be implemented.  This document took a year to develop and was funded by a $74,000 grant from US EPA.   One site that was identified as a potential restoration site is the Ravine Park wetland, just north of the Toledo Lutheran Home on Wheeling St.  This wetland is adjacent to Duck Creek.  Wetlands are important to the health of a watershed because they provide a direct benefit to their surroundings.  Wetland plants act as filters for the water and are able to convert organic pollutants into harmless compounds.

With cooperation and support from the Toledo Lutheran Home and a $50,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, approximately two acres of lawn are currently being replaced with native plants.  The plants and garden design are supplied by naturally Native Nursery and a majority of the work is being done by the Toledo Zoo ZOOTeens and other members of the local community.  Once the plants are established, fertilizers and herbicides will no longer be applied to the area and runoff will be reduced because of the deep root systems of the native plants.  This will result in a healthier wetland.