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Saving a National Treasure The Little Miami National Wild Scenic River Story

Eric B Partee LMC Executive Director

Welcome to the Little Miami Little Miami Conservancy Saving a National Treasure Since 1967 Southwest Ohio is truly blessed to have a spectacular little river running thru it Flowing 105 miles through five counties the Little Miami has been embraced by citizens and local leaders as a valuable natural resource for quiet outdoor recreation wildlife drinking water scenic beauty and much more The Little Miami Conservancy fka Little Miami Inc was founded in 1967 by Dayton newspaper editor Glenn Thompson as a citizen conservation organization dedicated to restoring and protecting this wonderful river resource Through it s win win approach to scenic river conservation LMC is proud to have acquired over 100 nature preserves provided key leadership leading to the designation as Ohio s first State Scenic River and National Wild Scenic River and we continue work to protect the full ecological health to this exceptional river Rich in bird life endangered species and scenic wonders the Little Miami is enjoyed by 850 000 people annually by canoeing biking hiking fishing bird watching and the pure enjoyment of quiet solitude in a natural setting just minutes from the urban landscapes of Greater Cincinnati Dayton and twelve other riverfront communities You can help keep the Little Miami alive and well by joining the hundreds of families who are LMC members and by volunteering for LMC s numerous conservation projects You can leave a great natural legacy along this beautiful river for generations to come Rhett C Rohrer LMC President Lower River Wild Scenic Dedication Ceremony in 1980 with LMC ODNR and legislators

The Little Miami Springfield 105 miles of Wild Scenic beauty with a million acre watershed Located on the eastern edge of the growing Cincinnati Dayton metropolitan area the Little Miami is a nationally recognized natural gem This historic ally agricultural watershed is experiencing growing pressure on its natural resources as urban development removes natural habitat and increases point and nonpoint discharges into the Little Miami and its tributaries Xenia Lebanon Batavia Wilmington

A Wild Scenic River The Little Miami has the distinction of being the first river in Ohio to be included in the National Wild Scenic River System 1974 and the first to be added to the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program 1969 In 2003 at LMC s request the Little Miami was added to the Audubon Important Bird Area Program an international bird habitat program recognizing the 255 bird species found along the river The National Wild Scenic Rivers Act It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which with their immediate environments possess outstandingly remarkable scenic recreational geologic fish and wildlife historic cultural or other similar values shall be preserved in free flowing condition and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations Thirty six species of freshwater mussels have been found in the Little Miami The Great Blue Heron The great Shawnee Leader Tecumseh was born along the Little Miami in the late 18th century The endangered Blue Sucker lives and reproduces in the Little Miami Six commercial canoe kayak liveries serve 100 000 people annually on the Little Miami

A Rich River Ecosystem An Exceptional River RESTORED OEPA has designated the Little Miami as Ohio s longest stretch of exceptional warmwater habitat placing the river in the top 10 of the stream ecosystems in Ohio Six Endangered and Threatened fish species reside in the Little Miami with more than 83 fish species 36 mussel species and 234 taxa of aquatic macro invertebrates insects Up until the end of the 20th century less than 40 of the river length was in full attainment of OEPA water quality and biological standards The primary culprit was the devastating effects of nutrient loading primarily dissolved phosphorus which was feeding algae in the river with significantly lowered dissolved oxygen levels in the night time hours of warm summer days After a number of scientific studies by OEPA and the University of Cincinnati discussions between OEPA and wastewater treatment plant operators yielded a cost effective plan for lowering the discharge of this nutrient from many of the 37 sewage treatment plants in the watershed LMC provided local support for a win win solution throughout

Public Enjoyment 850 000 People Enjoy the Valley Annually An estimated 850 000 people annually enjoy the great outdoors along the Little Miami either by canoeing hiking biking jogging rollerblading fishing bird watching etc The Little Miami Conservancy played a key leadership role in turning the old Little Miami Railroad into the popular Little Miami multi use trail Our talks with Federal and State leaders resulted in the 2 million of trail funding in 1983 to make it a reality Seven canoe liveries now afford an estimated 100 000 people the opportunity to enjoy this wild and scenic river setting each year A dozen communities tap the river s aquifer daily for cool clean drinking water for their citizens and businesses

Little Miami Conservancy in 1967 In 1967 local citizens came together to save a local river whose health was failing The Little Miami was lined with abandoned shacks and littered with trash old cars and dumping grounds Over 500 families now support LMC LMC is proud to have played a key leadership role in working wonders natural wonders along this lucky little river lucky because people cared enough to bring it back from the brink Thanks to that support LMC now owns over 100 nature preserves along the river Over 100 LMC nature preserves and reforestation projects now help protect the wildlife water quality drinking water and recreational opportunities for hundreds of thousands of families in Southwest Ohio

A History of Success Today some 54 of the riverbank forests are under some form of permanent natural protection either through land ownership or conservation easements held by LMC and other conservation agencies An additional 20 of the riverfront forests receive some protection through local zoning ordinances Local wastewater treatment plants are now removing nutrients from their discharges These reductions along with possible further reductions have all but eliminated algae blooms which threatened the very life of the river LMC s Scenic River Trail Center and other educational and volunteer projects inform local citizens and youth and afford them the opportunity for hands on projects to monitor restore the river LMC Center in Loveland

The Challenges Ahead Restoring Protecting the Little Miami in Ecological Health Conservation Action Planning LMC has undertaken comprehensive conservation action planning to guide our efforts in the coming years Using a proven planning approach developed by The Nature Conservancy a multi stage pierreviewed discussion process has yielded a plan of action for LMC which are pursuing toward implementation Floodplain Management Floodplains play a key role in the health of the Little Miami Management of land use in the high hazard floodplains along the Little Miami has long been a common goal of LMC and government policy LMC will continue to monitor floodplain use encourage thoughtful development compliance with existing floodplain program regulations and report non complying use to responsible government agencies

Water Quality Monitoring Improvement In the 1980 s the health of the Little Miami was seriously degraded Throughout the 1990 s numerous discussions involving OEPA local authorities and LMC resulted in a clean up strategy that worked wonders Reduction in the nutrient loading from Wastewater Treatment Plants lead the way to the full attainment of Exceptional health for the main stem LMC will continue to work with OEPA and local authorities to maintain full ecological health to the Little Miami including the implementation of effective stormwater regulations conservation planning for agricultural areas and timely water quality monitoring which will enable more timely and cost effective implementation of water quality management strategies etc Habitat Species Protection LMC will continue its permanent protection of key riverfront lands to provide maximum assurance that the river s health and immediate environs will provide wildlife habitat water quality buffers public recreation where appropriate clean drinking water and more Public Private Partnerships Historically LMC partnerships with public agencies and private interests have resulted in significant positive changes for the Little Miami environment LMC will seek out new partnerships and continue existing effective partnerships with public agencies and private landowners alike who seek to restore and protect the Little Miami Conservation Education Reaching out to citizens and area leaders is key to fostering long term concern for the Little Miami and its environ From special meetings to informative publications to guided float trips LMC will continue it s wild and scenic river conservation mission and reach out to future generations In 2006 LMC opened its Scenic River Trail Center in downtown Loveland along the Little Maimi Scenic Park trail LMC educates thousands of trail and river users and kids of all ages on the natural wonders of the river LMC has published books on the fishing the river and a wonderful children s book entitled Smallmouth Sonny of Bass Island Bar and conducts book readings in local schools

For more information LMC Web site www littlemiami org LMC Office 209 Railroad Avenue Loveland OH 45140 2915 513 965 9344 LMC Staff Eric B Partee Executive Director Vivien Carmichael Administrative Assistant LMC Scenic River Trail Center 211 Railroad Avenue Loveland OH 45140 2915 along the Little Miami Scenic Trail in Historic downtown Loveland OH A 1917 photograph of fishermen along the Little Miami at Milford OH