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The Rocky Fork Creek Watershed Protection Task Force
was formally established in 1993 with assistance from the Ohio EPA in response
to damage caused by construction activity in the area. The group now works with
all eight political jurisdictions responsible for land within the watershed. We
have contacts in watershed schools and have supplied each with water monitoring
equipment.
The 13-mile Rocky Fork Creek originates in southeastern
Delaware County and, flowing in a southerly direction into northeastern
Franklin County, drains an area of 29 square miles. The Creek terminates in Big
Walnut Creek in the City of Gahanna.
The watershed is home to over 216 species of wildflowers and
mature stands of trees as well as abundant wildlife. Although the numbers have
decreased, a wide variety of aquatic life is still present in most sections of
the creek.
Unique exposures of rocks along the creek record two early
geologic periods. One dates back 350 million years, when this area was covered
by a sea, and the more recent period documents the movement of glaciers around
10,000 years ago. The cliffs are well known to geologists and valued by those
who live near them because of their natural beauty.
Urban sprawl is the most pressing problem. Mud escaping
construction sites smothers aquatic life. The increased population requires
additional homes, roads, and parking lots, which send rain quickly into
waterways before it can be filtered through the soil. Buffers of ground cover
and trees are often lost along waterways. Do you realize that anything entering
a storm drain in our watershed flows untreated directly to Rocky Fork Creek
whether clean rain water, pop bottles, gasoline or soapy water from washing a
car?
The Rocky Fork Creek Task Force welcomes volunteers to stop by
the Township Hall located at 6545 Havens Rd. and pick up some storm drain
markers that state "No Dumping - Drains to Rocky Fork Creek". You can post
these on the drain covers in the area to help alert people to the dangers of
possible contamination.
As a public non-profit organization, we encourage residents and
others concerned about the future of the watershed to join our group. Benefits
include newsletters, membership meetings, and contacts to call with questions
and concerns.
Student - $5
Individual - $10
Family - $15
Businesses & Organizations - $25
Please make check payable to RFC Task Force and mail to
Al Harter, Treasurer
4991 Johnstown Rd.
New Albany, OH 43054
RFC Task Force points of contact:
Al Harter
614.855.1495
greenowl11@msn.com
Lou Smith
614.471.1125
rockyforkcreek@att.net
William Zamora
614.478.2634
zamoraw@hotmail.com
Bill Resch
614.939.5092
whresch@aol.com
Ellen Walker
614.855.4260
ewalker@jeffersontownship.org
Feel free to email us at rockyforkcreek@att.net
or call one of the RFC Task Force members.
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