The Penn-Ohio Watershed Association addresses everything from septic tanks and litter bugs to farms and public forums in a plan to protect and promote the Shenango River and the streams and creeks that lead into it.

But the groups chiefly responsible for setting the goals -- the conservation districts in Mercer, Lawrence and Crawford counties and their equivalents in Trumbull and Ashtabula counties in Ohio -- are hoping that they are not the only ones working toward them.

Amy Reeher, watershed coordinator for Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District and lead agency in the Pymatuning/Shenango Watershed Plan, said the association wants more involvement from individuals and private groups.

"We're asking people to help and come lead the charge," said Brian Pilarcik, watershed specialist in Crawford County. "It's everybody's responsibility."

As the plan was unveiled Thursday for the Pennsylvania counties -- an Ohio introduction was held previously -- initial reaction was positive from some people who can round up grass-roots interest.

Jennifer and Rick Barborak, founders of the Shenango River Watchers, said they have offered their help in "any way we can."

"We have been involved and we will continue to be involved," Ms. Barborak said.

Steven Preston, a member of the Shenango River Watchers and other environmental groups, said he thought all of the nine goals were valid.

"The scope of some of them is quite far-reaching," he said. "I hope we can get there."

Connie White, a Wilmington High School biology and physical science teacher whose students are no strangers to mud, rain and waterway preservation efforts, said the fact the agencies are working together gives the plan an advantage over past efforts.

Ms. White, a former employee of the Mercer County Conservation District, said agencies from the various levels of government did not share information or coordinate efforts in the past.

"They're trying to pool the resources of all the different groups," she said.

The plan was pulled together by Davey Resources Group of Kent, Ohio, with funding secured from Ohio by Trumbull Soil and Water.

It compiles available information on the watershed -- Ms. Reeher said much more Ohio information is included because of the incompatibility of Pennsylvania data with the computer programs on which the Ohio data was stored -- and sets overall goals and individual ones for the conservation districts.

Stream bank enhancement through fencing and grass plantings, water quality testing and promotion of water-friendly farming practices are common aims.

Mercer County officials are looking for state funding to design a channel restoration project for Booth Run, which loses 4,100 tons of dirt from its banks annually, and cleaning up Fox Run, one of three streams impaired by main drainage, said Jill Shankel, watershed specialist.

Booth Run is in the northwestern section of the county and empties into the Shenango River Lake in South Pymatuning Township. Fox Run starts in Lake Township and feeds Yellow Creek in Jackson Township.

Mercer, Lawrence and Crawford counties are teaming with the Shenango Conservancy, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and other public and private agencies to apply for a state grant for stream fencing, grass planting and other work.

Ms. Reeher said Trumbull is seeking funds to share the cost of pumping septic tanks with residents, buy water testing equipment and continue cost-sharing programs aimed at waterways on farms.

Lawrence County programs are primarily aimed at agriculture, while Crawford centers its activities on Pymatuning Lake, officials said.

The plan does not address enforcement of state laws when violations are discovered. While the conservation districts have some regulatory power, they would rather work with the property owner to find ways to address the problem, and offer county assistance to abating it, said Jay Russell, Lawrence County's watershed specialist.

In some cases, the counties have money available for part of the cost of possible solutions, such as stream fencing and manure storage buildings.

"Voluntary compliance is what we've been shooting for from the start," said Jim Mondoc, manager of the Mercer district and co-founder -- with Dave Brown of Trumbull -- of the watershed association.

Preston praised the plan's emphasis on education, but asked for an assessment on past education programs.

"They know more today that they did five years ago," said Ms. Shankel, who deals with hundreds of students a year as education coordinator of the county-owned Munnell Run Farm in Coolspring Township. "There's still a lot of work to be done."

"They know what a watershed is," said Ms. Reeher.

Ms. Shankel and Russell said interest from schools, scouting groups and other groups aimed at young people and adult groups is growing.

Ms. White said schools probably will call even more frequently. The state has released new science standards and teachers are looking to local environmental officials for information to share in the classroom. That's a credit to the cooperation between agencies, she said.

"We are going to be asking these agencies for information because they are the ones that have it."

Copies of the Pymatuning-Shenango Watershed Plan are available at the conservation district offices in Mercer, Crawford, Lawrence and Ashtabula counties, and the Kinsman Free Public Library in Trumbull.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Joe Pinchot at jpinchot@sharon-herald.com

Watershed goals

Penn-Ohio Watershed Association listed these goals and in the Pymatuning/Shenango Watershed Plan: