RUTLAND — The Leading Creek Citizen’s Committee is forming with its first meeting being at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 15 at the Pomeroy Library.

According to Karla Sanders, an AmeriCorps member working in the Leading Creek Watershed, the mission of the LCCC is to ensure lasting stewardship of the Leading Creek Watershed through projects designed and run by local residents and landowners. The LCCC is sponsored by the Leading Creek Watershed Project at the Meigs Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Leading Creek Watershed consists of approximately 150 square miles stretching across the western half of Meigs County and portions of Athens and Gallia Counties. Nearly 7,500 people live within the watershed which is affected by water quality and habitat impairments caused by abandoned mine land, acid mine drainage, agriculture and logging. These impairments degrade the natural environment which leads to a reduced quality of life for local residents and wildlife.

Committee project ideas include monthly sustainability workshops, community gardens, after-school programs, skill share programs, ride share programs, reuse free stores, school sustainability committees, recycling programs, after-school programs, etc. It’s also hoped the LCCC can work on a plan for the future success of watershed projects as well as establish funding opportunities for the watershed.

The LCCC will be run entirely by local residents and landowners with the structure and actions of the committee established by its members. Since the committee will be community-based, it will have the power to establish projects based entirely on the needs of the community.

For more information, call Sanders at 992-4282 or email her at Sanders.lcwg@yahoo.com.