This watershed project started when the Dearborn County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held a series of locally led meetings in the county. One of the resource concerns identified at the meetings was water quality and the need to address nutrient and sediment contamination in surface water runoff. The District Board took these comments plus others and developed their long-range plan of work. One goal of this plan was to assess resource needs in the county. The Tanners Creek watershed was a starting point for the SWCD board due to the high urban and agricultural activities occurring in the watershed. 

In 1998, the SWCD headed up a monitoring program on Tanners Creek and its tributaries to locate potential sources of pollution.  The water quality issues of Tanners Creek were brought to the public’s attention at the District's annual meeting in February 2000. A short program was presented about the watershed and a call went out to the audience for individuals wanting to participate in the Tanners Creek Watershed Project.   As a result of the annual meeting, the Tanners Creek Steering Committee was formed to continue the surveying process of Tanners Creek and its watershed.

Throughout the years, the steering committee has held a number of events to gather input from the public about the status of Tanners Creek.  The information gathered has helped the committee prioritize the needs of the watershed.  Key concerns include:

• Erosion
• Financial Assistance for landowners
• Lack of fish
• Garbage on private land
• Lack of Education
• Nutrient overloading

Watershed Partners
The Tanners Creek Steering Committee is made up of key stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds including landowners, environmental scientists, educators, technical experts, and concerned citizens.  The steering committee is responsible for setting policies, supervising, and giving program direction to members of three long-term subcommittees.  The steering committee meets quarterly at LaRosa’s Restaurant in Greendale.  At the start of the project, there were three long-term subcommittees that addressed specific needs within the project: technical, educational, and water monitoring.

In 2007, the subcommittees disbanded and members joined forces with the steering committee.  The steering committee is now made up of seven community members with invested interest in the watershed.