- Public Involvement & Education
- Storm Water Program
- Watershed Programs
- Conservation Easements
- Soil Testing
Storm Water
As of March 10, 2003, construction projects of one or more acre disturbance, including the larger common plan of development or sale, need to have a complete storm water pollution prevention plan. A complete storm water pollution prevention plan includes erosion and sediment controls, non-sediment pollutant controls (for construction wastes), and post-construction water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) (e.g. bio-retention cells, storm water wetlands, enhanced water quality swales, water quality filter strips, infiltration basins, etc.).
At the same time, communities (municipalities, counties and townships) that have received coverage under Phase 2 of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program (Section 402 of the Clean Water Act), have a responsibility to guide construction site implementation based on regulated and standard practice, water quality features and function, and necessary maintenance of water quality BMPs. In Cuyahoga County, nearly all communities have received Phase 2 coverage.
Due to the experience and knowledge base of Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff, community officials and staff are increasingly requesting the Cuyahoga SWCD to assist in the development and implementation of their storm water pollution prevention programs.
Development, redevelopment and renovation projects have a tendency to proceed with less problems when specialists, such as the Cuyahoga SWCD technical staff, are involved in all phases of construction site implementation (planning, design, construction, and long-term maintenance). Mistakes made along the way generally result in improperly located and designed structures based on the site and soil conditions, inadequate construction, less than desired water quality function, and/or high maintenance cost.
In addition to assisting community officials and staff, the Cuyahoga SWCD also takes a leadership role in educating developers, builders, consultants, contractors, and landowners, land users/managers in the concept, need, application and proper maintenance of soil and water quality BMPs.
Community Riparian and Wetland Guidance
Northeast Ohio Regional Storm Water Task Force
2006 Edition of the Rainwater and Land Development Manual
Construction Site
Weekly & Storm Event Inspection Checklist
Operating Procedures for Compliance - What Construction Contractors
Should Know
by Todd Houser, CPESC, CPSS, Storm Water Program Manager
Storm Water News:
Ohio EPA Issues New Permit
Effective April 21, 2008, Ohio EPA issued a new Construction General
Permit (OHC000003) for all land disturbances that are 1 acre or
greater including the larger common plan of development or sale.
Click here for more information
Certified Erosion, Sediment and Storm Water
Inspector (CESSWI) Certification: Review and Exam
The Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center (GLEFC) is partnering
with various local agencies to provide a review class and exam in
northeast Ohio for Certified Erosion, Sediment and Storm Water
Inspector (CESSWI) Certification. By providing these locally, it
will make it more cost effective for inspectors interested in
distinguishing themselves as certified, qualified professionals. The
review and exams are July 16-18, 2008
Click here for additional
information and registration form
Standard Operating Procedures for Clean Water
Local governments in Cuyahoga County are beginning to evaluate
standard operating procedures (SOPs) for implementation of Clean
Water Act Responsibilities. SOPs detail regular work processes
that identify potential pollutant sources associated with
construction activities and describe the implementation of Best
Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce pollutant discharges from
construction activities. A useful tool includes Ohio EPA's
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Checklist.
Click here for the checklist.
In addition, U.S. EPA's program evaluation guidance reports that EPA
will evaluate the level of compliance of storm water pollution
prevention plans and construction implementation based on the
actions documented to get compliance.
Click here for more information.