NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS

COMPLAINT / INQUIRY FORM

FEEDBACK & MAILING LIST

RESOURCE LINKS

Wet Weather Initiative

Meeting Minutes

Present: 

• Holly Utrata-Halcomb, Chair
• Cory Chadwick, HCDOES
• Jim Rozelle, FMSU
• Jason Hanauer, HCGHD
• Karen Ball, HC Commission (Portune)
• Tom Ryther, Mariemont
• Brian Bohl, HCSWCD
• John Hunter, LWVCA&MCRP
• Bob Jansen, Mill Creek Conservancy District
• Tom Brankamp, Woolpert
• Nancy Elwood, MCWC
• David Styer, Friends of the Greater Miami.

Stormwater Study Update - Jim Rozelle

All 50 jurisdictions in the County have been met with to assess stormwater-related problems. Jurisdictions vary in staffing and in awareness, but all have stormwater events requiring attention. Many lack the capacity to respond to Phase 2 requirements and are looking to the County for assistance and leadership. 

The next meetings will begin in August and will address possible management structures. Issues include staffing, funding, and controlling legal authority for stormwater management by jurisdictions. The Study is seeking ideas for the most appropriate approach to the local situation.

H.B. 292 - Amendment to Section 307.37 of ORC

H.B. 292 has been introduced to the General Assembly by Reps. Grendell, Seitz, Lendrum, and Peterson to amend the revised code to permit counties to include in their building codes regulations to protect existing surface and subsurface drainage.

The County Commissioners' Association of Ohio has circulated copies of proposed amendments for comments. Among the proposed changes is removal of exemption of developments that are less than five acres in area. The proposed amendment would establish a penalty of $100 to $500 per day for each violation of erosion control rules adopted under 307.79. Each day's continuation of a violation constitutes a separate offence. Copies of H.B. 292 and the memo from the Association are available from Holly's office.

Signage Committee - Nancy Elwood

The Signage Committee has applied for a $4400 grant from OEPA to fund a small scale test project in Colerain Township to be carried out by Miami University graduate students in the Institute for Environmental Studies. The Committee is still working with ODOT on signage format. Part of the test will include the use of a watershed logo. 

Brian Bohl, Stream Specialist, Hamilton Co. SWCD, will serve as Co-Chair of the Signage Committee.


Strategic Planning - Holly Utrata-Halcolmb

Having largely completed the initial goals (see report to HCEPP in 5/31/01 meeting notes) of the Wet Weather Initiative, the Chair called for discussion of the need to continue the Initiative. There was a strong argument for continuing until stormwater related issues have been adequately addressed. A number of areas were identified for future consideration by the WWI:

• Continue to review County Stormwater Management plans.
• Evaluate the concept of consolidation of prosecutions for environmental crimes before a single court with special environmental expertise.
• Develop a central countywide system for recording and sharing stormwater complaints from all agencies and jurisdictions.
• Develop a central repository for water quality data for all streams and lakes in the county.
• Develop a system to provide stormwater information to the public.
• Study the impact of current land use practices on stormwater quantity and quality. Promote protection of riparian corridors and greenways.
• Implement a watershed signage program.
• Coordinate stormwater management approaches with adjoining counties and establish points of contact with their officials and interested parties.

Announcements:

Mill Creek Watershed Council is meeting at 10:00 AM on July 27 in the Evendale Council Chambers located at 10500 Reading Road, Cincinnati. The meeting will focus on the recent flooding events.

MSD is hosting a Deep Tunnel Symposium on Saturday, August 18. A free public information session will be held from 9:00 AM to noon and will includes from the Mill Creek Tunnel Team and other Ohio Tunnel projects.

The next Wet Weather Initiative Meeting will be at 9:30 AM on August 30, 2001 at the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services, 250 Wm Howard Taft. Not the change in date from 8/23 to 8/30.