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Wet Weather Initiative |
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Meeting Minutes |
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June 26, 2003 Review of Meeting Summary, April 24, 2003 The April 24, 2003 WWIN meeting summary was approved without correction. Livable Landscapes, Southwest Ohio's Residential Open Space Initiative - Dr. Allison Leavitt, Environmental Planner and Landscape Architect -Livable Landscapes Conservation Development Program (A Project of the Miami Valley RC&D Council) The high rate of residential development in southwestern Ohio has led to increased flooding and erosion, loss of green space and rural character, and declining older neighborhoods. A group of concerned planners, conservationists and elected officials from eleven southwestern Ohio counties have formed the Miami Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) with the purpose of improving the economy and environment of the Miami Valley. The RC&D is a 501(c)3 organization of citizens, county commissioners, and Soil & Water Conservation Districts operating with in-kind support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The initiative is modeled on a successful RC&D program in northeastern Ohio, which focused on educating the development community on the use of open spaces in subdivisions. The program of the Miami Valley RC&D, called Livable Landscapes, is to provide educational and technical assistance to local government, planners, developers and the public to foster sustainable development practices throughout the region. Clustered developments creating high quality, contiguous, expansive tracts of open spaces that are available to all the residents of the development are key to this approach. Benefits are reduced storm water runoff, recreational opportunities, protected sensitive areas, and preserved rural landscapes. WWIN committee questions related to ownership, enforcement, and liability issues for the protected open spaces in the developments. - Report on Sustainable Cincinnati Regional Indicators Project Dr. Levitt Dr. Leavitt was asked to report on the recently completed Sustainable Cincinnati Indicators Project, which she helped to lead. A coalition of 59 organizations representing environmental, economic and social interests worked together over a two year period to develop 14 measures of regional health. Copies of the Indicators Report were distributed. The Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission has accepted responsibility for preparing annual updates based on data gathered from a network of particip[ating agencies. The annual reports are expected to show the status and trends of the regional economic, environmental health. The WWIN committee will consider taking responsibility for gathering the data for Indicator 8. "Percent of Stream Miles meeting State Water Quality Standards" as part of the Water Quality Subcommittee effort. Hamilton County Storm Water Management District Holly reported that Todd Long from the County Engineer's Office is supportive of WWIN's educational role in helping the Storm Water District fulfill the educational requirements of NPDES Phase II. The new District has just sent out membership fee statements so there is not much in the way of funding available, yet. Sam George reported that the City of Cincinnati fees should be received by the District soon. . Labeling of stream crossings will proceed using funds advanced by the County Engineer. Coordination with the multi-county Signage Project will be pursued for common signage design and cost reduction through large scale purchasing. The SWCD recently hired Michelle Brotherton to assist with the Phase II Education component. Michelle is contacting juriosdictions in the Little Mimi Watershed to offer assistance with Stomr drain labeling. A brochure will also be developed explaining the new Stormwater District, its’ role and tips on reducing non-point source pollution. Committee Reports: Education A brochure describing WWIN's History, Mission, Goals, and Actions was prepared by Nancy Ellwood for use with displays at educational workshops and meetings. The design was approved with minor additions by meeting attendees. Various options for having the brochure printed were discussed. Holly reported that at the annual HCS&WCD planning meeting storm water was selected as the top issue followed by greenspace, riparian corridor preservation, Mill Creek Restoration, and water quality. Storm Water Management At the April 24, 2003 WWIN meeting, it was voted to send a letter to the Hamilton County Engineer requesting inclusion in the Public Advisory Committee for the new Storm Water District. Subsequently, a letter was prepared by the WWIN Chair, Tom Ryther, and sent to Mr. Brayshaw with the request and recommendations related to a watershed-based approach to storm water management. The letter included information about WWIN and its long range plan. New Business -Nancy and Tom will look for an opportunity to presnt the WWIN program at a Mill Creek Watershed Council meeting. -A motion was made and passed unanimously to authorize the WWIN Chair to approve payment of costs, if any, for production of the WWIN brochure up to a maximum of $500. Announcements - Brian Bohl mentioned the Ohio River Paddlefest the following Saturday. - Jim Rozelle reported that Hamilton County is developing a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Hazards include flooding, severe storms, tornadoes, landslides, earthquakes, and drought. A draft will be completed by August in time for public review and comment before the end of the project in November. - Bret Henninger reported that the Hamilton County Park District is offering to sell its surplus wetland plant seed. If interested, contact Jim Bundy at 521-PARK. - Holly distributed information about the HCS&WCD's 2003 photo contest on the theme "The Magic of Our Streams". "To celebrate the lifelines of water that ribbon through our county, the District is searching for striking images that capture the biodiversity, and beauty of our waterways". Deadline for submission is August 1, 2003. - HCS&WCD is planning a teachers training workshop. - Sam George reported over 200 flooding complaints from the May 10, June 14 and 15 floods. - Bob Jansen reported that the Millcreek Valley Conservancy District (MVCD) is seeking a congressional direction for the Corps of Engineers reevaluation report to focus only on the deep tunnel alternative and an updated version of the old flood control plan. Include in this directive is that the completion of the GRR would be at 100% federal expense with a cost cap and completion date. - Nancy Ellwood reported that 15 counties are collaborating on the watershed Signage Project. The Project anticipates the installation of 15,000 signs at stream crossings in the region. Plans include fund raising, creation of a marketing brochure, and a big publicity event for the project next year. Next Meeting The next WWIN meeting will be August 28, 2003 at 9:30 AM at HCDOES, 250 Wm Howard Taft.
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HAMILTON COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT :: 2009
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