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Wet Weather Initiative |
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Meeting Minutes |
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January 22, 2004 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ryther at 9:30 AM in the HCGHD conference room. Introductions were made and the agenda adopted. Nomination for Chairperson The nomination was seconded by Cory Chadwick and Mr. Rozelle was elected by unanimous vote. It was agreed that his responsibilities would begin as of the end of the current meeting. Update, Hamilton County Storm Water District (HCSWD)- Bill Brayshaw, Todd Long The HCSWD is organized under the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners with an Oversight Board, Support Staff and Steering Committee. The Hamilton County Engineer has accepted the position of administering the District operations on behalf of the Commissioners. The Oversight Board consists of seven members and is a function of County Government. The Oversight Board is supported by the Support Staff, a group consisting of 9-10 members that meet approximately monthly. The Support staff will interact with a Steering committee of approximately 50 members intended to meet as a public forum on a quarterly basis. The HCSWD completed its application to OEPA for a General Discharge Permit on time and has worked to implement the minimum control measures for year one of the Permit. A progress report must be filed with OEPA by April 2004. A recommended Budget was approved by the Hamilton County Commission in December of 2003 and the Annual Discharge Fee of $10,000 for 2003 permit coverage was paid to OEPA in January of 2004. HCSWD budget for the first year was approximately $418,000, and is anticipated to be approximately $550,000 for 2004. The area covered by the District is 391 square miles. Water pollution control measures include public education and involvement, illicit discharge detection, construction site runoff control, pollution prevention/housekeeping using identified best management practices and measurable goals. The District's strategy for meeting these requirements with its limited resources is to fully utilize existing County resources supplemented by judicious use of consultants. The HC Soil & Water Conservation District has a closely related program in place and has received Oversight Board authorization to proceed on behalf of the HCSWD in implementing Permit control measures. HCSWD plans to include both public and non governmental pollution control measures in its report to OEPA. WWIN members identified a number of NGO educational and public involvement activities that could be included. As an example, the watershed signage project relates to a specific public involvement BMP required under the Permit. One of the measurable goals of the District is to support the outreach programs of Watershed Groups within the County. HCS&WD, HC General Health District and the City of Cincinnati Stormwater Management Utility provide governmental resources. Two tasks requiring consultant support have been identified: organizing and supporting the HCSWD Steering Committee; and making an inventory of contributing pollution sources within the District. Letters of Interest and Scope of Services for determining a funding methodology for the next three years have been prepared, and the process of consultant selection will begin shortly. Ninety percent of the jurisdictions subject to Phase II have joined the District. A major task lies ahead in educating many of the jurisdictions about their responsibilities for implementation of pollution controls. WWIN members discussed the possibility of helping HCSWD by organizing a workshop for that purpose later in the year, possibly in collaboration with watershed groups and other agencies. General Announcements The Hamilton County Health District is being sued by a developer for rejecting a proposed waste discharge system that failed to meet required standards. The rejection has been upheld up through the Court of Appeals. The Mill Creek Conservancy District has been successful in working with our congressional delegation to secure a mandate for the COE to complete the GRR in 15 months with 100 % Federal cost share. In addition, a letter has been received from COE committing to the completion of the flood early warning system in the Mill Creek watershed before July 4, 2004. Watershed signage efforts continue but are limited by the availability of funds. The HCSWD has funding available for a small number of signs. Nancy Ellwood, MCWC, announced that a campaign to secure funding will be initiated in February (contacts: Nancy Ellwood at 513.563.8810 or Kim Lahman, MCRP, at 513.731.8400). Brian Bohl announced that ODOT has approved a watershed sign for Montgomery Road. Scenic River status is being pursued for the Great Miami River. A Regional Environmental Summit is being held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mt. Airy Forest Maple Ridge Lodge on Tuesday, February 24, 2004. The Summit is sponsored by Hamilton County Environmental Services, the Cincinnati Park Board, and the Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition and features a welcome by Commissioner Todd Portune and an opportunity for each environmental organization to address the group about their goals and plans. To register, contact Geoff Milz at (513) 946-7789 by February 13. The Chair reported that letters had been submitted in support of grant applications by Green Acres and Little Miami Inc. In addition, a letter was submitted to Mr. Brayshaw requesting inclusion of the Wet Weather Initiative in the representation of the Public Advisory Committee of the HCSWD when it is formed. Jim Rozelle expressed the thanks and appreciation of the group to Tom Ryther for his leadership of the Wet Weather Initiative for the past two years. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of the Wet Weather Initiative will be at HCDOES, 250 Wm Howard Taft Rd. at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2004
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HAMILTON COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT :: 2005
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