http://www.epa.state.oh.us/pic/nr/2006/september/BigDarby.html
OhioEPA
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER
P.O. Box 1049, 122 S. Front St.
Columbus, OH 43216-1049
Tele: (614) 644-2160 Fax: (614) 644-2737
NEWS RELEASE
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For Release: September 12, 2006
Media Contact: Jim Leach, (614) 644-2160
Ohio EPA Announces Two Steps to Help Protect Big
Darby Creek Watershed
Two steps that will help protect the water
quality in the Darby Creek watershed are moving forward. One is the
certification of a statewide water quality management plan by Governor Taft and
the other is Ohio EPA's issuance of a general permit that will regulate storm
water discharges throughout the watershed. The 555-square mile watershed
includes parts of Champaign, Clark, Franklin, Logan, Madison, Pickaway and Union
counties.
"These steps will protect the Darby watershed while allowing a reasonable amount
of development to occur," said Ohio EPA Director Joseph Koncelik.
The new plan sets forth criteria for development in the watershed that is a
result of the efforts of a working group of stakeholders in the watershed.
The certified water quality management plan was sent to U.S. EPA for approval.
Once approved, Ohio EPA will review applications for central sewer systems in
western Franklin County using the criteria established in the plan.
The storm water permit would apply to storm water discharges from construction
activity disturbing one acre or more. Known as a general permit because it
applies to a certain category of discharges rather than a specific project, the
conditions and requirements are determined up front and then followed by all
dischargers who meet the criteria.
There are additional requirements in this permit that differ from Ohio EPA's
standard general permit for storm water discharges from construction. One
significant difference is a requirement to leave green space between
construction activity and streams in the watershed. The setback distance is
aimed at keeping sediment and other pollutants out of the water.
Ohio EPA held public meetings on the statewide plan and the general permit on
February 22, 2006, and March 8, 2006, respectively, while both were in draft
form. Ohio EPA reviewed all the comments and made changes to both the statewide
plan and the general permit.
The statewide plan and general permit can be reviewed at
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw.
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