Posted on August 5, 2024
According to the Ohio Lake Erie Commission and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, an evaluation has determined that dredged sediment from the Toledo Harbor navigation channel is suitable for beneficial uses such as in upland residential areas and in-water habitat restoration projects.
Consequently, the commission and OEPA are seeking comments from the public on a proposal to remove restrictions on dredging the harbor channel and depositing the sediment elsewhere as determined by regulations.
Written comments should be emailed by Aug. 9 to Cherie Blair, Ohio EPA Maumee AOC Coordinator, at Cherie.Blair@epa.ohio.gov.
“All dredged sediment from the Toledo Harbor federal navigation channel within the Maumee Area of Concern has the potential to be beneficially used upland based on the evaluation of sediment data to the U.S. EPA residential soil regional screening levels, information regarding ambient background conditions, and ecological screening levels. Dredged sediment may also be able to be used for aquatic beneficial uses such as in-water habitat restoration projects in accordance with the … water quality certification process,” a report recommending the removal of restrictions on dredging activities says.
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada defines Areas of Concern as geographic areas that fail to meet the objectives of the agreement where such failure has caused or is likely to cause impairment of beneficial use of the area’s ability to support aquatic life.
The Maumee Area of Concern encompasses a portion of the lower Maumee River watershed that includes almost 23 miles of the main stem of the Maumee River, as well as 11 additional independent waterways that flow into the Maumee River, Maumee Bay or Lake Erie. The AOC includes 787 square miles of watersheds, 45 miles of Lake Erie shoreline, and over 1,930 miles of streams.
Past industrial uses of the river resulted in areas that need to be restored for sediment contamination, degraded fish, and wildlife health and impaired recreational uses within the AOC.
The Maumee AOC Beneficial Use Impairments include:
-Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption – BUI Removed in 2022
-Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations
-Fish Tumors or Other Deformities
-Degradation of Benthos
-Restrictions on Navigational Dredging Activities
-Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae
-Beach Closings (Recreation Use)
-Degradation of Aesthetics – BUI Removed in 2023
-Added Costs to Agriculture or Industry – BUI Removed in 2015
-Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat
