Posted on August 13, 2020
ASHTABULA — The Ohio Lake Erie Commission and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency are seeking public comments for the proposed removal of a “beneficial use impairment” that restricts navigational dredging activities within the Ashtabula River Area of Concern.
Beneficial use impairments identify specific problems that can prevent a body of water from reaching the best water quality possible.
“A lot of people have put in years of work and advocating for our river to be declassified,” City Manager Jim Timonere said. “We are excited this continues to move forward and all of the work done to restore our river and protect Lake Erie is finally seeing the results that were intended. The efforts are greatly appreciated.”
The Ohio Lake Erie Commission and Ohio EPA are recommending the removal of the “restrictions on navigational dredging activities” beneficial use impairments. Recent sampling results show that dredged material in the area of concern is suitable for beneficial use.
This beneficial use impairment is the last remaining of the initial six BUIs for the Ashtabula Area of Concern, which included the following: Restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption (2014), degradation of fish and wildlife populations (2014), loss of fish and wildlife habitat (2014), degradation of the flora and fauna found on the bottom, or in the bottom sediments, of Lake Erie (2018) and fish tumors and other deformities (2020).
If the restrictions on navigational dredging activities BUI is removed, the process can begin for delisting this section of the Ashtabula River as a designated area of concern.
“The Ashtabula River Area of Concern restoration activities have been a partnership with local, state and federal partnerships throughout the years,” said Anthony Chenault, Ohio EPA spokesperson. “The final beneficial use impairment removal recommendation will recognize these efforts by all partners.”
The Ashtabula River AOC lies in extreme northeast Ohio. The Ashtabula River flows into Lake Erie’s central basin in Ashtabula. The city of Ashtabula is the only significant urban center in the watershed. The rest of the drainage basin is in predominantly rural and agricultural areas. Major tributaries include Fields Brook and Strong Brook.
“The continued attention given to the Ashtabula River is a great thing that will benefit our area for years,” Ashtabula City Council President John Roskovics said. “The recreational use of our river seems to have increased dramatically. Having a cleaner, more useable river is such a wonderful thing.”
The Ashtabula River was designated as a Great Lakes Area of Concern under the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
Written comments will be accepted through Aug. 24. Comments can be mailed to Ohio EPA — DSW Northeast District Office, Attn: Melanie Barbis, 2110 East Aurora Road, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087, or email melanie.barbis@epa.ohio.gov
Ohio Lake Erie Commission was established to preserve Lake Erie’s natural resources, protect the quality of its waters and ecosystem, and promote economic development in the region. The director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency serves as the commission’s chairman. Additional members include the directors of the state departments of Transportation, Health, Development Services, Agriculture, Natural Resources and five additional members appointed by the governor.
Source: starbeacon
