On February 11, the Lucas County engineer’s office released a revised stormwater management plan draft and is seeking public input prior to finalization by the county commissioners.
The plan creates and implements programs that reduce water pollution caused by stormwater runoff. As part of the revision process, Lucas County is requesting feedback from residents, business owners and other interested parties on how to improve the program.
Since 2003, the U.S. and Ohio EPAs have required Lucas County and 11 urbanized townships–Jerusalem, Monclova, Spencer, Springfield, Swanton, Sylvania, Washington, and Waterville– and municipalities–Waterville, Whitehouse and Holland–within the county to obtain a stormwater discharge permit under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and to develop a management plan that addresses permit requirements to minimize pollution caused by runoff.
Lucas County adopted the first plan in 2003, with updates in 2010 and 2017. A new set of revisions are now necessary to reflect improvements made to the program since the last revision, and to address new permit requirements by the Ohio EPA that took effect in April 2021.
“The focus of our stormwater management plan is to improve water quality in our streams, rivers and Lake Erie by reducing the amount of pollutants that are washed into them as a result of a storm or from various activities in the watershed. The plan does not specifically address drainage or flooding issues, or the repair or installation of storm drains,” said Mike Pniewski, county engineer.
As required by the permit, stormwater management must address six “minimum control measures:” public education, public involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site runoff control, post-construction stormwater management and pollution prevention for local government activities.
A copy of the draft is available online at co.lucas.oh.us/3441/Stormwater-Management-Plan.
Public comment on the existing plan will be accepted through March 15.
Comments on the plan can be provided by the following methods:
•Mail–SWMP comments, Lucas County engineer’s office, 1049 South McCord Road, Holland, Ohio 43528;
•Email–LCEStormwaterInquiries@co.lucas.oh.us, or
•Phone–419-213-2860
For more information, visit: co.lucas.oh.us/engineer.
