BATAVIA, Ohio (June 15, 2016) – As required by Ohio EPA, Clermont County has completed a draft revision to its Storm Water Management Plan, which creates and puts into action a plan that reduces water pollution caused by storm water runoff. Copies of the draft plan are now available online at www.clermontswcd.org; printed copies of the plan are available by contacting the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) at 513-732-7075 ext. 3. Public comments on the draft will be accepted through Aug. 1.
Since 2003, the Ohio EPA has required Clermont County and 15 urbanized townships and municipalities within the county to obtain a storm water discharge permit, and to develop a management plan that addresses pollution caused by storm water runoff. The county’s first plan was adopted by the Board of Clermont County Commissioners in March 2003 and later revised in August 2010. A new set of revisions are now necessary to reflect improvements made to the program over the years and to address new Ohio EPA permit requirements that went into effect in 2014.
“It is important to note that the focus of this plan is improving stream quality by reducing the amount of pollutants that are washed into local creeks and rivers during a storm,” said Clermont SWCD Administrator John McManus.
As required by the Ohio EPA, the Clermont County Storm Water Management Plan addresses six “minimum measures”: public education, public involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site runoff control, post-construction storm water management, and pollution prevention for local government activities. “The plan does not specifically address drainage or flooding problems or the installation or repair of storm sewers,” added McManus.
For more information about the draft Clermont County Storm Water Management Plan, call 513-732-7075 ext. 3, or email jmcmanus@clermontcountyohio.gov.
(Photo above: Goshen High School students plant their rain garden. Rain gardens can help alleviate storm water runoff.)
About the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District:
Established in 1943, the district works with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and farmers to control erosion, promote water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat on agricultural working lands. The district provides technical assistance, grants and cost share funding, educational programming and other resources to urban, rural and suburban landowners to help them address a diverse range of local conservation issues. For more information, visit www.clermontswcd.org or call 513-732-7075.
