Public Meeting to Announce Improvements to Black River Area of Concern
5/13/16
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Lindey Amer
CITIZEN CONTACT: Mike Settles
Public Meeting to Announce Improvements to Black River Area of Concern
Ohio EPA is proposing U.S. EPA remove two beneficial use impairments (BUIs) from the Black River Area of Concern (AOC) and is holding a public meeting to accept comments as part of the removal recommendation process.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at Sunset Terrace at Lakeview Park, 1800 West Erie Avenue, Lorain. Members of the public are welcome to attend to learn about the BUI changes and provide comments.
Significant restoration efforts on the Black River have yielded a much healthier river ecosystem. Ohio EPA and the AOC advisory committee will recommend removing impairment designations for the following two concerns:
- restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption; and
- undesirable algae (Eutrophication).
While the water in the Black River AOC has improved, it should be understood that it has not been restored to pristine condition. Fish consumption advisories still remain, but they are consistent with other consumption advisories in the region. In addition, low dissolved oxygen levels and periodic algal blooms may occur, but are less persistent.
This significant milestone was achieved through the perseverance and collaborative efforts of dedicated local, state and federal partners. There are additional steps to be taken to reach the goal of removing the remaining BUIs. As each BUI removal goal is met, Ohio EPA will notify the community, seek public input and submit additional BUI removal recommendations to U.S. EPA.
To learn more about the current removal recommendations, visit www.blackriveraoc.com. Written comments concerning the recommendations may be submitted at the meeting or mailed to: Ohio EPA Northeast District Office, attn.: Ted Conlin, 2110 East Aurora Road, Twinsburg, OH 44087. Comments also may be emailed to ted.conlin@epa.ohio.gov. The public comment period ends June 8.
-30-
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1972 to consolidate efforts to protect and improve air quality, water quality and waste management in Ohio. Since then, air pollutants dropped by as much as 90 percent; large rivers meeting standards improved from 21 percent to 89 percent; and hundreds of polluting, open dumps were replaced with engineered landfills and an increased emphasis on waste reduction and recycling.
Public Meeting to Announce Improvements to Black River Area of Concern
Source: Ohio Environmental News