Since 2003, the U.S. and Ohio Environmental Protection Agencies has required Lawrence County and 4 urbanized townships, (Fayette, Perry, Rome & Union) within the County to obtain a storm water discharge permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and to develop a management plan that addresses permit Requirements to minimize pollution caused by runoff. Lawrence County adopted the first plan in 2003, with updates in 2019. 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 went into effect in April, 2021.
"The focus of our Storm Water Management Program is to improve the water quality in our streams, rivers by reducing the number 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, flooding issues, or the repair or installation of storm drains."
As required by the permit. The storm water management program must address six "minimum control measures." The six measures are: Public Education and Outreach; Public Involvement and Participation; Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination; Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control; Post-Construction Storm Water Runoff Control; and Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Local Government Agencies.
As part of measure #2. a Storm Water Task force was created. The members of the task force include one Trustee from each of the four Townships implementing the plan (Union, Rome, Fayette, and Perry), a County Commissioner, the County Engineer, a representative from the SWCD, and three citizen volunteers. The SWTF meets quarterly to discuss the program.
As part of measure #4, Lawrence County has an earth moving permit that is required if you are going to be doing any earth moving activity that disturbs an acre or more of ground. The permit cost $200 per acre disturbed. It must include a site plan and narrative for the project, along with a copy of the Ohio EPA Notice of Intent application.
"The focus of our Storm Water Management Program is to improve the water quality in our streams, rivers by reducing the number 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, flooding issues, or the repair or installation of storm drains."
As required by the permit. The storm water management program must address six "minimum control measures." The six measures are: Public Education and Outreach; Public Involvement and Participation; Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination; Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control; Post-Construction Storm Water Runoff Control; and Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Local Government Agencies.
As part of measure #2. a Storm Water Task force was created. The members of the task force include one Trustee from each of the four Townships implementing the plan (Union, Rome, Fayette, and Perry), a County Commissioner, the County Engineer, a representative from the SWCD, and three citizen volunteers. The SWTF meets quarterly to discuss the program.
As part of measure #4, Lawrence County has an earth moving permit that is required if you are going to be doing any earth moving activity that disturbs an acre or more of ground. The permit cost $200 per acre disturbed. It must include a site plan and narrative for the project, along with a copy of the Ohio EPA Notice of Intent application.
LAWRENCE COUNTY EARTH MOVING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL EARTH MOVING PERMIT APPLICATION
LAWRENCE COUNTY STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
LAWRENCE COUNTY ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION PLAN
LAWRENCE COUNTY WATER QUALITY RESOLUTION
2018 OHIO EPA CURRENT GENERAL PERMIT (OHC000005)
RAINWATER AND LAND DEVELOPMENT MANUAL
STORM WATER MAPPING
LAWRENCE COUNTY EARTH MOVING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL EARTH MOVING PERMIT APPLICATION
LAWRENCE COUNTY STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
LAWRENCE COUNTY ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION PLAN
LAWRENCE COUNTY WATER QUALITY RESOLUTION
2018 OHIO EPA CURRENT GENERAL PERMIT (OHC000005)
RAINWATER AND LAND DEVELOPMENT MANUAL
STORM WATER MAPPING