Our fourth and final quarter of the year has been a busy one for stormwater permits.
Our fourth and final quarter of 2024 was a busy one for stormwater permits. We issued 17 permits for commercial projects between October 1 and December 31. We also issued 65 residential permits during that period, with 44 of them being exemptions.
On August 8, we presented information on Richland County’s stormwater permitting process during a Lunch & Learn hosted by the Mansfield Association of Realtors. The purpose of the Lunch & Learn…
On August 8, we presented information on Richland County’s stormwater permitting process during a Lunch & Learn hosted by the Mansfield Association of Realtors. The purpose of the Lunch & Learn was to educate local realtors on the intricacies of permitting in the county so that they may better assist their clients.
Also presenting was US Army Corps of Engineers Realty Specialist Eric Dowing who provided participants information on the Army Corps’ flowage easements. According to the Army Corp, flowage easements are non-federal lands where the U.S. Government has acquired rights to back up water if necessary (to a certain elevation).
Flowage easements exist in Richland County and stretch for miles upstream from the Charles Mill and Pleasant Hill Dams. Knowledge of flowage easements is critical because land use within the easement is heavily restricted. Thank you to the Mansfield Association of Realtors for hosting the event and allowing us to speak with their members about permitting in Richland County!
Why are we so blue?, Stormwater Permit numbers, and MS4 happenings.
We recently traded our old, yellow, high-visibility vests for new blue ones with our logo! These vests will help keep us safe and stand out when we do stormwater inspections or other fieldwork.
Our Stormwater Technicians regularly inspect permitted projects, visiting projects in all 18 townships about once every other month. They also inspect storm sewer outfalls.
If you see the blue vest, know that Richland Soil & Water is hard at work!
This quarter, our office issued 87 residential permits (this includes all residential & agricultural permits, fee exemptions, and permit exemptions), up from 66 last quarter.
We also issued 6 commercial permits. We’re as busy as ever.
Richland Soil & Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) manages Richland County’s Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations. For more info, click on the link below.
Successful Screenings – MS4/NPDES Update
This quarter we focused on conducting dry weather screening of stormwater outfalls in Madison Township as part of our ongoing MS4 efforts. We successfully screened 4 outfalls for signs of illicit discharge or pollution.
These screenings are an essential part of our work to ensure stormwater runoff remains clean and free from harmful pollutants. We only have 6 more dry weather screenings to complete this permit term!
The MS4/NPDES permit is a crucial regulatory measure designed to manage and reduce pollution from stormwater runoff in urbanized areas. For more information, click on the links below.
Following our 2024 “Pollution Prevention” theme for the MS4 program, composting is one of the easiest ways for the average person to keep food scraps and other organic matter out of the landfill…
Following our 2024 “Pollution Prevention” theme for the MS4 program, composting is one of the easiest ways for the average person to keep food scraps and other organic matter out of the landfill. Nearly 1/3 of all food produced is wasted (~1.3 billion tons each year) and around $165 billion a year is spent managing that waste (data from TED Ed, link below). Composting is a sustainable practice that can coincide with organic gardening.
“Urban Composting” is a practice that can be performed in a city setting with limited space. In this article, I’ll discuss two unique and viable options to get you started: vermicomposting and using compost tumblers.
Vermicomposting uses earthworms to decompose organic matter (see Figure 1). The byproduct of vermicomposting is vermicast, a substance rich in humus, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, and beneficial soil microbes. Vermicast can help neutralize soil pH and improve plant health and nutrient uptake. Some folks refer to it as “Black Gold”. Worms can be somewhat sensitive and picky, so avoid putting spicy foods or anything acidic in your vermicompost. You don’t want to upset the balance!
Traditional composting can be easily performed in a tumbler or similar bin at home. Again, this option does not require a ton of space, and the closed bin keeps any unpleasant smell contained. The composter needs to be turned often—and that is most of the maintenance required. Adding composted organic matter to your soil is a fantastic way to supplement it. Your plants and the planet will thank you.
Stormwater Permitting | MS4/NPDES
Stormwater Permitting
Richland Soil & Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) is the manager of Richland County’s Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations.
Stormwater Permitting | MS4/NPDES
Richland Soil & Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) is the manager of Richland County’s Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations. Any building projects that entail earth disturbance and/or new impervious surface are permitted through our office (applies to all unincorporated areas in Richland County, and the Village of Lexington, only).
For more info on our Stormwater Permit process and how to complete the process fully online using GeoPermits, click or tap the links!
MS4/NPDES Program Update
The MS4/NPDES permit is a crucial regulatory measure designed to manage and reduce pollution from stormwater runoff in urbanized areas. The permit, part of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, specifically targets Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in communities with populations of 100,000 or more. By mandating the implementation of effective stormwater management practices, the MS4/NPDES permit plays a vital role in minimizing pollutants entering local water bodies.
Sam and Zoe have been focusing on illicit discharge detection and elimination. This quarter, they dry weather screened five outfalls in Madison Township. Through these comprehensive efforts, Richland SWCD strives to ensure effective stormwater management, helping to prevent pollution and protect local water bodies.
Fore more information on MS4 in Richland County, click the link below.
Single Use Plastics
In 2024, the focus of the MS4/NPDES permit theme is Pollution Prevention, highlighting its crucial role in protecting public health, preserving aquatic ecosystems, and ensuring clean water for future generations.
In 2024, the focus of the MS4/NPDES permit theme is Pollution Prevention, highlighting its crucial role in protecting public health, preserving aquatic ecosystems, and ensuring clean water for future generations.
Along with regulatory efforts, reducing the usage of single-use plastics emerges as a pivotal strategy in combating pollution. These plastics significantly contribute to stormwater pollution often ending up in waterways, where they harm wildlife and degrade ecosystems.
Examples of single-use plastics include take-out containers, straws, cups/bottles, and grocery bags. When aquatic organisms encounter these items, studies show they frequently ingest them, mistaking them for food, or become ensnared. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes, “Scientists have observed ingestion or entanglement in plastic waste by at least 558 species” with this number expected to rise as more waste enters water bodies.
Most plastics are non-biodegradable, breaking down into smaller pieces known as microplastics that persist indefinitely. National Geographic reports, “Microplastics have been found in marine life ranging from plankton to whales, in commercial seafood, and even in drinking water.” The impacts of microplastics are still being studied, but both aquatic animals and humans inadvertently consume them, posing a significant environmental and health concern.
How can individuals help prevent plastic pollution? Simple actions like recycling plastics and reducing your reliance on single-use plastics can make a profound difference. Opt for reusable grocery totes instead of plastic bags, switch to reusable water bottles instead of disposable ones, and explore alternatives like reusable sandwich bags, wraps, and straws. Going further, consider picking up plastic litter in your surroundings with gloves to prevent it from reaching waterways.
Together, these efforts can significantly decrease plastic pollution in our waters and contribute to safeguarding aquatic environments for future generations.
More info below! Click or tap!
New H2Ohio Sign-Ups!
We are pleased to announce enrollment is again open in Richland County for the H2Ohio Program for crop year 2025!
If you or a farmer you know missed out or passed up the first opportunity to participate in this program…
We are pleased to announce enrollment is again open in Richland County for the H2Ohio Program for crop year 2025!
If you or a farmer you know missed out or passed up the first opportunity to participate in this program, now is a great time to join! A nutrient management plan accounting for all N-P-K nutrients is required to participate in the program. Applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis. The deadline to sign up is May 31s.
For more info, please visit our H2Ohio webpage or give Jordan or Evan a call (see contacts on last page).
RSWCD is the manager of Richland County’s Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations. Any building projects that entail earth disturbance and/or new impervious surface are permitted through our office (applies to all unincorporated areas in Richland County, and the Village of Lexington, only).
Here is the first quarter of 2024 by the numbers, in terms of Stormwater permits issued by our office:
For more info on our Stormwater Permit process and how to complete the process fully online using GeoPermits, view our documents!
You read that correctly. This year, we will be burying at least one pair of underwear in each of Richland County’s eighteen townships in different types of soil. We’re enlisting the help of local landowners and partners to find a patch of earth and leave our undergarments in a hole.
Have we gone mad? Nope. This is a time tested experiment to showcase soil health. A healthy soil has good air and water flow, and is teeming with micro-biotic organisms, fostering an excellent environment for crops to grow in.
How will this work? Undies go underground in late spring. We wait sixty days. We dig them back up. We hang them up for everyone to see. A healthy soil is excellent at breaking down organic matter, like cotton briefs. We bet you get the idea.
Come see our soiled undies at the County Fair this year and learn about the importance of soil health!
It’s 2024 and there is now a new MS4 theme! The OEPA (Ohio Environmental Protection Agency) defines pollution prevention as “any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source before it is created.”
Pollution has many negative effects on human health and the environment. The good news is, preventing pollution is something anyone can do. How? Capturing or slowing water down before it leaves your property! Both rain barrels and rain gardens are great and aesthetically pleasing ways of accomplishing these goals.
If you are interested in getting a rain barrel or rain garden, we can help you accomplish this! Discover more about rain barrel, rain gardens, and the MS4 program by clicking on the links below.
RSWCD has begun doing more cooperative agreement work for USDA-NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service). This means that RSWCD and USDA-NRCS are teaming up to help implement federal cost-share programs in Richland County. Technicians Jordan Keller and Evan Stern are excited for the new work! And technician Matt Wallace has already been surveying waterways for USDA.
If you or someone you know are interested in USDA-NRCS cost-share programs, feel free to contact any of these technicians, District Conservationist Jason Ruhl or Soil Conservationist Jordan Miller for more information. Read more about the cost-share programs below.
What is a floodplain? A floodplain is an area adjacent to a river or stream that becomes inundated with water during times of heavy and or prolonged rainfall. Over the years these areas have been mapped to show areas of high, moderate, and low-flood risk in a series of zones. These maps are officially known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
Communities use FIRMs to set minimum building requirements for coastal areas and floodplains; lenders use them to determine flood insurance needs and costs. Building within the floodplain comes with many challenges which can be costly, especially if hydraulic & hydrologic (H&H) studies or additional permits are required. Additional building material costs (e.g. to elevate the entire structure out of danger) may also be necessary.
To view Richland County’s FIRMs you can go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Flood Map Service Center or visit our office.
It’s 2024 which means we have a new MS4 theme!
But first, what is MS4? In addition to requirements Richland County landowners follow for earthmoving activities through the Richland County Stormwater and Erosion Control Program,
It’s 2024 which means we have a new MS4 theme!
But first, what is MS4? In addition to requirements Richland County landowners follow for earthmoving activities through the Richland County Stormwater and Erosion Control Program, communities with 1,000 or more people per square mile must follow the Stormwater Non Point Discharge System (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) (NPDES) General Permit for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) to further effectively manage water pollution. The Richland County Commissioners are mandated by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) to create and manage this added accountability for stormwater runoff. The NPDES (MS4) communities in Richland County are: City of Mansfield, City of Ontario, Village of Lexington, Madison Township, Mifflin Township, Springfield Township and Washington Township.
This year’s theme will focus on “Pollution Prevention.” The EPA defines pollution prevention as “any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source before it is created.” It is important to prioritize doing this because pollution has many negative effects on human health and the environment.
The good news is, preventing pollution is something everyone can do. Throughout 2024 we will share different pollution prevention techniques to apply in your daily lives.
We all know that road salt is good, right? Road salt helps melt the snow and ice on the roads we drive on, so they are not as slippery during winter storms, but… is there a negative side to road salt? Unfortunately, there is, and the effects can be substantial.
Road salt can cause damage to your vehicles, health, and ecosystems. Have you ever noticed how vehicles primarily driven in states that use road salt rust out a lot quicker than vehicles in states that do not use road salt? Road salt contributes to cars rusting. Americans spread more than 20 million tons of salt on our roadways each winter.
So, the question is, how does all this salt affect us and the environment? First, it causes our roadways and bridges to break down. Then the salt goes into our waterways. If water pipes are in poor shape, lead may flake off and enter our drinking water potentially causing health problems.
Good water quality is important for everyone. We are especially mindful of it at Richland SWCD because it’s one of our areas of expertise. Did you know in Richland County, three watersheds above the Continental Divide flow to Lake Erie and five watersheds below the Continental Divide flow to the Ohio River and ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico? We don’t want to be a bad neighbor and pass along contaminated water to our neighbors. Find out more about watersheds and the Continental Divide in Richland County on our website.
An example of poor water quality was the added nutrients in water that contributed to the harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie and the oxygen dead zone in the Gulf.
We need to start utilizing more feasible alternatives that keep the roads safe while not damaging our health and environment. Placing sand on top of ice and snow provides traction for shoes and tires, but also absorbs sunlight to melt ice faster. Another alternative to salt as a de-icer is to use beet juice. Beet juice allows for ice to melt at lower temperatures, and it is gentle on roads, plants, grass, cars, and concrete.
If salt must be used on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots, please apply it sparingly, so that you can help with Pollution Prevention.
As the temperature goes down and the ground beings to freeze, you may notice ponding in your yard. This may be an indicator of a drainage problem.
As the temperature goes down and the ground beings to freeze, you may notice ponding in your yard. This may be an indicator of a drainage problem. If the ponding water hasn’t drained into the soil within 24 hours, consider adding soil to allow the water to shed. Another option is to install tile to help drain the area.
Another factor to consider is how the proposed solution will affect your neighbors. Will the solution cause a drainage problem for them? We encourage all landowners and residents to work with each other to avoid problems down the road.
Did you know that in addition to offering technical services and advice, we also provide educational information to landowners about what they can and cannot do as it pertains to drainage? Before you take any steps to fix a drainage problem, please contact us at Contact@richlandswcd.net or 419.747.8686 for information. You may also consult our website for good resources on drainage and stormwater.
While driving around Richland County, have you noticed new green and white signs with Continental Divide and our logo at the top?
While driving around Richland County, have you noticed new green and white signs with Continental Divide and our logo at the top? The signs are part of an initiative to create more awareness of the Continental Divide and watersheds in Richland County. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) gave us a grant to have road signs printed showing when you are entering and leaving the Lake Erie and Ohio River Watersheds. Richland County Engineer Adam Gove and his staff placed the signs at designated spots along the Divide line.
To further increase awareness, enter the Continental Divide Contest. All you need to do is take a selfie with your smartphone at a sign, post it to social media with the sign location and #RCD.
Because we are expected to be in the path of the total solar eclipse slated for April 8, contest participants following the guidelines will receive a free pair of solar eclipse glasses. One entry per person due to the limited supplies of glasses. Glasses are available while supplies last and may be picked up at the office.
To help with the contest and learn more about the Continental Divide in Richland County, visit our Drive the Continental Divide web page.
The signs are one example of how we partner with other organizations for the betterment of the county. Thank you to MWCD and the Richland County Engineering Department to help bring the signs into fruition.