Urban Program
Mahoning County Adopts Drainage and Erosion and Sediment Control Manual
On April 21, 2005 , the Board of Mahoning County Commissioners adopted legislation to enhance management of stormwater runoff and to abate soil erosion and sediment from earth-disturbing construction projects of one (1) acre or more. A document, referred to as the "Mahoning County Drainage Criteria and Erosion and Sediment Control Manual" became effective with that resolution. The Manual is in response to guidelines set forth in the Clean Water Act and the Ohio EPA Phase II Storm Water Program mandate. The Mahoning County Engineer, by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, has been named administrator of the Manual.
Specifically the Manual is intended to protect:
Adjacent landowners from property loss and/or damage due to sedimentation, erosion and flooding
Water and habitat quality in streams, lakes and wetlands
County and township ditches, culverts and storm sewers from loss of capacity due to siltation
Land developers from inconsistent application of state, regional and local guidance
The Manual, driven by the OhioEPA Phase II Stormwater Program, requires the development of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for projects disturbing one (1) or more acres of land.
The Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), as outlined in the Mahoning County Stormwater Management Plan, is involved in the plan approval process. The SWCD reviews the SWPPP, determining that appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been designed for a specific site. A checklist is used as a guide for SWPPP development and approval. Specifically, SWCD staff will review the use and location of BMPs and for compliance with OhioEPA Construction General Permit (CGP) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit conditions. During construction, the SWCD performs on-site inspections to ensure that measures are being implemented in accordance with terms of the permits.
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