Ohio EPA calls for early stakeholder input on beneficial use designation revisions

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) is seeking early stakeholder input as it prepares to revise the beneficial use designation rules for the Maumee River, Sandusky River, Great Miami River, Portage River and Muskingum River drainage basins.

The Ohio EPA is seeking this input to guide its revisions that will address Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 3745-1, allowing the agency to incorporate early comments in its changes.

Beneficial use designations represent water quality goals for the state's waterways such as lakes, rivers and streams. They encompass aquatic life habitats, whether warm water or cold water, recreational uses, such as bathing, primary contact or secondary contact, and water supplies, including public, agricultural or industrial.

The Ohio EPA’s revisions will address changes to the designations for water bodies, adding water bodies to the regulations and confirming the designations that already appear there.

Those interested in providing early feedback can do so via email before Feb. 19. The Ohio EPA will review all comments received, though it will not issue a written response. When the agency has drafted its revisions, it will provide further public comment periods.