Ashtabula River Area of Concern

What is an AOC and a RAP?

Background

The Ashtabula River lies in extreme northeast Ohio, flowing into Lake Erie's central basin at the city of Ashtabula. Its drainage basin covers an area of 137 square miles, with 8.9 square miles in western Pennsylvania. Major tributaries include Fields Brook, Hubbard Run and Ashtabula Creek. Iroquois inhabitants referred to the river as the Hash-tah-buh-lah or “river of many fish." The city of Ashtabula, with an estimated population of 21,633 (Ref: 1990 Census) is the only significant urban center in the watershed, the rest of the drainage basin being predominantly rural and agricultural. There is concentrated industrial development around Fields Brook and east of the river mouth.

From the 1940s through the late '70s, unregulated discharges and mismanagement of hazardous waste caused the river's sediments seriously contaminated and degraded its biological communities. Regular dredging is being prevented due to the contaminated sediments, seriously impeding both commercial and recreational navigation. Since 1983, a fish consumption advisory has been posted for the Area of Concern (AOC). In 1988, the Ashtabula River RAP Advisory Council agreed to focus upon an AOC defined as the lower two miles of the Ashtabula River, Ashtabula Harbor and the adjacent Lake Erie nearshore. A variety of agencies and organizations contribute to the Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) including the Ashtabula River Partnership, Ohio Sea Grant, Ashtabula Soil and Water Conservation District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, United States Enivironmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), angler groups, local businesses and industries, marinas, port industries, local governments, economic development offices, Kent State University and unaffiliated citizens.

Beneficial Use Impairments

Six of 14 use impairments have been identified through the RAP process. These environmental problems are caused by sedimentation, cultural eutrophication (nutrients), toxic substances (PCBs, heavy metals, chlorinated organic compounds) and habitat modification (marina construction, commercial shipping). Sources for these contaminants include bottom sediments, municipal and industrial discharges, commercial development, hazardous waste disposal sites, combined sewer overflows (CSOs), Fields Brook discharge, coal handling facilities and railyards.

Restrictions on Fish & Wildlife Consumption:
In 1983, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) issued an all-species fish consumption advisory for the Ashtabula River AOC. The advisory was based on levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene, pentachlororbenzene and tetrachloroethane in fish tissue.

As of June 30, 1997, the ODH revised the advisory for the Ashtabula River AOC. The 1997 advisory is based on PCB and mercury levels in fish tissue and suggests restricted consumption for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and common carp in the Ashtabula River AOC. Restricted consumption of walleye, freshwater drum, carp, steelhead trout, white perch, coho salmon, chinook salmon (19" and over), smallmouth bass, white bass, channel catfish and lake trout are suggested in Lake Erie.

No data have been found to suggest that wildlife consumption is impaired in the Ashtabula River AOC. The RAP has evaluated this category as “UNKNOWN” rather than “UNIMPAIRED” due to a lack of information. The RAP is seeking partners to undertake research in this area in order that an evaluation may be made.

GLIN: Fish Consumption Advisories; Wildlife; Toxic Contaminants

Tainting of Fish & Wildlife Flavor:
No data have been found to suggest this is impaired in the Ashtabula River AOC. The presence of tainting chemicals may impair taste, but the existing fish advisory has precluded a creel survey. The RAP has evaluated this category as “UNLIKELY."

GLIN: Fish; Wildlife

Degradation of Fish & Wildlife Populations:
Ohio EPA’s biological indices of fish population conditions reveal a very poor to fair fish community in the Ashtabula River AOC and the indices were below applicable Ohio warmwater habitat aquatic life use criteria. Although fish communities have recovered somewhat in historically polluted areas of the lower Ashtabula River, especially downstream of Fields Brook, pollution-tolerant species continue to dominate the population composition. No data have been found to suggest that wildlife populations are impaired in the Ashtabula River AOC. The RAP has evaluated this category as “UNKNOWN” rather than “UNIMPAIRED." Anecdotal information indicates Ashtabula County, which is located along the Great Atlantic flyway, has more birds than any other Ohio county. Every year, during migratory periods, rare and uncommon bird species are observed around the lake nearshore in Ashtabula County. The RAP is seeking partners to undertake research in this area in order that an evaluation may be made.

GLIN: Fish; Wildlife

Fish Tumors or Other Deformities:
The Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan Stage 1 Report contains several references to fish tumors and deformities. Local anglers have reported the presence of tumors and lesions on fish. A 1989 Ohio EPA biological survey found a community of brown bullhead in the area inside the west breakwall with a high incidence of lip and skin tumors and precancerous conditions. In 1991, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) examined 98 brown bullheads, ranging from 3 to 7 years old, in the Ashtabula River AOC (harbor, breakwater and river) for evidence of cancers. The 1994 USFWS Final Report found external abnormalities, such as skin discolorations, stubbed barbels, and lip papillomas and both preneoplastic and neoplastic liver lesions in bullheads from all three areas. The USFWS fish tumor survey provides a body of evidence that is consistent with, but not proof of, the hypothesis of adverse effects in fish from some environmental factor, i.e, chemical causation. The RAP is seeking partners to undertake research in this area in order that an evaluation may be made.

GLIN: Fish; Toxic Contaminants

Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproductive Problems:
No data have been found to suggest this is impaired in the Ashtabula River AOC. The RAP has evaluated this category as “UNKNOWN” rather than “UNIMPAIRED” due to a lack of information. The RAP is seeking partners to undertake research in this area in order that an evaluation may be made.

GLIN: Birds

Degradation of Benthos:
Benthic macroinvertebrate communities throughout the Ashtabula River AOC remain impaired, especially with regard to species density and diversity. 1992 narrative evaluations of ICI scores (Ohio EPA measures of benthic macroinvertebrate population conditions) ranged from high upstream of the AOC to fair downstream of Fields Brook in flowing sections of the river. The major impacts are from habitat destruction, and marina development and associated boat traffic, although some chemical impacts were noted near the confluence of Fields Brook. In the harbor, oligochaetes, especially Tubificidae, are the predominant species that are among the most tolerant to gross organic enrichment. In the nearshore, populations were indicative of moderate organic enrichment and similar to the community found elsewhere around the southern central basin nearshore.

Restrictions on Dredging Activities:
This impairment is the primary reason for the delay in implementing a RAP for the Ashtabula River AOC. Sediments in the Ashtabula River AOC are classified by U.S. EPA as “heavily polluted” due to heavy metals, PCBs and chlorinated organic compounds, which currently preclude open-water disposal. Accordingly, much of the lower river has not been dredged since 1962. With the exception of a small area downstream of the 5th Street bridge, dredged Ashtabula Harbor sediments have no restrictions on disposal (approximately 100,000-150,000 cubic yards are dredged triennially). Disposal of the “heavily polluted” sediments, at or above 50 parts per million, is regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The TSCA sediments must be disposed in a confined disposal facility, for which the Ashtabula River RAP and other stakeholders are currently developing detailed design plans.

GLIN: Dredging

Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae:
The lower Ashtabula River and Harbor are rated eutrophic. The nearshore area has been rated as borderline eutrophic/mesotrophic (Rathke 1984), indicating low loading of phosphorus and other nutrients from the Ashtabula River. No algae blooms occur. Due to lack of consistent monitoring, there are only limited recent data on nutrients, temperature, dissolved oxygen and other related parameters. However, current aesthetics and historical data indicate eutrophication is not a major issue in the Ashtabula River AOC.

Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption, or Taste & Odor:
No taste or odor problems have been reported from the city of Ashtabula water treatment plant. Finished water meets all drinking water standards, and there are no restrictions on drinking water consumption. Raw water analysis up to June 1994 (the most recent data) indicated no violations of water quality standards, although historical monitoring records indicated one violation of water quality standards for metals in December 1985. Ohio EPA stopped ambient sampling at the water intake inside the plant in June 1986, due to its consistently good operating record. The RAP has evaluated this category as “UNIMPAIRED."

GLIN: Water Quality

Beach Closings:
Two public swimming beaches are located in the AOC for which regular monitoring is conducted. This is not a problem in the AOC. The RAP has evaluated this category as “UNIMPAIRED."

GLIN: Beaches; Recreation

Degradation of Aesthetics:
Muddy water and debris are sometimes detected in the AOC following heavy rainstorms. This, however, is not a significant problem in the AOC. The RAP has evaluated this category as “UNIMPAIRED."

Degradation of Phytoplankton & Zooplankton Populations:
No indices currently exist of phytoplankton community health or ecosystem health based on the phytoplankton community structure. No standards exist for zooplankton communities as well. No studies of zooplankton communities have been made in the riverine portion of the AOC, and limited information is available for the nearshore Lake Erie area. The algal periphyton community structure was analyzed for the Ashtabula River estuary and the findings indicated that the Ashtabula system supports an algal community representative of a cleaner water flora. ( Ref: Ecology and Assessment of the Algae of Four Lake Erie Estuaries, G. Sgro and J. Johansen, John Carroll University, 1995.) In the Stage 1 Report, the RAP evaluated this category as “UNKNOWN." Due to the more recent information, this use needs to be re-evaluated. The RAP is seeking partners to undertake research in this area in order that a comprehensive evaluation may be made.

Added Cost to Agriculture & Industry:
No data have been found to suggest this is an impairment in the Ashtabula River AOC. The RAP has evaluated this category as “UNIMPAIRED."

GLIN: Economy

Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat:
From the 24th Street bridge to the river mouth, fish habitat is impaired while wildlife habitat is impaired in places, due to the construction of marinas and commercial shipping facilities. In the navigation channel, the combination of minimal riparian cover, siltation of bottom substrates, low gradient, preponderance of vertical bulkheads of concrete and sheet piling, periodic maintenance dredging of the outer harbor, and loss of natural substrates contribute to this segment being impaired for both fish and wildlife. Shoreline alterations, maintenance dredging, and the use of the littoral zone for development result in the nearshore Lake Erie area considered probably impaired in some places.

GLIN: Habitat; Wildlife

RAP Status

The Ashtabula River RAP Advisory Council began in 1988 when the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the designated lead agency for developing RAPs in Ohio, established a volunteer-based group to develop an Ashtabula River RAP. The advisory council represents stakeholders from local, regional, state and federal agencies, businesses and industry, special interest groups, Ohio Sea Grant and unaffiliated citizens. Ohio EPA has served as the secretariat for the group, published newsletters, and in December 1991, produced the Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan Stage 1 Report identifying six beneficial use impairments, and sources and causes of these impairments. A review of the six use impairments made it clear that they could all be successfully addressed if the contaminated sediment in the river were dredged and placed in a monitored managed environment, i.e, an upland confined disposal facility. For several years, RAP members strove to generate funding and expertise to produce a RAP to accomplish this critical task. In January 1994, as an alternative to the impending designation of the lower river as an extension of the Fields Brook Superfund site, the RAP Council voted to support creation of the Ashtabula River Partnership (ARP). The ARP was a more comprehensive, structured attempt to get the river dredged with more than 50 official partners, including U.S. EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Ohio EPA as well as many local affiliates. Several committees were established to support the various activities of the ARP, a local ARP office was set up and a local coordinator hired. The nonprofit Ashtabula River Foundation was created to serve as the financial arm of the ARP. While the ARP proceeds in its intense effort to dredge the river, the RAP Council continues to look at other issues in the AOC as well, such as habitat enhancement and restoration.

Schedule

Meetings:

RAP Advisory Council Meetings held quarterly in January, April, August, November, usually on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
River Partnership Project and Coordinating Committee Meetings held monthly, usually on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Resource Committee Meetings held monthly, usually on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Outreach Committee Meetings held monthly, usually on the second Tuesday of the month.
Quarterly Update River Partnership Meetings held in January, April, August, November, usually on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Technical Advisory and Work Group Meetings held on an as needed basis.

RAP Milestones:

2000: Revised and Updated main text(s) of draft Ashtabula River Partnership CMP and EIS.
December 1997: Distribution of the draft CMP/EIS for formal public review and comment.
October 1997: RAP Council distributed its second survey to 400 (more) registered county voters to poll community awareness and attitudes on river cleanup efforts and their willingness to pay for cleanup.
June 1997: Completion of ARP review of preliminary draft Ashtabula River CMP/EIS.
May 1997: At an Ashtabula County Economic Profiles Breakfast, Dave Ullrich, U.S. EPA Region 5 Deputy Adminstrator, told the community that U.S. EPA has placed on hold designation of the Ashtabula River AOC as a federal Superfund site due to significant progress made by the Ashtabula River Partnership.
April 1997: Completion of preliminary draft of the Ashtabula River CMP/EIS.
February 1997: Selection of one candidate site in northern Ashtabula County for upland CDF.
October 1996: RAP Council distributed its survey to 500 registered county voters to poll community awareness and attitudes on river cleanup efforts. Survey showed high community awareness about river pollution and low awareness of the RAP Council and Partnership efforts to design and implement cleanup.
September 1996: RAP Council received final Ohio State University report: Ashtabula Harbor Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis showing Port of Ashtabula is integral part of county’s economic and fiscal health.
June 1996: Receipt of $500,000 from U.S. EPA Coastal Environmental Management (Clean Water Act Section 104 (b)(3) funds, matched one hundred percent by Fields Brook stakeholders, that are being applied toward detailed project design for the dewatering and disposal facilities and also, the scope of dredging.
December 1995: ARP announced two candidate disposal sites for CDF and detailed site investigation of both to drive selection of one final site.
August 1995: Formation of the ARP Speakers Bureau.
July 1995: Hired a full-time local Coordinator.
June 1995: ARP announced shortlist of five candidate confined disposal facility (CDF) sites for dredged river sediments after completion of a comprehensive evaluation matrix to review 40 properties in northern Ashtabula County .
June 1995: Completion of sediment sampling and limited Toxic Contaminant Leaching Procedure (TCLP) testing to determine volumes and contaminants associated with sediment in river sideslopes and determine if sediments contain hazardous waste.
June 1995: Initiated work on the Comprehensive Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (CMP/EIS) for river cleanup.
May 1995: Ohio EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sign a $600,000 agreement under Section 401 of the 1990 Water Resources Development Act, the first agreement of its kind in the nation, to fund technical, planning, and engineering assistance to the Ashtabula River AOC.
March 1995: Approval of ARP By-laws.
August 1994: Initial Organizational ARP Meeting.
July 1994: Ashtabula River Partnership (ARP) formed. ARP Charter signed by numerous interested parties.
January 1994: RAP Council votes to support creation of Ashtabula River Partnership.
November 1993: Interim dredging completed in AOC to remove approximately 30,000 cubic yards of nontoxic sediment to alleviate a serious recreational navigation hazard in the river caused by sediment buildup.
December 1991: Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan Stage 1 Report completed.
March 1988: Formation of the Ashtabula River RAP Advisory Council.
October 1987: Ohio EPA’s public information meeting sets the stage for initiation of the Ashtabula RAP.

Progress and Achievements

Considerable progress has been made toward planning and designing a comprehensive RAP, due to the focused effort and vision for comprehensive river cleanup among stakeholders represented on the RAP Council and River Partnership. The partnership has been able to generate more than $2 million in funds from local stakeholders, foundations and agencies to provide staffing, planning and engineering design support to pursue RAP goals and implement a comprehensive RAP for the benefit of the Ashtabula River AOC. RAP partners have completed numerous studies and conducted activities to address beneficial use impairments in the AOC, provide outreach to the local community, and move the remedial action plan toward implementation.

Highlights of recent progress and achievements include the following: (from the 2000 Ashtabula River RAP Activities and Accomplishments report)

Revised and Updated main text(s) of draft Ashtabula River Partnership CMP and EIS.
Preparation of a Radiological Risk Assessment for dredged Ashtabula River sediments.
Revised and Updated Geotechnical Engineering Report for Ashtabula River Landfill and Transfer/Dewatering Site(s).
Conducted HTRW Evaluation of Alternative Proposed Landfill at former RMI property and Transfer/Dewatering Site(s).
Preparation of Landfill Design Criteria Report for preliminary (conceptual) design to satisfy USACE Feasibility Study requirements.
Finalized an Ashtabula River Value Engineering study, an USACE requirement for construction projects in excess of $2 million, to produce improved performance and cost savings through employment of alternate methods and materials.
Revised and Updated Project Cost Estimates (from 1996 to 2000 dollars).
Preparation of Cost-Sharing and Non-Federal Responsibilities Report & Appendices.
Revised and Updated Environmental Justice Assessment.
Developed six Ashtabula River restoration project proposals and economic and ecological valuation models for same to support work for a legal claim under CERCLA Natural Resource Damage Assessment authority, all of which is being coordinated with the Ashtabula River remediation project.
Numerous reviews of various revisions of the draft August 1999 Ashtabula River Partnership CMP/EIS and its Technical Appendices.
Contracted a local video crew to develop ideas for script and video, as well as future public service announcements (PSAs) to generate comprehensive public support, education and awareness of Ashtabula River remedial action plan.
Creation through final rule ORC 3734.28.1 by Ohio EPA of Fund 541, an interest-bearing account for the accrual of $7 million total dedicated exclusively for Ashtabula River remediation, thus satisfying a critical USACE requirement for nonfederal costshare of the river remedial project.
Finalized an Ashtabula River Design Agreement between USACE and and city of Ashtabula Port Authority (PA) whereby city PA agreed to be the designated local (nonfederal) sponsor for the Ashtabula River remedial action plan, thus satisfying another critical USACE requirement to complete Feasibility Study Phase, and enable future federal funding to be applied toward detailed engineering design plans for dredging, dewatering, and disposal of contaminated river sediments.
Conducted radiological, PCB and PAH testing of river sediment at 25 stations to fill in data gaps and adequately characterize radiological constituents associated with river sediments, especially for the Ohio Department of Health.
Preparation of a Radiological Risk Assessment for Resident-Farmer and Worker-Dredger scenarios.

1990 and 1995 Sediment Sampling Studies

Forty sampling locations selected in 1995 effectively filled in PCB data gaps from the 1990 Woodward-Clyde Study where 450 sediment samples were collected in the two-mile AOC. The 1995 sampling helped to define the concentration and location of PCB contamination, especially in river sideslopes, and both confirmed and refined areas of contamination of PCBs at and above 50 parts per million (ppm), for which disposal is regulated under the Toxic Sustances Control Act (TSCA). The 1995 PCB sampling data was then added to the 1990 database to determine sediment volumes that will be regulated for disposal under TSCA, if the river were dredged. Eight samples also were taken in 1995 to determine if dredged sediment had the potential to be regulated for disposal as a hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This was done by testing sediment under the TCLP for heavy metals, semivolatile organic and volatile organic compounds. No compounds were detected that exceeded the RCRA regulatory thresholds. This means no samples failed the TCLP test, and therefore dredged river sediment will not be subject to RCRA regulations.

Comprehensive Evaluation Matrix for Suitable Dredged Sediment Disposal Sites

In little more than a year, the ARP siting committee developed a comprehensive site evaluation matrix and reviewed 40 local properties for a suitable upland disposal site for dredged contaminated sediments. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, estimates this level of effort normally requires at least two years. Early on, the community agreed that the best location for an upland disposal site would be in Ashtabula County, north of State Route 90, in close proximity to the river and the historical pollution sources. The evaluation matrix incorporated numerous federal, state and local siting criteria, including location restrictions near or in parks, recreation areas, gravel pits, quarries, sole source aquifers and setbacks from natural areas, property lines, domiciles, surface water and floodplains.

$600,000 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Section 401 Agreement

Much of the work completed in the AOC in recent years was funded under the authority of Section 401 of the 1990 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). In May 1995, Ohio EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, signed a WRDA Section 401 agreement to authorize the Corps to provide technical, planning and engineering assistance to the Ashtabula River AOC in the development and implementation of its RAP. Section 401 requires a shared cost of 50% federal and 50% nonfederal. The 1995 Ashtabula agreement was the first time this authority had ever been used in the nation. Major work products provided by the agreement include:

development of a disposal site evaluation matrix,
geotechnical (soil borings)and environmental analysis of one or more candidate disposal sites to determine their suitability for landfill construction,
limited sediment sampling in river sideslopes and TCLP testing,
development of a CMP/EIS; and,
development of three dredging scenarios using Geographic Information System (GIS) applications.

Development of a draft CMP/EIS

Normally, the Army Corps is solely responsible for preparing a CMP/EIS for a dredging project, according to the National Environmental Policy Act requirements. However, not long after the partnership formation, it was agreed that the Corps would act as project manager for the partnership and the draft CMP/EIS would be prepared as a partnership document. This decision represented significant benefits to AOC stakeholders in tapping their combined expertise, knowledge and experience with local property owners, engineering design for sediment dredging, dewatering, and disposal, community infrastructure, local and regional planning issues, network of contacts, and resources. On April 30, 1997, the Army Corps presented to the partnership project committee a preliminary CMP/EIS to review and revise, as necessary.

RAP Community Survey

In 1996, members of the RAP Council and Partnership Outreach Committee developed and distributed a survey to 500 registered county voters to poll community awareness and attitudes about river cleanup efforts. As a result of the initial survey mailing and subsequent followup calls, the overall response rate was 65%, or 322 respondents. Survey results showed high awareness of the pollution problem and low awareness of the efforts of the RAP Council or Partnership to formulate a RAP. Many of those who indicated high awareness of the problem and the ongoing cleanup effort appeared to be users of the river or Lake Erie resource, either as an angler, boater, beachgoer or visitor to the Ashtabula Harbor district. The survey provided a clear signal that more outreach is necessary, especially to women and non-users of the resource.

Ohio EPA Intensive Survey

In 1995, the Ohio EPA conducted an intensive survey of the Ashtabula River watershed (from river mile (RM) 27.2 to RM 2.3, and both branches) as part of their 5-year basin monitoring program. Chemical, biological and sediment samples were collected, and physical attributes of approximately 14 sampling sites were recorded. The report on the results of this survey, completed in January 1997, indicated that the Ashtabula River, including the west and east branches, met the warmwater habitat (WWH) biological criteria at six of seven locations sampled giving 27.3 miles in full attainment of aquatic life uses. One location, RM 19.1, covering 0.3 miles, was in partial attainment of WWH criteria due largely to effects from intermittent flows. Low summer flows limit the ability of the river to assimilate pollutants, and high fecal coliform counts (>100/100ml) at several locations following a rain event suggested anthropogenic stresses, either on-site sewage disposal or, in the upper watershed, sporadic livestock access was contributing to the partial attainment. Water quality data indicated that organic enrichment was secondary to intermittent flows. Conversely, the benefits of conservation farming practices paired with intact riparian vegetation and low density development were manifest, especially in the middle reaches, by the relative abundance of mimic shiner and bigeye chub, species that require clear, silt-free habitats to thrive. (Ref : 1997. Biological and Water Quality Study of the Grand and Ashtabula River Basins. Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water., Columbus, Ohio.)

Community Outreach Strategy

A local public relations consultant has volunteered considerable time and expertise to devise and implement a practical 2-year outreach strategy for the RAP partners. Key components of the Ashtabula outreach strategy include:

an active local Speakers Bureau that is much in demand regionally for radio talk shows, television interviews, civic events;
holding press conferences to announce milestones and inform the public on remedial options being explored;
providing written news releases to regional media to explain project objectives, initiatives and progress;
co-sponsoring area schools environmental essay contests; and,
co-sponsoring a 6-month YOUth LEADERship class with area high school youth in which the Ashtabula River is used as case study to highlight the importance of watershed management.

Outlook

Since 1994, the Ashtabula River public/private partnership process has been very successful generating seed monies, completing relevant studies and making steady progress toward implementing its RAP. Futhermore, the partnership is committed to maintaining a high profile around the Great Lakes region. Much of the success in these areas may be attributed to the organizational structure of the partnership and its use of the combined expertise, knowledge, experience, networks and resources of its many partners. Research efforts into understanding the complex nature of the river ecosystem continue, and will help focus RAP actions in the future. A comprehensive community outreach strategy will continue to be employed to ensure public and community involvement in the RAP.

Current priorities of the RAP Council and Partnership include:

Revise final draft Ashtabula River Partnership (ARP) Comprehensive Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (CMP/EIS) and Technical Appendices.
Distribute final draft CMP/EIS for public comment review period.
Air video and related PSAs of Ashtabula River RAP.
Commence preparation of a Project Cooperation Agreement to designate lands, easements, rights-of-way and result in final bids and specifications package for Ashtabula River remedial dredging project.
Conduct public outreach to various target groups about the RAP

The RAP Council continues to look at other issues in the AOC as well, such as habitat enhancement and restoration. RAP members are presently discussing installation of low-tech inexpensive fish spawning structures in nonpolluted river slips, as a mini-pilot project, prior to fullscale river cleanup.

Like the Cuyahoga River RAP, Ashtabula River stakeholders are actively pursuing designation of the Ashtabula River as an American Heritage River. The historical, cultural, economic and environmental significance of this river, as well as its past, present and future economic impacts on the nation, make it a worthy candidate for such recognition. Because of the perseverance and diligence of many stakeholders, the Ashtabula River "river of many fish" will once again teem with a diverse and healthy biological community.

Research

1990 Biological and Water Quality Study of the Lower Ashtabula River and Harbor within the Area Of Concern, Ohio EPA, Division of Water Quality Planning and Assessment, Columbus, Ohio, January 14, 1992.
1990 Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Sediments (ARCS) Program, Ashtabula River Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment, U.S. EPA, Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO), December 1992.
1992 ARCS Program, Ashtabula River Assessment Guidance Document, U.S. EPA, GLNPO, August 1994.
1992 ARCS Program, Ashtabula River Remediation Guidance Document, U.S. EPA, GLNPO, October 1994.
1994 Ashtabula River AOC Fecal Coliform Bacterial Study, Ashtabula County Health Department, December 1994.
1995 Ashtabula Harbor Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis, Ohio State University, Department of Agricultural Economics, September 1996.
1995 Biological and Water Quality Study of the Grand and Ashtabula River Basins, Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water, Columbus, Ohio, January 7, 1997.
1997 Environmental Risk Assessment and Management Considerations for Dredging the Ashtabula River and Harbor, Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA, pending.

Publications

December 2000 Environmental Justice Assessment.
December 2000 Cost-Sharing and Non-Federal Responsibilities and Appendices.
Ashtabula River Project Cost Estimates and Benefit-Cost Analysis.
Maxxim, Inc. Landfill Design Criteria for Dredged Ashtabula River Sediments.
HTRW Evaluation of Potential Landfill and Transfer/Dewatering Site(s).
December 2000 Geotechnical Engineering for Landfill and Transfer/Dewatering Site(s).
Preliminary Final Radiological Risk Assessment for Ashtabula River.
Preliminary Final Report November 2000 Ashtabula River Sediment Sampling and Analysis of Extent of Radionuclide Contamination.
July 2000 Ashtabula River RAP Newsletter.
February 2000 Ashtabula River Value Engineering Study Team Report.
Ashtabula River Partnership, Part of the Solution, color brochure, May 1997.
Three Ashtabula River RAP PSAs produced by the Ashtabula River RAP, March 1995.
Three Ashtabula River RAP PSAs produced by the Ashtabula River RAP, March 1995.
Ashtabula River , Be Part of the Solution, color brochure, June 1994.
Ashtabula River RAP Fish Fry, interviews and regional television coverage, video produced by WSEE Channel 35, Erie, Pa., October 1993.
Three Ashtabula River RAP Public Service Announcements (PSAs) produced by the Ashtabula River RAP, January 1993.
Ashtabula County - A Community Working Together, video produced by RMI Titanium, August 1989.
Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan Stage 1 Report, December 1991.
Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) Newsletter, Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water.

Community Involvement

Public Awareness, Presentations, Events, Education:

The Ashtabula RAP Council and River Partnership share many members in common, and accordingly collaborate on awareness, educational and public involvement opportunities for the local community. Both RAP and ARP presentations are made all year long to civic, school, business, environmental and professional groups via the Speakers Bureau. To schedule a talk from either group or obtain information, interested parties may refer to the list of contacts at the end of this document. Newsletters are mailed out to more than 500 stakeholders semiannually. Be Part of the Solution is a color brochure printed in June 1994 that explains the context of the Ashtabula River RAP. Part of the Solution is a color brochure printed in May 1997 that explains the context and status of the River Partnership. The RAP also participates in local events (clean-ups, festivals, fish frys, etc.) with other groups whose focus is on the Ashtabula River and Lake Erie and their resources.

Specific Activities (from the 2000 Ashtabula River RAP Activities & Accomplishments Report)

Several appearances before Ashtabula City Council (broadcast on community cable) and monthly meetings with city, county, and township officials to provide an update on Ashtabula River remedial project, generate cooperation and understanding on requirements for local (nonfederal) sponsorship, explain the Natural Resource Damage Assessment claim under CERCLA, describe requirements for the project Design Agreement, and formally request financial support for core River Partnership expenses.
Numerous presentations throughout 2000 with local schools, Ashtabula County Builders Association, Great Lakes Commission workshop on Empowering Community Leaders, League of Women Voters, USACE Buffalo District incoming commander.
Applied $48,828 from a grant from Ohio EPA's Ohio Environmental Education Fund to help develop an Ashtabula After School Discovery program called "Waterways Adventure" for 2000 area city school kids in grades 4, 5, 6, 8 and 12 to conduct field monitoring at selected lake, river and pond sites and share results at a Great Lakes Science Student Symposium in Buffalo, New York.
Convened two separate meetings with river marina owners/operators to discuss potential impacts of river dredging project including: 1) safe navigation during dredging, 2) dock removal, 3) disruption of local businesses, and 4) integrity of river bulkhead structures installed since 1962 dredging, and to ultimately determine a satisfactory means to address the impacts, should they occur.
Participated with local community groups, including Litter Prevention and Recycling Office, on three cleanup events in area neigborhoods, including: 1) the Great American Cleanup at Walnut Beach on Lake Erie; 2) Ashtabula River Gulf cleanup at Cedarquist Park; and 3) Earth Day cleanup.
Ashtabula River RAP Council and the Gazette News sponsored an Earth Day essay contest among Ashtabula County elementary and high schools.
Directors of USEPA's Great Lakes National Program Office and Ohio EPA, along with a representative from the IJC's Great Lakes Regional Office and local media toured Ashtabula River and Harbor at the August 2000 annual meeting of the Ashtabula River Partnership while Partnership members highlighted the overall approach and annual milestones toward remediation of the AOC.
Local video crew filmed annual meeting/tour and interviews with visitors for use in video production, slides, and PSAs to be aired throughout year for public support, education and awareness of Ashtabula River remedial action plan.

Contacts

Natalie Farber, Ashtabula River RAP Coordinator
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Division of Surface Water
P.O. Box 1049
1800 WaterMark Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
Phone: (614) 644-2143
Fax:(614) 644-2329
natalie.farber@epa.state.oh.us

Carl Anderson, Co-Chair
Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan Advisory Council
2916 Fairview Drive
Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
Phone: (440) 998-1969

Leonard Eames, Co-Chair
Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan Advisory Council
2000 Great Lakes Avenue
Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
Phone: (440) 964-9621
Fax: (440) 992-0515

Great Lakes Areas of Concern

Compiled: June 14, 2001
by John Hummer, jhummer@glc.org

Created: November 21, 1997
Revised: June 21, 2000
Maintained by Pranas Pranckevicius
URL: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/ashtabula.html