Cuyahoga River Area of Concern

Background | Use Impairments RAP Status | Schedule Progress and Achievements Outlook | Research | Publications Community Involvement | Partners | Contacts

What is an AOC and a RAP?

Background

The Cuyahoga River is located in northeast Ohio. It begins its 100-mile journey in Geauga County, then flows south to Cuyahoga Falls where it turns sharply north until it empties into Lake Erie. The river drains 813 square miles of land in portions of six counties. Native Americans referred to the U-shaped river as the Cuyahoga or "crooked river."

Fires plagued the Cuyahoga beginning in 1936 when a spark from a blow torch ignited floating debris and oils. Fires erupted on the river several more times before June 22, 1969, when a river fire captured national attention when Time magazine described the Cuyahoga as the river that "oozes rather than flows" and in which a person "does not drown but decays." This event helped spur an avalanche of pollution control activities resulting in the Clean Water Act, Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and the creation of the federal and state Environmental Protection Agencies.

The boundaries of the Area of Concern (AOC) were set by the Cuyahoga Remedial Action Plan Coordinating Committee (CCC) in 1988. The AOC includes the lower 45 miles of the river from the Ohio Edison Dam to the mouth as well as approximately 10 miles of Lake Erie shoreline, from Edgewater Park on the west side of Cleveland to Wildwood Park on the east. The AOC includes the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, which preserves 22 miles of river between the primary urban/industrial centers of Akron and Cleveland.

Beneficial Use Impairments

Ten of 14 use impairments have been identified through the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) process. These environmental problems are caused by cultural eutrophication (nutrients), toxic substances (PCBs, heavy metals), bacterial contamination, habitat modification, and sedimentation.

Sources for these contaminants include municipal and industrial discharges, bank erosion, commercial/residential development, atmospheric deposition, hazardous waste disposal sites, urban stormwater runoff, combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and wastewater treatment plant bypasses.

Restrictions on Fish Consumption:
In 1994 the Ohio Department of Health issued a Fish Consumption Advisory for Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River AOC. This advisory is based on PCB levels in fish tissue and suggests restricted consumption for white sucker, carp, brown bullhead, and yellow bullhead in the Cuyahoga 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.

GLIN: Fish Consumption Advisories; Toxic Contaminants

Restrictions on Wildlife Consumption:
No data have been found to suggest this is impaired in the Cuyahoga 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: Wildlife; Toxic Contaminants

Tainting of Fish & Wildlife Flavor:
No data have been found to suggest this is impaired in the Cuyahoga 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; Wildlife

Degradation of Fish Populations:
Beginning at the Ohio Edison Gorge (River Mile 44) and extending downstream to Lake Erie, IBI and MIwb scores (Ohio EPA measures of fish population conditions) ranged from fair to very poor and were below applicable Ohio warmwater habitat aquatic life use criteria. Although fish communities have recovered significantly in historically depleted segments of the Cuyahoga River, pollution-tolerant species continue to dominate the population composition.

GLIN: Fish

Degradation of Wildlife Populations:
No data have been found to suggest this is impaired in the Cuyahoga River AOC. The RAP has evaluated this category as "UNKNOWN" rather than "UNIMPAIRED." Anecdotal information indicates increasing numbers of Great Blue Heron nests in the Cuyahoga River watershed. Resident populations of black-crowned night herons have been noted in the navigation channel. The RAP is seeking partners to undertake research in this area in order that an evaluation may be made.

GLIN: Wildlife

Fish Tumors or Other Deformities:
Ohio EPA data collected in 1991 indicate that although deformities, eroded fins, lesions and external tumors (DELT anomalies) have declined throughout the watershed, significant impairments still occur from the headwaters to the nearshore areas of Lake Erie.

GLIN: Fish; Toxic Contaminants

Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproductive Problems:
No data have been found to suggest this is impaired in the Cuyahoga 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 populations throughout the Cuyahoga River AOC remain impaired in places, but show significant recovery within the segment downstream of the Akron Water Pollution Control Station (WPCS) to the head of the navigation channel. 1991 narrative evaluations of ICI scores (Ohio EPA measures of benthic macroinvertebrate population conditions) ranged from good to marginally good throughout most free-flowing sections of the river. Departures into the fair range were limited to sites in the Akron municipal area, downstream of the Akron WPCS, and in the mixing zones of the discharges from the Akron and NEORSD Southerly sewage treatment plants. In the navigation channel, populations remain in the poor range.

Restrictions on Dredging Activities:
Most of the sediments dredged from the navigation channel of the Cuyahoga AOC are subject to restrictions on disposal because of their classification by U.S. EPA as "heavily polluted" by heavy metals. Only a small amount of the dredged material at the extreme upstream end of the navigation channel has no restrictions on disposal (30,000 cubic yards of a total 400,000 cubic yards dredged annually) and are used for beach nourishment. The "heavily polluted" sediments are disposed of in a confined disposal facility in the Cleveland area.

GLIN: Dredging

Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae:
Little can be said about the trophic status of the free-flowing upper section of the Cuyahoga AOC, from the Ohio Edison Dam to the head of the navigation channel, due in part to a lack of standards or consistent monitoring. The navigation channel is listed as probably impaired because of severe oxygen depletion during summer months. This is due primarily to exertion of sediment oxygen demand compounded by the dredged, bulkheaded morphology of this segment. The nearshore Lake Erie area is currently listed as impaired, but recent changes in water clarity and phytoplanktonic cell abundance warrant further study.

Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption, or Taste & Odor:
No public drinking water supply exists in the AOC. Akron draws water from reservoirs in the upper section of the Cuyahoga River, above the AOC, while Cleveland draws raw water from Lake Erie beyond the boundaries of the AOC. However, this does not consider a surface supply to individual customers or any potential influence of surface water quality on ground water quality on the segment between the Ohio Edison Dam and the head of the navigation channel. The impairment is listed as "UNKNOWN" for this segment.

GLIN: Water Quality

Beach Closings & Recreational Access:
Two public swimming beaches are located in the AOC. High bacteria levels after storm events make this a periodic impairment. Swimming is not advised for a period of one to two days following a rainstorm, or when bacteria levels are high enough to warrant posting of the beach. Public access to the river in the section from the Ohio Edison Dam to the head of the navigation channel is not impaired due to the 1993 completion of the 22-mile towpath trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. This bike and hike path is being extended into Cleveland to the north and into Akron in the south. Recreational access to the river is considered impaired in places in the navigation channel and nearshore area due to the primarily industrial land use, although several small parks exist and more are planned.

GLIN: Beaches; Recreation

Degradation of Aesthetics:
Despite limited quantitative data, methodology limitations and a lack of common standards, aesthetics are considered impaired throughout the AOC. Erosion of hillsides and streambanks; contamination of the waterways with natural debris; as well as the effects of trash, detergents, solids and odor from failing septic systems; CSOs; and improper dumping are pervasive. Many of the problems to aesthetics are exacerbated by storms and high flow conditions. Trash, debris, oils and other materials on street surfaces may enter the waterways through storm sewer discharges.

Degradation of Phytoplankton & Zooplankton Populations:
Limited studies on phytoplankton populations indicate they may be possibly impaired in the AOC when compared to other areas. However, no indices of phytoplankton community health or ecosystem health based on the phytoplankton community structure currently exist. 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. This impairment is listed as "UNKNOWN" at this time. The RAP is seeking partners to undertake research in this area in order that an evaluation may be made.

Added Cost to Agriculture & Industry:
The RAP has determined this use is not impaired based on water withdrawal records maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and a survey of industrial users. There are no registered water withdrawals for agricultural purposes in the AOC.

GLIN: Economy

Loss of Fish & Wildlife Habitat:
From the Ohio Edison Dam to the head of the navigation channel fish habitat is not impaired while wildlife habitat is impaired in some places, particularly urban areas. In the navigation channel the combination of past channelization, lack of riparian cover, siltation of bottom substrates, low gradient, bankwalls of concrete and sheet piling, annual maintenance dredging 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 Cuyahoga River RAP process began in 1988 when the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the designated lead agency for developing RAPs in Ohio, appointed a 33-member planning committee to develop the Cuyahoga River RAP. This group, the Cuyahoga River RAP Coordinating Committee or CCC, is a balanced representation of stakeholders in the planning process, with representatives from local, regional, state and federal agencies, businesses and industry, and citizen and environmental organizations. NOACA, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, provides secretariat and planning support for the RAP. In June 1992 the Stage One Report was completed, identifying the impairments of beneficial uses and sources and causes of those impairments. This report was updated in early 1996 with the Stage One Update, which presented more recent data on issues previously addressed along with discussions on additional environmental issues. An Early Implementation Report issued in March 1996 describes the many projects and programs underway that will have a positive impact on the Cuyahoga River.

Preparation of the RAP is done by the CCC, with assistance from the Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization (CRCPO), a non-profit organization formed by the RAP Steering Committee to support its goals. Technical work is conducted through various work groups established around specific issue areas (e.g, Habitat, Land Use, Human Health, Community Involvement, etc.) or grant-related projects (e.g., Big Creek Stream Stewardship Program, GLNPO Streambank Rehabilitation Project, Yellow Creek Stream Stewardship Program, Larval Fish Study, Work Groups including: Fish & Aquatic Life, Human Health, Recreation, Socio-Economic, Wildlife, Plan Drafting, Technical, Community Involvement Committee).

Schedule

Meetings:

Special Meeting Notice:

• CCC Meetings held in January, March, May, September, November, usually on the third Thursday of the month.
• Steering Committee Meetings held in January, March, May , September, November, usually on the first Thursday of the month.
• CRCPO Board of Directors Meetings held in January, March, May, September, November, usually on the first Thursday of the month.
• Community Involvement, Technical Advisory and Work Group Meetings held on an as needed basis.

RAP Milestones:

• 2001: RAP completes State of Big Creek and State of Yellow Creek Reports.
• 2001: RAP publishes Life at the Water's Edge: Living in Harmony with Your Backyard Stream.
• 2000: RAP completes four stream bank restoration projects, demonstrating soil bioengineering techniques.
• 1999: RAP completes Strategic Planning process.
• 1998: RAP achieves presidential designation of the Cuyahoga River watershed as one of fourteen American Heritage Rivers in the nation.
• 1998: RAP initiates Larval Fish Study of Navigation Channel.
• 1997: RAP launches Stream Stewardship Programs for Cuyahoga River Tributaries (Big Creek/Yellow Creek).
• 1996: RAP initiates investigation of the potential for fish recovery in the Navigation Channel using artificial re-aeration techniques.
• 1996: RAP completes an Early Implementation Report.
• 1995: RAP completes Stage One Update Report.
• 1993: RAP conducts Creel Survey on type and quantity of fish caught and consumed from the river/lakefront.
• 1992: RAP completes Stage One Report.
• 1992: RAP conducts Community Preference Poll of Cuyahoga and Summit County residents.
• 1991: Review of Methods for Estimating Benefits from Environmental Amenities report is completed.
• 1989: Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization (CRCPO) established by the CCC to support RAP activities.
• 1988: Cuyahoga River RAP Coordinating Committee (CCC) established by Ohio EPA.
• 1987: GLWQA, Annex 2, requires Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) for 43 polluted waterways impacting the Great Lakes.
• 1972: Ohio EPA is created.
• 1972: Canada & U.S. sign Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), recognizing that pollution is threatening the Great Lakes.
• 1969: The "burning" Cuyahoga River creates a national scandal, and a challenge to clean up polluted urban rivers.

Progress and Achievements

With the concentrated efforts of the stakeholder organizations represented on the CCC, considerable progress has been made in the development and implementation of the CuyahogaRiver RAP. The CRCPO currently operates with funding support from The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, The GAR Foundation and The Ohio EPA, local stake holders and donations to provide staffing and planning support to pursue RAP goals and implement RAP projects for the benefit of the Cuyahoga River and its surrounding watershed. Many activities have been undertaken by the RAP and its partners to address beneficial use impairments and involve local communities and area stakeholders. Highlights of recent progress and achievements include the following:

(From the "2000 Cuyahoga River RAP Achievements" document)

• The Community Involvement Committee completed a Comprehensive Education and Marketing Strategy.
  
  
• The Technical Committee initiated an email discussion/project development website.
  
  
• RAP Work Groups continued to develop action plans to address identified beneficial use impairments. Actions/projects identified and currently being pursued include:
  
       Aquatic Life Work Group
  
  • Wetland Restoration Site Suitability Model Groundtruthing
  • Modification of the Station Road Dam Feasibility Study
  • Navigation Channel Habitat Feasibility Study
  • Streambank Rehabilitation/Restoration Project Implementation
  • Sediment Characterization Studies in suspect areas
  • Results of Larval Fish Study Evaluation and Report
  • Riparian Area Management Workshops for Officials & Managers
  
  
       Human Health Work Group
  
  • Cuyahoga River Creel and Fish Consumption Survey
  • Fish Consumption Advisory Signs
  • Human Health Data and Study Review
  • Community Health Survey
  
  
       Recreation Work Group
  
  • User-Friendly Aquatic Bacteria Level Database
  
  
        SocioEconomic Work Group
  
  • Local Initiatives for Public Access
  • Eutrophication/Aesthetics Research Agenda
  
  
       Wildlife Work Group
  
  • GIS Wildlife Habitat Inventory
  • USGS Aquatic and Terrestrial GAP Analysis Input and Review
  • Wildlife Professionals Survey

• The RAP continued to serve as a point of contact for the American Heritage River Partnership. This group is working to secure funding with a national nonprofit consortium to develop a PBS documentary series on the American Heritage Rivers. The Cuyahoga partnership formed from the major organizations involved in planning activities throughout the watershed. The partners include the Cuyahoga River RAP, Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning & Development Organization (NEFCO), Ohio & Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor (CanalWay Ohio), and the Upper Cuyahoga River Watershed Task Force.
  
  
• Big Creek Stream Stewardship Project continues success
  
  • The Stream Stewardship Patch Handbook, Storm Drain Stenciling Handbook revision and State of Big Creek Report were completed.
  • The Big Creek Watershed Action Group held a "Walk your Watershed" event as part of Ohio Coastweeks. Development continues on a new environmental program at Cuyahoga Community College.
  • Several Big Creek Clean Up events were conducted attracting hundreds of volunteers, several of whom have "adopted" stream segments to monitor and clean up.
  • The State of the Big Creek Report is completed
  
  
  
• Completed the third year of collections for Cuyahoga River Larval Fish Survey, the third component of the Navigation Channel Reaeration Feasibility Study funded by a grant from the Ohio Water Development Authority and local matching funds. A panel of fish experts convened to evaluate data and make recommendations for future work.
  
  
• A strategic review of the Cuyahoga River tributaries is being convened to evaluate potential sub-watersheds to expand the Stream Stewardship Program. A variety of resources and existing data will be utilized to evaluate these watersheds. The analysis and recommendation of this review will result in the expansion of the Stream Stewardship Program to a new tributary river.
  
  
• Yellow Creek Stream Stewardship Project continues progress: Public Forums and meetings with elected officials resulted in a Riparian Overlay District Ordinance adopted by Bath Township to help protect this threatened watershed. The formation of a Watershed protection and preservation group is underway in the Yellow Creek watershed. Everyone is welcome to join the effort to preserve the Yellow Creek watershed.
  
  
• TerrAqua completed the Evaluating Stream Stewardship Program of the Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan: Big Creek and Yellow Creek report. This project was funded through a grant to the RAP from the Cleveland Foundation. The report recommendations to improve and expand these programs were accepted by the RAP Coordinating Committee.

In March, 1999 the Cuyahoga River RAP Coordinating Committee adopted a Strategic Plan to help guide its activities for the next 3-5 years. This document is accessible at the Ohio EPA Cuyahoga River RAP website. Outlined goals in this plan address the activities currently being undertaken or planned to reduce or eliminate beneficial use impairments; maximizing citizen participation and involvement; focusing and improving RAP education strategies; and implementing strategies for maintaining the RAP Coordinating Committee as a strong, active, and representative body for deliberation and decision-making.

American Heritage River Designation: On July 27, 1998 the Cuyahoga River was designated as one of fourteen "American Heritage Rivers" by President Clinton and Vice President Gore. "The Cuyahoga is of singular importance in the birth of the American environmental movement," said Elliot Diringer, a spokesman for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The designation has helped to create a renaissance along the Cuyahoga by creating new partnerships, improving economic opportunities and promoting environmental, historical, and cultural projects.

Streambank Rehabilitation Project: The Cuyahoga RAP received a grant from the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office to provide funds and oversight for the design and construction of several bioengineered rehabilitation projects in the Cuyahoga River watershed. A two-day technology transfer session was held in 1996 to introduce bioengineering ideas and concepts to local stakeholders. Construction on the first projects began in 1997. It is expected that these sites will serve as demonstrations for future projects and the expansion of bioengineering techniques for stream rehabilitation. The RAP assisted in sponsoring several workshops regarding streamside management. The RAP was also a key collaborator in the production of the Life at the Water's Edge booklets to be used by riparian landowners.

Outlook

Cuyahoga River Symposium
Sponsored by Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan
Thursday, October 25, 2001
Happy Days Visitor's Center
500 W. Streetsboro
Peninsula, Ohio 44264
8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Upon completion of the Symposium a State of the River Report will be compiled by the RAP.

The Cuyahoga River RAP process continues to address the issues and problems identified by the Stage One Report and Update. It has been very successful thus far in garnering resources and funding to undertake these projects and programs. Much of the success in this area is attributed to the organizational structure of the RAP and its use of a non-profit organization, the CRCPO.

Significant actions have been undertaken by the RAP and its partners to restore the beneficial uses of the Cuyahoga River. Research efforts into understanding the complex nature of the river ecosystem continue, and will help focus RAP actions in the future. Aggressive efforts have been made to develop a public and community involvement strategy that guides the outreach and education efforts of the RAP.

Current priority issues of the RAP include several that are outgrowths of recent projects and studies. These include habitat restoration, navigation channel dissolved oxygen/larval fish studies, stream stewardship, wetland identification, urban stormwater management and comprehensive environmental education and community involvement.

The Cuyahoga River RAP team is also committed to honoring the designation of the Cuyahoga River as an American Heritage River. The historical, cultural and environmental significance of this river, as well as its past, present and future economic impacts on the nation, make it a worthy selection for such recognition. Because of the efforts of dedicated agencies, organizations, local stakeholders and private individuals, the Cuyahoga River will never burn again!

Research

Larval Fish Study: The Cuyahoga River RAP, Ohio EPA and the Ohio Water Development Authority have conducted a qualitative survey of larval fish in the lower 20.8 miles of the Cuyahoga River. In 1998 three sites were sampled in the area downstream of the first river dam (river mile 20.8) to the head of the navigation channel (river mile 5.6). Collections were made using ichthyoplankton net sets and tows. Collections were identified and processed by Darrel Snyder and the Larval Fish Laboratory at Colorado State University. Samples contained 23 species from 7 families. Large numbers of catostomid eggs, probably white sucker, and the possible presence of longnose sucker indicate the usage of the navigation channel for Lake Erie fish migration. Follow-up studies in 1999 found larval fish in the navigation channel (species to be determined) and migration of steelhead trout adults to the Gorge Dam at river mile 45.

Navigation Channel Reaeration Feasibility Study: Dissolved oxygen levels in this dredged, bulkheaded and channelized segment of the river have historically been too low to support aquatic life under low-flow conditions or to allow passage of fish to upstream areas. The Cuyahoga RAP received a grant from the Ohio Water Development Authority, along with local matching funds, to conduct a study on the feasibility of restoring adequate dissolved oxygen levels to this segment. Included in the study is a survey of fisheries experts on the potential benefits to fish populations. Findings indicate that although reaeration technology is feasible, little benefit to fish populations will result due to a lack of riparian habitat.

Strategies/Projects addressing Elevated Bacteria Levels

• A study of sewer, flooding and water quality issues in the Mill Creek tributary watershed was completed by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District in 1997. As a result of this study, $175 million in improvements are to be constructed by 2005. NEORSD recently received $2 million to conduct a similar study in the Doan Brook watershed.

• The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has been developing Long-Term CSO Control Plans across their combined sewer area. Planning in the Mill Creek area was completed in 1997 and construction of a CSO storage tunnel is ongoing. Planning in the Westerly WWTP planning area was completed in 1999 and the design and construction of CSO control projects is ongoing. Planning in the Easterly and Southerly WWTP combined sewer areas is ongoing. The entire NEORSD long-term CSO control plan is scheduled to be finalized in early 2002. The estimated cost for the NEORSD CSO control program is $1 Billion. Additionally, the NEORSD has completed the Doan Brook Watershed Study, with recommendations provided for CSO control, stormwater management, channel and floodplain management, and biotic community management.

Ohio EPA Intensive Survey
In 1996 the Ohio EPA conducted an intensive survey of the Cuyahoga River watershed as part of its five-year basin monitoring program. Chemical and biological samples were collected, and physical attributes of approximately 90 sampling sites were recorded. The report on the results of this survey was completed in early 1998.

The restoration effort for the Cuyahoga River has spawned a variety of research needs within the watershed. These needs are consistently being addressed by the RAP and partnering organizations through grant funding efforts and other collaborative projects. As with all aspects of the RAP, the Coordinating Committee provides direction for efforts regarding these needs.

Publications

2001

• State of Big Creek Report
• State of Yellow Creek Report
• Fish Consumption Advisory Posters
• State of the River Report (in progress)

2000

• November 19-23, 2000: The Forgotten Valley Report - a weeklong series of stories on Cuyahoga River Valley history, development and future appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
• Larval Fish Survey Report
• Evaluating the Big Creek and Yellow Creek Stream Stewardship Programs of the Cuyahoga River RAP
• Stream Stewardship Patch Program Manual
• Storm Drain Stenciling Project Handbook
• Life at the Water's Edge - Living in Harmony With Your Background Stream by The RAP Streambank Restoration and Education Project. This riparian owners handbook was funded by GLNPO and ODNR-DSWC.
• The Cuyahoga River Watershed - Restoring an American Heritage River was featured in "Watershed Success Stories - Applying the Principles and Spirit of the Clean Water Action Plan" written by the Clean Water Action Plan Partnership. The article can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.cleanwater.gov/success/cuyahoga.html.
• Two RAP*UP newsletters mailed to over 6000 stakeholders

Other Publications

• Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization Annual Reports, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991.
• Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan Stage One Update Report - Impairment of Beneficial Uses and Sources of Pollution in the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern, April 1996.
• Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan - Progress in Restoring the Environmental Quality of the Cuyahoga River: An Early Implementation Report, March 1996.
• Fact Sheets on Big Creek, Stormwater Management, Storm Drain Stenciling, Nonpoint Source Pollution, Illicit and Malfunctioning Sewer Connections, Habitat, Combined Sewer Overflows, Pollution Prevention, Fish Consumption Advisory, Sewage Disposal Systems, Stream Monitoring Survey Forms, 1996.
• Restoring the Cuyahoga River - A Remedial Action Plan full color brochure, 1996.
Included with it are a watershed poster and environmental timeline.
• Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan Stage One Report - Impairments of Beneficial Uses and Sources and Causes in the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern, June 1992.
• Understanding Beach Warnings brochure.
• Dollars Down the Drain home sewage system maintenance video produced by Friends of the Crooked River.
• Teacher's RiverGuide - A curriculum handbook on the Cuyahoga River developed by Kent State University.
• Water Quality Handbook - A Teacher Resource for Water Quality Improvements developed by the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, also containing eight video vignettes.

More information on these publications can be obtained by contacting the individuals listed below in the "Contacts" section.

Community Involvement

Big Creek Stream Stewardship Program
By focusing attention and effort on a tributary watershed of the Cuyahoga River, the RAP is developing a comprehensive program to combine the efforts of public involvement with planning and technical assessment at the local level. The tributary watershed aligns more closely with municipal and township units, thus enabling residents and local officials to mobilize around the protection of a stream "in their own back yard." It is expected that this program may then be used as a model for activities in other tributary watersheds. A grant for this 3-year project was obtained from a Federal Clean Water Act Section 319 grant and local matching funds. Actions underway include education and outreach activities with community residents, elected officials and local leaders; creating databases on riparian areas and local environmental ordinances; storm drain stenciling and habitat improvement projects; development of citizen-friendly tools for data collection; and dissemination of information to the public.

Yellow Creek Stream Stewardship Project
This is the second tributary watershed to garner the focus of RAP action and effort. It began in late 1996 with the receipt of an $83,000 grant from the Lake Erie Protection Fund to the Northeast Ohio Four County Organization and a $45,000 grant to the CRCPO from the GAR Foundation. The project is expected to incorporate activities and public outreach/involvement concepts similar to the Big Creek project. As of 2001, the stream stewardship effort has assisted in successfully garnering zoning changes within Bath Township with the passage of the Riparian Overlay District, the formation of a watershed protection group (yet to be formally named), and the continued support of the areas residents in the stream monitoring program.

Events/Public Awareness/Education
The Cuyahoga RAP continues to provide educational and involvement opportunities to area residents and interested parties. A narrated slide presentation is used to explain the RAP story. More than 50 RAP presentations are made annually to civic, school and professional groups. Delegations from around the world stop regularly in Cleveland to see the river and hear the Cuyahoga RAP story. More than 5,000 street storm drains have been stenciled and more than 40,000 fish-shaped door hangers distributed to promote understanding of their link to the river and lake. Newsletters are mailed out to more than 6,500 stakeholders on a biannual basis.

The Cuyahoga Caravan is an annual RAP event that provides an opportunity for the public to tour the river and learn how to help protect it. The RAP also participates in the Friends of the Crooked River annual RIVERDAY, during which more than 30 events (clean-ups, nature walks, canoe trips, concerts, etc.) focusing on the river are conducted. The Friends of the Crooked River and the RAP team also completed a highly effective home sewage system maintenance video with a grant from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund.

Burning River Fest: The 32nd anniversary celebration of the flames that claimed the Cuyahoga River and brought the environmental movement to the forefront of peoples minds was a great success! On Friday, June 22, 2001 approximately 400 people joined us at the Great Lakes Brewing Company in the Tasting Room & Tank Farm. We celebrated with food, games, and live entertainment by Walkin' Cane and of course Great Lakes Brew. The funds raised were matched dollar for dollar by The George Gund and GAR Foundations.

Partners

STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES:

• Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area (John Debo)
  
• Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA (Jim Storer)*
  
• Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Kelvin Rogers)*
  
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Phil Hillman)
  
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Steve Yaksich)
  
• U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (Lucy Loughhead-Miller)
  
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (Mark Moloney)

INDUSTRY/COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE INTERESTS:

• American Steel and Wire (Chris Zielinski)
  
• Flats Industry (Jack Cox*)
  
• Flats Oxbow Association (Jim Pressler)
  
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (Martin Trembly)
• Greater Cleveland Growth Association/U.S. Sea Grant (Walter Williams)
  
• Lake Carriers Association (Richard Harkins)
  
• LTV Steel (Larry Szuhay)*
  
• Samsel Supply Co. (Frank Samsel)

COMMUNITY INTEREST GROUPS:

• Cleveland Waterfront Coalition (Elizabeth Buchanan)
  
• Friends of the Crooked River (Elaine Marsh)
  
• Greater Cleveland Boating Association (Rolf Tinge)
  
• Great Lakes Tomorrow (Jim Cowden)*
  
• Great Lakes United (Kathryn Brock)
  
• League of Women Voters (Edith Chase)*
  
• Ohio & Erie Canal Association (Tim Donovan)
  
• Sierra Club (David Beach)
  
• West Creek Preservation Committee (David Vasarhelyi)

LOCAL PUBLIC JURISDICTIONS:

Created: November 21, 1997
Revised: June 23, 2000
Maintained by Pranas Pranckevicius
URL: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/cuyahoga.html