Streams are important to the well being of Ohio's citizens and the environment of the state. As an integral part of our lives, streams are greatly affected by and sensitive to our activities. Values associated with streams include their essential environmental functions, biological diversity, providing drinking water supply, recreational opportunities, necessary drainage, storage, moving of flood waters, and other hydrological benefits. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources respects all of the values associated with streams and acknowledges that sound management and conservation must be utilized for their many functions to endure.

A greater understanding of the environment and changing social values leads the Department to emphasize and give high priority to improving water quality, habitat and biological diversity through protection and restoration strategies. The Department has a major affect on streams through its involvement with in-stream work and land uses. This policy interjects the goals of conserving high quality streams and the restoration of water quality, biological diversity, habitats and natural hydrologic function into guidelines for the Department's numerous activities, programs and land holdings.

For the purpose of this policy, a stream is defined as any watercourse that is indicated as being perennial and/or intermittent on a USGS topographical map or is identified by better data, when available. This includes rivers, creeks, brooks, runs, licks, and other features. Interpretation of this policy must acknowledge the diverse nature of streams across the state as to size, previous modifications, primary use or purpose and watershed characteristics.

It is the policy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources:

* To educate other state and local agencies, organizations and the general public about the importance and benefits of streams, floodplains and watersheds and their role in improving water quality, biological diversity and habitat enhancement;
* To require that all stream related activities and programs which could impact water quality and biological diversity be consistent with the State of Ohio water quality standards as specified in Chapter 3745-1 of the Ohio Administrative Code;
* To protect high quality streams and stream corridors and to restore modified or degraded streams and stream corridors whenever possible;
* To minimize the negative impacts and mitigate their effects on water quality, habitat and biological diversity and to build in natural stream system features;
* To develop departmental stream management recommendations that address the relationships among near-stream forested corridors, water quality, aquatic habitat, and land use best management practices needed to safeguard aquatic and riparian ecosystems;
* To minimize non-point source stream pollution by developing and implementing strategies consistent with the Ohio Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Plan;
* To minimize stream pollution through compliance with the EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater discharge permit requirements;
* To protect native biota from the unwanted introduction of exotic species;
* To protect endangered species by preserving and/or restoring their habitat and maintaining desirable water quality;
* To promote breaching or removal of dams not currently in use or no longer serving their respective intended purposes in order to increase public safety and restore aquatic species migration;
* To encourage land uses which support the natural benefits of the floodplain. These benefits include flood water storage, reduced velocities and accompanying erosion, facilitation of ground water recharge and maintenance of the diverse animal, fish and flora habitats of riparian areas.
* To support citizens and participate in watershed groups and strategies throughout the state.
* To support farmland preservation and other land use planning strategies that benefit stream quality.
* To promote access to Ohio’s streams for the benefit of the people of the state.


The actions of all divisions and offices having programmatic and regulatory responsibilities involving streams, and the management of all lands administered by the Department shall be consistent with this policy.

Streams are important to the well being of Ohio's citizens and the environment of the state. As an integral part of our lives, streams are greatly affected by and sensitive to our activities. Values associated with streams include their essential environmental functions, biological diversity, providing drinking water supply, recreational opportunities, necessary drainage, storage, moving of flood waters, and other hydrological benefits. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources respects all of the values associated with streams and acknowledges that sound management and conservation must be utilized for their many functions to endure.

A greater understanding of the environment and changing social values leads the Department to emphasize and give high priority to improving water quality, habitat and biological diversity through protection and restoration strategies. The Department has a major affect on streams through its involvement with in-stream work and land uses. This policy interjects the goals of conserving high quality streams and the restoration of water quality, biological diversity, habitats and natural hydrologic function into guidelines for the Department's numerous activities, programs and land holdings.

For the purpose of this policy, a stream is defined as any watercourse that is indicated as being perennial and/or intermittent on a USGS topographical map or is identified by better data, when available. This includes rivers, creeks, brooks, runs, licks, and other features. Interpretation of this policy must acknowledge the diverse nature of streams across the state as to size, previous modifications, primary use or purpose and watershed characteristics.

It is the policy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources:

• To educate other state and local agencies, organizations and the general public about the importance and benefits of streams, floodplains and watersheds and their role in improving water quality, biological diversity and habitat enhancement;
• To require that all stream related activities and programs which could impact water quality and biological diversity be consistent with the State of Ohio water quality standards as specified in Chapter 3745-1 of the Ohio Administrative Code;
• To protect high quality streams and stream corridors and to restore modified or degraded streams and stream corridors whenever possible;
• To minimize the negative impacts and mitigate their effects on water quality, habitat and biological diversity and to build in natural stream system features;
• To develop departmental stream management recommendations that address the relationships among near-stream forested corridors, water quality, aquatic habitat, and land use best management practices needed to safeguard aquatic and riparian ecosystems;
• To minimize non-point source stream pollution by developing and implementing strategies consistent with the Ohio Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Plan;
• To minimize stream pollution through compliance with the EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater discharge permit requirements;
• To protect native biota from the unwanted introduction of exotic species;
• To protect endangered species by preserving and/or restoring their habitat and maintaining desirable water quality;
• To promote breaching or removal of dams not currently in use or no longer serving their respective intended purposes in order to increase public safety and restore aquatic species migration;
• To encourage land uses which support the natural benefits of the floodplain. These benefits include flood water storage, reduced velocities and accompanying erosion, facilitation of ground water recharge and maintenance of the diverse animal, fish and flora habitats of riparian areas.
• To support citizens and participate in watershed groups and strategies throughout the state.
• To support farmland preservation and other land use planning strategies that benefit stream quality.
• To promote access to Ohios streams for the benefit of the people of the state.

The actions of all divisions and offices having programmatic and regulatory responsibilities involving streams, and the management of all lands administered by the Department shall be consistent with this policy.