News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2003

FIVE LAKE ERIE COUNTIES RECEIVE $650,000 IN GRANTS
FOR STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
Waterways in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lucas and Medina counties to benefit

COLUMBUS, OH -- Streams in five urban and suburban counties along Lake Erie at risk for pollution and flooding as a result of storm water runoff will benefit from a total of $650,000 in grants awarded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Soil and water conservation districts in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lucas and Medina counties will each receive $130,000 over the next four years to fund urban storm water specialist positions. The specialists will develop storm water management plans and oversee protection activities for local streams impacted by urban growth.

Federal legislation, passed in 1999, requires certain Ohio communities that face problems associated with urban growth and storm water runoff to initiate management plans by this spring.

“The work of these urban storm water specialists will reach beyond simple flood control,” said ODNR Director Sam Speck. “Their planning will help control nonpoint source pollution, erosion and other water-quality problems associated with rapid urban development.”

Funding for the four years of grants will come from a variety of federal, state and local sources including ODNR's Division of Soil & Water Conservation and Office of Coastal Management, as well as the Great Lakes Commission. County soil and water conservation districts will provide local matching funds.

Storm water runoff is a significant problem nationwide. According to the 1998 National Water Quality Inventory, more than 50 percent of the impaired waterways in America are affected by urban/suburban storm water runoff.

ODNR received 13 grant applications for the program, following a request for proposals last fall.