Jeff Hines, Chief Ohio EPA Southwest District

Southwest District Features One of the nation’s most prolific aquifer

systems Many high quality scenic rivers Land use ranging from urban to

agricultural Air, land and water challenged by over

2.5 million people Diverse industrial and commercial

activities An extensive transportation network

Decades of Change

100 years ago, these species had been extirpated in Ohio: beaver, bison, black bears, elk, mountain lions, snowshoe hares, prairie chickens, Trumpeter Swans, wild turkeys, wolves, and… deer!

100 years ago, 83% of the forest cover that existed in Ohio at the time of European settlement had been cut down – about 20 million trees.

Decades of Change

100 years ago, raw sewage poured into our water.

30 years ago, Sandhill cranes, osprey and otters had also been extirpated in Ohio.

By 1979, only four pairs of bald eagles were nesting in Ohio.

30 years ago, reforestation efforts begun during the Great Depression have restored about 4 million trees and improved habitat in some areas.

Decades of Change

30 years ago, deer and wild turkeys have been reintroduced, some sightings of beaver, bear, and coyotes.

Although primary sewage treatment was in place throughout most of Ohio 30 years ago, dilution was still widely considered to be the solution to pollution.

Cuyahoga River caught fire 4 times between 1952 and 1969.

Decades of Change

During the 1970’s only about 22% of Ohio rivers and streams fully supported aquatic life.

Ohio had some of the worst air pollution in the nation during the early 1970’s: 44 air pollution alerts in 1975 (32 in Steubenville).

30 years ago, most garbage in Ohio went into unlined dumpsites that were only minimally regulated.

Decades of Change Hazardous waste disposal was largely

unregulated 30 years ago. By 2008, 222 eaglets were fledged

from a modern record of 184 bald eagle nests (up from 4 nests in 1979). Nests are found in 43 of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Banning lead from gasoline means that a 5-year old today has an 85% lower median concentration of lead in her blood than a 5-year old in 1976.

Decades of Change

Ohio has 10 scenic rivers comprising more than 629 river miles; the fourth largest total among the 50 states.

Aquatic life uses restored in 1000 miles of streams in Ohio since 1988. Large rivers have almost met the 80% attainment by 2010 aquatic life goal (78.7% compared to 21% in 1970s).

Decades of Change

Ohio EPA is a nationally recognized leader in water quality monitoring methodology.

Sanitary Landfills are now highly engineered and regulated.

Hazardous Waste now regulated cradle-to-grave, older Superfund sites being cleaned up.

Decades of Change

Ohio is 10th of 50 states in the number of sites on the National Priority List for Superfund cleanups.

3 of the nation’s top 20 facilities with toxic releases are in Ohio.

Ohio is #1 of the 50 states in trucking accidents involving hazardous materials.

Current Challenges

Greenhouse Gases (Global Climate Change)

Non-Point Source Pollution (Nutrients / HABs)

Solid Waste Program Update

C & DD Landfill Rules

Beneficial Use Rules

Waste-To-Energy (WTE) facilities

Hazardous Waste Program Update

213 new and revised rules became effective on September 5th.

Recycling facilities have 72 hours to process.

Academic laboratory generator standards. Universal Waste now includes more

mercury containing equipment. Over 60 Burden Reduction rules are

included. Visit www.epa.ohio.gov/dhwm to review.

Hazardous Waste Program Challenges

Corrective Actions

Environmental Sustainability

Cessation of Regulated Operations (CRO)

Coal Combustion Waste ?