Environment Management

OMA Submits Comments on Water Quality Standards for Point Sources

On August 28, OMA submitted these comments to Ohio EPA regarding the agency’s Early Stakeholder Outreach (ESO) – OAC Chapter 3745-1-38 – Variances from Water Quality Standards for Point Sources.

OMA highlighted the wide ranging impact of the rule and stressed in particular that greater flexibility is needed with respect to the mercury variance portion of the rule.

We’ll will continue to work with Ohio EPA through the rule process. 9/3/2020

Register for Ohio EPA Virtual Compliance Assistance Conference – Sept. 21 – Oct. 8, No Charge

Ohio EPA’s popular compliance assistance conference goes virtual. The free 2020 Virtual Compliance Assistance Conference will provide daily interactive sessions focused on compliance with air, waste, and water regulations, strategically and conveniently spaced over three consecutive weeks.

Register for the free sessions individually to tap into the knowledge of fellow business owners, Ohio EPA staff, and invited guests. 9/3/2020

Roundtable to Focus on Reuse of Textile Materials

Does your business have recurring supplies of textile materials or an end-market or solution provider? If so, you can help Great Lakes businesses keep textiles out of the landfill. Ohio EPA invites you to take part in a virtual roundtable — held in conjunction with the Ohio Materials Marketplace — at 10:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, Sept. 1. 8/24/2020

OMA Submits Comments on Ambient Water Quality Criteria

The OMA this week submitted comments regarding the U.S. EPA’s Draft Ambient Water Quality Criteria Recommendations for Lakes and Reservoirs of the Conterminous United States. The OMA outlined serious concerns regarding the proposed use of the draft recommendations, as well as some of the assumptions underlying the recommendations.

The OMA stated that the draft recommendations, if pursued, “should not be issued as Clean Water Act Section 304(a) criteria, but rather as guidance for the limited purpose of evaluating whether nutrients may be a cause of a confirmed use impairment in a lake or reservoir, and only after the models are revised to address their overly conservative assumptions.”

Members with questions should contact Rob Brundrett. 8/20/2020

Ohio EPA Compliance Assistance Conference Set for Sept. 21 – Oct. 8

Ohio EPA’s Compliance Assistance Conference is going virtual this year. The annual event will be held Sept. 21 through Oct. 8. The free conference will provide daily interactive sessions focusing on compliance with air, waste, and water regulations — spaced over three consecutive weeks. The agency says registration and more information will be coming soon. 8/19/2020

Wanted: Proposals to Address Recycling, Reuse and Remanufacturing Challenges

The U.S. Department of Energy said this week that approximately $35 million will be distributed to support research and development that will enable U.S. manufacturers to increase the recovery, recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing of plastics, metals, electronic waste, and fibers. Learn more about this initiative to increase U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and promote a sustainable national manufacturing R&D infrastructure. 8/19/2020

Guidance for Industrial Storm Water Permitting

Ohio EPA has put together a handy document to help determine if your facility qualifies for a no exposure certification (NOE) for industrial storm water discharge permitting. This guidance will help businesses understand the NOE and changes you can make that may make you eligible for the NOE. 8/20/2020

Ohio Lake Erie Commission Seeks Comments on Ashtabula River Area of Concern

The Ohio Lake Erie Commission and Ohio EPA are accepting comments for the proposed removal of a beneficial use impairment that restricts navigational dredging activities within the Ashtabula River Area of Concern. Learn more here. 8/11/2020

Ohio Submits Ozone Documents to U.S. EPA

Last week, Ohio EPA submitted to U.S. EPA the emissions inventory and emission statement program to satisfy attainment demonstration requirements under the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The submissions and associated attachments can be read here. 7/30/2020

Ohio EPA Comment Opportunities

Ohio EPA has a number of upcoming opportunities to comment on a variety of rules, regulations and programs. In order of the fastest approaching deadline, opportunities include:

• Aug. 10, 2020, comments due, Division of Materials and Waste Management (DMWM), Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Operations Rule: OAC Rule 3745-27-19.
• Aug. 10, 2020, comments due, Division of Materials and Waste Management (DMWM), Coal Combustion Residual Rules.
• Aug. 12, 2020, comments due, Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization (DERR), Voluntary Action Program.
• Aug. 13, 2020, comments due and virtual public hearing, Division of Materials and Waste Management (DMWM), Solid Waste Management District Rule.
• Aug. 13, 2020, comments due, Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC), Sulfur Dioxide Regulations.
• Aug. 17, 2020, comments due and virtual public hearing, Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization (DERR), Hazardous Waste Set Gen.

If you are interested in working with the OMA on any of the above, please contact Rob Brundrett. 7/30/2020