Euclid Creek Watershed Council
Purpose
The goals of the Euclid Creek Watershed Council (ECWC) are to promote inter-jurisdictional cooperation in addressing watershed issues in the Euclid Creek watershed, including cooperation with the Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator to implement the Watershed Action Plan for the Euclid Creek.
Background and History
In
2000, 10 municipalities in the Euclid Creek Watershed organized informally,
with the assistance of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA),
to form a Euclid Creek Watershed Council to address common environmental, storm
water and development concerns in the Euclid Creek Watershed.
In 2001, NOACA obtained a grant from the Ohio Lake Erie Protection Fund to
develop a regional storm water program model for USEPA’s Phase II program and to
undertake a demonstration of the use of this model with Euclid Creek
Communities. The Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) served as
the watershed coordinator for this demonstration effort.
In 2002, the Cuyahoga SWCD obtained a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources (ODNR) for a Watershed Coordinator position for Euclid Creek to continue the Watershed Coordinator role for Euclid Creek.
Consistent with the goals of the ODNR Watershed Coordinator Program, the
purposes of this agreement are a) to facilitate development of a watershed plan
for the Euclid Creek, and b) to promote coordinated participation of local units
of government in the development of the plan.
Other goals of the Euclid Creek Watershed Council are to a) encourage broad based-stakeholder
involvement in the watershed planning process, and b) to assist the member
communities of the Euclid Creek Watershed Council in complying with the Phase II
storm water program.
In 2004, the ECWC established by-laws as an
operational organization with governance.
Since 2004, the program has developed a Euclid Creek Watershed Action Plan, established an annual public involvement and education program plan, and brought over $1.7 million to implement its programs and plan recommendations for improvement.
Steering Committee:
The Steering Committee is composed of the mayor of each city that participates in the Euclid Creek Watershed Council or his/her official designee. The Watershed Coordinator is also a member of the Steering Committee. ECWC Steering Committee meetings are held at least three times a year.
Chair: Mayor Georgine Welo, City of South Euclid (position appointed at the first meeting of each year)
Secretary: Claire Posius, Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator
Watershed Council Committees (Current Standing Committees):
Public
Involvement & Public Education Committee (PIPE)
Role: Provides and plans outreach materials and activities to promote and
educate residents on Euclid Creek and its stewardship.
Representatives consist of community residents and staff from each Euclid Creek
community.
Technical
Committee
Role: To provide and plan strategy to implement the Watershed Action Plan, TMDL
and NPDES Phase II requirements on a watershed-wide collaborative basis.
Representatives consist of City Engineers, Service Directors and regional
agencies.
Volunteer
Monitoring Program Committee
Role: To advise and develop a monitoring program for the Euclid Creek watershed.
Representatives consist of local educational institutions and Friends of Euclid
Creek members.
Any one interested in being on a committee, please contact the Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator or your local community.