GET INVOLVED / WATERSHED RESOURCES
EUCLID CREEK WATERSHED COUNCIL
Cleveland WPC Green Infrastructure Project
EUCLID CREEK WATERSHED PROGRAM
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 $3.6 million to implement its programs and to get watershed improvement projects recommended in the Watershed Action Plan on the ground.
Euclid Creek Watershed Council:
The Euclid Creek Watershed Council 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 Euclid Creek Watershed Council and serves as the Secretary. The ECWC meets three times a year.
Chair: Mayor Georgine Welo, City of South Euclid (position appointed at the first meeting of each year)
Vice Chair: David Roche, City of Richmond Heights - President of Council
Secretary: Claire Posius, Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator
Watershed Council 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.
Meets: Three times a year
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.
Meets: On an as needed basis, usually 1-2 times a year
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.
Meets: On an as needed basis, usually one time a year
Any one interested in serving on a subcommittee, please contact the Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator or your local community.
Watershed Council Meetings:
2011 Meetings
February 3, 2011 - hosted by City of Beachwood - Agenda - ReLEAF project presentation - Meeting Minutes - Sign-In Sheet
June 16, 2011 - hosted by City of Highland Heights - Agenda - Euclid Creek Storage Tunnel presentation - Meeting Minutes - Sign-In Sheet
September 22, 2011 - hosted by City of South Euclid - Agenda - Sign-In-Sheet
Public
Involvement & Public Education Committee (PIPE)
2011 Outreach Theme: Cuyahoga SWCD
focused our outreach efforts on the theme "Steer Clear of Pollutants".
Illicit discharges to the community storm sewer system and drainage network
convey pollutants such as oil, gas and other automotive fluids, soapy water and
undertreated sewage directly to local rivers and lakes. All materials
disseminated to Euclid Creek communities, per their
Storm Water MS4
permit requirements, related to this annual education theme.
2011 Educational Materials
Storm Water Articles
Spring Cleaning - Proper Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste
Illegal Dumping - A serious Issue
Storm Water Poster
Steer Clear of Pollutants (Community specific posters: Beachwood, Cleveland, Euclid, Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, Richmond Heights, South Euclid)
Educational Mailing
Mailing sent to 10% of Watershed Community's households related to annual theme - Steer Clear of Pollutants brochure
Euclid Creek Watershed Community Fact Sheets
Beachwood, Cleveland, Euclid, Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, Richmond Heights, South Euclid