Recipes For A Healthy Chagrin River Take A Minute In just sixty seconds, you can pick up a tip to help improve water quality in the Chagrin River Watershed.
Make A Change Take an idea from our recipe book, make a change, then repeat the cycle.
Spread The Word Spread the word . . . at home, at work, in school. Plant an idea with a friend and watch your efforts grow. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Recipes For A Healthy Chagrin River Watershed
Table of Contents
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Chagrin River Watershed ...... 2 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Stormwater ...... 4 Landscaping and Lawn Care ...... 6 Winter Stormwater ...... 8 From Driveways to Waterways ...... 9 Drop By Drop...... 10 Clean Living ...... 11 Septic Systems ...... 14 Boating and Marinas ...... 16 Streams and Rivers...... 17 Wetlands ...... 18 Preserving Your Property ...... 19 Getting Your Hands Wet...... 20 Where Do I Go From Here? ...... 21 1
••••••••••••••••••••••••••• and the East Branch from Heath Road Bridge down- Bridge Road Heath from Branch East the and
main stem of the Chagrin downstream to US Rt. 6, Rt. US to downstream Chagrin the of stem main
its confluence with the main stem of the Chagrin, the of stem main the with confluence its
49 miles includes the Aurora Branch from S.R. 82 to 82 S.R. from Branch Aurora the includes miles 49
State Scenic River in 1979. The original designation of designation original The 1979. in River Scenic State
Sieur de Saguin. The Chagrin was designated as a as designated was Chagrin The Saguin. de Sieur
the Shaguin to memorialize a French trader named trader French a memorialize to Shaguin the
First called the Elk River in the 1700’s. Later named Later 1700’s. the in River Elk the called First
its scenic characteristics. scenic its
nine municipalities and townships, yet has retained has yet townships, and municipalities nine
Cleveland metropolitan area, and flows through thirty- through flows and area, metropolitan Cleveland
Lake and Portage Counties to Lake Erie. It borders the borders It Erie. Lake to Counties Portage and Lake
eastern Ohio, including portions of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Cuyahoga, of portions including Ohio, eastern
River drains approximately 264 square miles in north- in miles square 264 approximately drains River
Covering an area of 264 square miles, the Chagrin the miles, square 264 of area an Covering
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chagrin River Watershed River Chagrin
2 2 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• stream to its confluence with the main stem. An additional 22-mile Scenic designation was extended in November 2002 to include the headwaters of the Chagrin, also known as the Upper Chagrin. A total of 71 miles is now designated as Scenic.
The Chagrin River watershed was shaped by glacial activity thousands of years ago. The resulting soils and geologic deposits contribute to the high quality and varied habitats within the watershed. The river valley offers a diversity of terrestrial and aquatic plant communities, wildlife, unique rock outcroppings, and extensive headwater wetlands. The Chagrin is one of only a few streams in Ohio known to support the American Brook Lamprey, a nonparasitic lamprey species and is also home to the native Ohio brook trout.
Land use has been changing in the Chagrin River valley since the settlers first arrived in the 1700’s. These families cleared forests and drained wetlands to build farms and villages. The Chagrin River, particularly in the area of Chagrin Falls, was used for mills in these early days as well. In spite of massive clearing and continued farming, residential, commercial and industrial development, the Chagrin River has maintained high water quality and natural beauty.
3
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
repair shop where proper disposal is ensured. is disposal proper where shop repair
for proper recycle/disposal information. Also consider having your car’s oil changed at an auto an at changed oil car’s your having consider Also information. recycle/disposal proper for
can contaminate up to 2 million gallons of water. Call your local Solid Waste Management District Management Waste Solid local your Call water. of gallons million 2 to up contaminate can
*
Recycle or properly dispose of used motor oil and other hazardous wastes. One quart of motor oil motor of quart One wastes. hazardous other and oil motor used of dispose properly or Recycle
or local Ohio State University Extension Office. Extension University State Ohio local or
to control pests and landscape your yard, contact your County Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Water and Soil County your contact yard, your landscape and pests control to
*
Remember, chemicals are not the only way to control pests and grow a nice lawn. For better ways better For lawn. nice a grow and pests control to way only the not are chemicals Remember,
label directions carefully. Never apply fertilizers or pesticides when rain is forecast. is rain when pesticides or fertilizers apply Never carefully. directions label
*
If you choose to use chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, use them sparingly and follow and sparingly them use herbicides, or pesticides fertilizers, chemical use to choose you If
easy solutions to help. to solutions easy
hard about stopping pollutants streaming into our local waters? Not a thing. We’ve cooked up some up cooked We’ve thing. a Not waters? local our into streaming pollutants stopping about hard
rivers, and lakes. These pollutants threaten the health and beauty of the Chagrin River. What’s so What’s River. Chagrin the of beauty and health the threaten pollutants These lakes. and rivers,
driveways, and lawns washes untreated through our ditches and storm drains and into our streams, our into and drains storm and ditches our through untreated washes lawns and driveways,
having an unhealthy impact on our waterways. Each time it rains everything we leave on our streets, our on leave we everything rains it time Each waterways. our on impact unhealthy an having
lawn. Certainly nothing illegal about any of it. But quietly, our most common household chores are chores household common most our quietly, But it. of any about illegal nothing Certainly lawn.
Walk the dog. Wash the car. Change the oil. Add some anti-freeze. Kill some weeds. Fertilize the Fertilize weeds. some Kill anti-freeze. some Add oil. the Change car. the Wash dog. the Walk
Stormwater 4 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• * Consider taking the car to a commercial car wash, where wastewater is managed to protect our waterways. Or consider washing the car on the grass with a mild biodegradable soap. * Reduce the amount of paved surfaces around your home. Using bricks, stones, or pea gravel for driveways, walkways and patios can reduce the amount of rainwater flowing into storm drains as well as help to filter pollutants. * Be sure that gutters and roof spouts empty onto the grass or into a covered rain barrel, where rainwater can soak into the ground or be used later for watering plants rather than rush over asphalt and concrete. Be sure to check with your local drainage codes and community officials to ensure your disconnection will not impact other property owners. * Keep leaves, grass clippings, fertilizers, soaps, litter and harmful chemicals away from streets, ditches, storm drains and waterways. These waste products feed our waterways with added nutrients and toxins that contribute to harmful algae blooms and fish kills. * Bag pet waste and place it in the trash. Pet waste con- tains harmful bacterial pollutants and nutrients which imperil waterway ecosystems. Pathogens from pet waste and combined sewer overflows contaminate Lake Erie beaches.
5
*
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••yard. your in meadow a create and lawn mowed actively of amount the Reduce
* Organic mulches also help retain moisture and reduce water use. water reduce and moisture retain help also mulches Organic
* Proper mowing and fertilizing techniques help conserve moisture and reduce water uses. water reduce and moisture conserve help techniques fertilizing and mowing Proper
* Trickle and drip irrigation systems can reduce water use by as much as 50 percent. 50 as much as by use water reduce can systems irrigation drip and Trickle
* Grouping plants by water needs makes watering more efficient. more watering makes needs water by plants Grouping
*
Native plant species also provide valuable wildlife habitat with available cover and food. and cover available with habitat wildlife valuable provide also species plant Native
can help you to select native plant species. plant native select to you help can
than introduced species. Your County Soil and Water Conservation District or Ohio State Extension State Ohio or District Conservation Water and Soil County Your species. introduced than
Properly selected native plants are adapted to our soils and climate, and require less watering less require and climate, and soils our to adapted are plants native selected Properly
*
Choose plants, shrubs, trees and ground covers that do well in your area with little or no watering. no or little with area your in well do that covers ground and trees shrubs, plants, Choose
tips for an eco-friendly lawn: eco-friendly an for tips
landscape is fun because you are planting species suited to Ohio’s climate and soils. Here are some are Here soils. and climate Ohio’s to suited species planting are you because fun is landscape
pesticides and fertilizers and pares down water bills. Best of all, designing and planting a native a planting and designing all, of Best bills. water down pares and fertilizers and pesticides
health of the Chagrin River and Lake Erie. Such landscaping uses less water, reduces dependence on dependence reduces water, less uses landscaping Such Erie. Lake and River Chagrin the of health
health of our waterways. Landscaping with native plants is one of the best ways to improve the improve to ways best the of one is plants native with Landscaping waterways. our of health
Each of the roughly 69,000 lawns growing in the Chagrin River Watershed has an impact on the on impact an has Watershed River Chagrin the in growing lawns 69,000 roughly the of Each
Landscaping and Lawn Care Lawn and Landscaping 6 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• * Mow lawns to the proper height, 3” for most lawns with a sharp blade, and never cut more than one third of the existing grass height at one time. Cutting too low leaves the lawn vulnerable to stress and disease. * Use a mulching mower and leave clippings on the lawn. * Nitrogen and phosphorous in fertilizers help grass grow. But used improperly or excessively and if allowed to run into our waterways, they spur oxygen-depleting algae blooms that kill fish and block sunlight from reaching underwater plant habitats. * Before fertilizing, test the soil to see if fertilizer is needed. Information on where to get soil test kits is available from local OSU Extension offices and your County Soil and Water Conservation District. Be sure you are using the right type and amount of fertilizer at the right time of year. * Build a backyard compost pile of leaves and grass clippings to create a naturally rich fertilizer and mulch. Mix two parts grass to one part leaves for the ideal carbon- nitrogen ratio needed to “cook” the pile. Stir the pile frequently and keep moist to quicken decomposition. * Mulch the leaves by running a mower over the lawn with the vent closed. By leaving clippings on the lawn after mowing, you can reduce the need for additional nitrogen with fertilizers by as much as one third.
7
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••season. planting spring for prepare you help also will months winter
sorbed into the soil; therefore, it does nothing to benefit your soil. Composting manure over the over manure Composting soil. your benefit to nothing does it therefore, soil; the into sorbed
tionally, when the ground is frozen, manure does not decompose and its nutrients are not ab- not are nutrients its and decompose not does manure frozen, is ground the when tionally,
the soil and is vulnerable to being washed away by the rain into our stormwater systems. Addi- systems. stormwater our into rain the by away washed being to vulnerable is and soil the
*
Manure does not break down during cold weather; it simply sits on top of top on sits simply it weather; cold during down break not does Manure Manure. Spread Don’t
Instead, take your car to a car wash and sweep your garage and properly dispose of the waste. the of dispose properly and garage your sweep and wash car a to car your take Instead,
plethora of other pollutants ooze from your car and often end up on the garage floor. garage the on up end often and car your from ooze pollutants other of plethora
not a good idea. Along with the residue left from de-icing materials, oil, gas, and a and gas, oil, materials, de-icing from left residue the with Along idea. good a not
and salt off of your car and out of your garage on a relatively warm winter day, this is this day, winter warm relatively a on garage your of out and car your of off salt and
*
While it is tempting to take out the hose and spray the gray sludge gray the spray and hose the out take to tempting is it While Rinsing: Garage No
walkways or driveways. This is readily available at your local hardware store. hardware local your at available readily is This driveways. or walkways
de-icing extensive amounts of roadway due to its cost, it is a feasible alternative to de-ice front de-ice to alternative feasible a is it cost, its to due roadway of amounts extensive de-icing
effective yet less harmful to our native flora and fauna. While KA is not a feasible alternative for alternative feasible a not is KA While fauna. and flora native our to harmful less yet effective
*
: Potassium Acetate (KA) is an alternative to road salt and is just as just is and salt road to alternative an is (KA) Acetate Potassium : Alternatives Salt Road
prevent storm water pollution throughout the winter months: winter the throughout pollution water storm prevent
carried to our stormwater system, rivers, and Lake Erie. There are a number of ways you can help can you ways of number a are There Erie. Lake and rivers, system, stormwater our to carried
runoff may not occur due to frozen conditions, when the snow melts, the pollutants are quickly are pollutants the melts, snow the when conditions, frozen to due occur not may runoff
In the winter, the frozen soil conditions do not allow stormwater to filter through the ground. While ground. the through filter to stormwater allow not do conditions soil frozen the winter, the In
Winter Stormwater Winter 8 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• From Driveways to Waterways
The best recipe to reduce water pollution, of course, is to prevent it. And around the home, the driveway is a good place to start. Take those cars of ours. Vehicle fluids such as oil, gas, antifreeze and brake fluids are among the nation’s leading water polluters. Here are some easy steps to reduce these pollutants. * Washing the car on the street or driveway on a sunny day may be as American as baseball. But car washing detergents are toxic to fish and other aquatic animals and may contain nutrients that cause algae blooms. The runoff also carries heavy metals, sediments, oil and grease that are washed off the vehicle. Consider taking the car to a commercial car wash. Or, try washing the car on the grass to filter pollutants. Using a nozzle on the hose limits water use and runoff. * If you spill engine degreaser, tire cleaner, brake fluid, antifreeze or oil on the driveway, do not hose it off. Instead, sprinkle cornmeal, sawdust, cat litter or a commercial absorbent product over the spill, let it soak a few hours, then sweep it up and properly dispose. * Fix that leak! Most of us wouldn’t think of pouring a quart of oil in the river or lake. Yet we allow our cars to leak oil, gas, and antifreeze onto our streets, roads, and parking lots and eventually into our waterways.
9
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
it rains and to minimize spraying water onto non-vegetated areas. non-vegetated onto water spraying minimize to and rains it
* Adjust the automatic irrigation systems to prevent their use when use their prevent to systems irrigation automatic the Adjust
*
Use drip irrigation systems or sweating or drip hoses. drip or sweating or systems irrigation drip Use
every 5 minutes. Consider using a broom and dust pan. dust and broom a using Consider minutes. 5 every
*
Washing a driveway or sidewalk with a hose uses about 50 gallons of water of gallons 50 about uses hose a with sidewalk or driveway a Washing
more treated water we are adding to our streams, rivers and lakes. and rivers streams, our to adding are we water treated more
* Using less water inside the house can also improve water quality. The more tap water we use the use we water tap more The quality. water improve also can house the inside water less Using
*
Putting a spray nozzle on your hose can save hundreds of gallons of water with each use. each with water of gallons of hundreds save can hose your on nozzle spray a Putting
more than 50 percent of the water we use to maintain our home landscapes. home our maintain to use we water the of percent 50 than more
*
Growing indigenous plants. Plants that are native to the area and properly selected, can save can selected, properly and area the to native are that Plants plants. indigenous Growing
our waterways. You can reduce your water use by: use water your reduce can You waterways. our
we are needlessly using water. The less water we use the less polluted runoff we will be sending to sending be will we runoff polluted less the use we water less The water. using needlessly are we
wash our cars, and even spray down our sidewalks and driveways to make them look nice. Too often, Too nice. look them make to driveways and sidewalks our down spray even and cars, our wash
Rain isn’t the only ingredient to water pollution. We water our yards to satisfy non-native plants, non-native satisfy to yards our water We pollution. water to ingredient only the isn’t Rain
Drop by Drop by Drop 10 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Clean Living
The slightest lifestyle change can have a big impact on the health of the Chagrin River and Lake Erie. * Remember, only rainwater belongs in a storm drain. * Opt for water-based latex paints over oil-based paints, and avoid thinners and strippers that contain chlorinated solvents. * Ask painters, carpet cleaners and other contractors how they keep pollutants from entering storm drains and the groundwater system. If you’re not satisfied, choose someone else. * Dispose household chemicals properly. Improper disposal of hazardous household chemicals can pollute the air, water and ground. Call your local community for proper disposal information. * Keep fertilizer, pesticides, automotive fluids, and other products away from paved areas where they can run off more easily. * Even biodegradable soaps are highly toxic to fish and aquatic wildlife. * Before draining your swimming pool, let pool water sit until testing no longer identifies chlorine or other sanitizers.
11
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
commercial drain opener. Another option: try pouring a can of soda down the drain. the down soda of can a pouring try option: Another opener. drain commercial
boiling water down the drain. This method is not to be used if you have already tried already have you if used be to not is method This drain. the down water boiling
vinegar. Cover the opening if possible. Let it sit for a few minutes, then pour a kettle full of full kettle a pour then minutes, few a for sit it Let possible. if opening the Cover vinegar.
Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain and follow with ½ cup of cup ½ with follow and drain the down soda baking of cup ½ Pour Cleaner: Drain
cleanser, as well as straight baking soda on a damp sponge. damp a on soda baking straight as well as cleanser, ing four tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of warm water also makes for a good general good a for makes also water warm of quart a in soda baking of tablespoons four ing
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Mixed together, vinegar and salt make a good surface cleaner. Dissolv- cleaner. surface good a make salt and vinegar together, Mixed cleaner: purpose All
in 1 quart of water. Wipe dry with a crumpled newspaper. crumpled a with dry Wipe water. of quart 1 in
Borax for every three cups of water. Still others rely on mixing a tablespoon of lemon juice lemon of tablespoon a mixing on rely others Still water. of cups three every for Borax
good quality squeegee makes the windows streak free. Others swear by 2 tablespoons of tablespoons 2 by swear Others free. streak windows the makes squeegee quality good
¼ cup vinegar, ½ teaspoon dish soap and 2 cups to 1 quart of water. A water. of quart 1 to cups 2 and soap dish teaspoon ½ vinegar, cup ¼ Cleaner: Window
today. Here are a few of Grandma’s best recipes. best Grandma’s of few a are Here today.
the environment than those hazardous household cleaners we buy from the grocery stores grocery the from buy we cleaners household hazardous those than environment the
baking soda, borax, vinegar, club soda and lemon juice, products far less harmful to people and people to harmful less far products juice, lemon and soda club vinegar, borax, soda, baking
trying to do was clean the house. Her time-honored cleaning recipes relied on the likes of likes the on relied recipes cleaning time-honored Her house. the clean was do to trying Turns out that Grandma was doing more to protect our rivers and lakes than we do. All she was she All do. we than lakes and rivers our protect to more doing was Grandma that out Turns
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Grandma Knows Best... Knows Grandma
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ 12 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
Disinfectant: Mix ½ cup Borax in a gallon of hot water and clean or dilute vinegar with water and use in a spray bottle. Decals and adhesives: In one word, vinegar. Saturate a sponge with hot vinegar and squeeze over no slip decals on the bathtub floor. Squeeze behind adhesive-backed hooks to pry them loose. Vinegar also removes decals, stickers and price tags from china, glass and wood. Just paint with coats of white vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rub off the sticker or decal. Cleaning and degreasing auto or boat parts: Use commercially sold soy-based or citrus-based cleaners. They are less toxic and they biodegrade. Polishing copper and silver: Use equal amounts of vinegar and salt to clean copper pots and pans. Boil your silver with a ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ teaspoon of salt in a pot with about 3 inches of water and a sheet of aluminum foil for several minutes. Then wipe off
tarnish with a clean cloth.
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 13
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
down raw sewage. raw down
chemicals can kill beneficial bacteria that break that bacteria beneficial kill can chemicals
They can do more harm than good because good than harm more do can They
*
Do not use chemicals for cleaning out the tank. the out cleaning for chemicals use not Do
pump-out requirements. pump-out
requirements. Check with your local community for community local your with Check requirements.
have mandatory pumping and point of sale inspection sale of point and pumping mandatory have
often. Many communities and local health departments health local and communities Many often.
gallon tank. Smaller tanks should be pumped more pumped be should tanks Smaller tank. gallon
every three years for a three bedroom home with a 1,000 a with home bedroom three a for years three every
*
The U.S. EPA recommends pumping out septic tanks septic out pumping recommends EPA U.S. The
are some helpful tips to maintain your system: your maintain to tips helpful some are
with dangerous nutrients and disease causing bacteria. Here bacteria. causing disease and nutrients dangerous with
maintained properly, underground septic systems could contaminate groundwater and surface water surface and groundwater contaminate could systems septic underground properly, maintained
American homes depend on home sewage treatment systems such as septic tanks. If not installed or installed not If tanks. septic as such systems treatment sewage home on depend homes American
household wastewater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one quarter of all of quarter one that estimates Agency Protection Environmental U.S. The wastewater. household
Over 30,000 homes in the Chagrin River watershed rely on underground septic systems to dispose of dispose to systems septic underground on rely watershed River Chagrin the in homes 30,000 Over
Septic Systems Septic 14 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• * Fix dripping faucets and install low-flow, water saving toilets and shower heads to avoid overloading the system. These fixtures, particularly shower heads, are readily available in this area and easy to install. * Commercial septic tank additives have been shown to be ineffective and are not recommended. * Install new septic systems as far away “Do not from water bodies as possible. use * Do not add grease, diapers, paper, plastics chemicals and cigarette butts to the system. These materials do not decompose and can clog for the system, increasing maintenance need cleaning while threatening area waterways and out the groundwater. tank. * Contact your local health department for more information They can about septic system maintenance. do more harm than good...”
15
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••rules. recycling their follow marina, a at disposing If shore.
* Secure trash in a garbage receptacle on board and dispose of it properly on properly it of dispose and board on receptacle garbage a in trash Secure
detergents, biodegradable products, and a scrub brush. scrub a and products, biodegradable detergents,
* Use environmentally friendly products on your boat, e.g., non-phosphate e.g., boat, your on products friendly environmentally Use
* Flush winterizing agents and antifreeze from the engine prior to launch each season. each launch to prior engine the from antifreeze and agents winterizing Flush
ments that block sunlight from reaching underwater vegetation. underwater reaching from sunlight block that ments
* Observe “no wake” zones. Boat wakes contribute to shoreline erosion and stir up bottom sedi- bottom up stir and erosion shoreline to contribute wakes Boat zones. wake” “no Observe
litter look bad, it injures and even kills aquatic life. aquatic kills even and injures it bad, look litter
* Empty sewage into shoreline wastewater facilities and never throw litter overboard. Not only does only Not overboard. litter throw never and facilities wastewater shoreline into sewage Empty
* Fuel-up carefully. Recycle used oil. Keep motors well tuned to prevent fuel and lubrication leaks. lubrication and fuel prevent to tuned well motors Keep oil. used Recycle carefully. Fuel-up
Use legal bottom paints; avoid toxic TBT paints. TBT toxic avoid paints; bottom legal Use
* Clean and maintain boats away from the water. Use a drop cloth. Vacuum paint chips and dust. and chips paint Vacuum cloth. drop a Use water. the from away boats maintain and Clean
simple steps to make a difference: a make to steps simple
who think the same, the impact swells. Clean boating means clean healthy waters. Follow these Follow waters. healthy clean means boating Clean swells. impact the same, the think who
not seem like much to you. But multiplied by the thousands of recreational and commercial boaters commercial and recreational of thousands the by multiplied But you. to much like seem not
The small amount of raw sewage, litter and used oil or cleaning products dumped off your boat might boat your off dumped products cleaning or oil used and litter sewage, raw of amount small The
Boating and Marinas and Boating 16 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Streams and Rivers
The river valley and Lake Erie are defining features of the communities in the Chagrin River water- shed, providing a variety of topography, fishing, boating, and scenic vistas. Many people who live in or visit the area do so because of our greatest asset – the water. There are a variety of things property owners can do to protect our streams and ultimately Lake Erie: * Plant native trees, shrubs and grasses. Such plantings have a greater success rate than non-native species. OSU Extension offices or your County Soil and Water Conservation District can offer advice on plant selection and placement. Establish a no mow zone of native plants between your lawn and the streambank – 30 feet or more is best. If access to the stream is desired, keep a small area mowed for picnic and seating areas. Natural buffers not only protect streambanks from storms, but also provide food and shelter for fish and wildlife, and protect your home from erosion and flooding. * Trees are especially important to streambank stability. Tree roots not only stabilize banks, but also assist in removal of excess nutrients and sedi- ments. By providing shade, trees decrease water temperature and create a much happier and healthier place for fish and other aquatic wildlife. * Keep livestock away from streambanks and provide them a water source away from waterbodies.
17
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
. etlands w in than
, and buckets and , es tir old , baths d bir , gutters as such ater w ,
ou will find mosquit find will ou y that likely oes carrying WNV in st in WNV carrying oes anding
level fluctuations deter and control mosquitoes. mosquitoes. control and deter fluctuations level e mor much is It
(WNV). In fact, healthy wetlands contain many predators of mosquito larvae and regular water regular and larvae mosquito of predators many contain wetlands healthy fact, In (WNV).
*
What about mosquitos? mosquitos? about What Many concerns have been raised regarding wetlands and West Nile Virus Nile West and wetlands regarding raised been have concerns Many
wetlands on your property. your on wetlands
Water Conservation District for additional information on steps you can take to create or restore or create to take can you steps on information additional for District Conservation Water
*
Restore wetlands. Contact the Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. or your County Soil and Soil County your or Inc. Partners, Watershed River Chagrin the Contact wetlands. Restore
30 feet of the wetland. the of feet 30
*
Establish areas of native plants at least 30 feet around the wetland or simply avoid mowing within mowing avoid simply or wetland the around feet 30 least at plants native of areas Establish
reduction. We need to protect our remaining wetlands and, where possible, restore wetlands. restore possible, where and, wetlands remaining our protect to need We reduction.
Our remaining wetlands provide valuable flood control, erosion control, habitat, and pollution and habitat, control, erosion control, flood valuable provide wetlands remaining Our
Over 80 percent of the original wetlands in the Chagrin River watershed have been filled or drained. or filled been have watershed River Chagrin the in wetlands original the of percent 80 Over
Wetlands 18 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Preserving Your Property
One of the best ways to protect the Chagrin River Watershed is to maintain functioning open space. Over the years many property owners have chosen to preserve their properties with no or limited development. Individual landowners can preserve their property through several mechanisms. Among the most common are land donation and conservation easements. The conservation easement is the tool most often used because it allows landowners to achieve their land protection goals while maintaining ownership and a high degree of control over their property. A conservation easement is a deed restriction on a piece of property to protect natural resources on the property while leaving it in private ownership. The easement guides future use of the property regardless of ownership, time, or other factors such as zoning. Easements provide numerous benefits, including: * Property owner maintains ownership of the property and can live on it, sell it, or pass it on to heirs, knowing that it will always be protected according to their wishes. * Easements can be tailored to each individual property depending on the land’s natural resources and the landowners wishes, as long as those uses do not harm the natural resources on the property. * Easements do not require public use of the land. * Easements can provide income tax, estate tax and property tax benefits.
19
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Department.
* Follow your nose…report bad odors and discolored runoff to your local community and Health and community local your to runoff discolored and odors bad nose…report your Follow
* Open dumping, including tires, trash and waste oil. waste and trash tires, including dumping, Open
* Grading machinery in a stream or wetland. or stream a in machinery Grading
*
Dumping cut trees into streams. into trees cut Dumping
tracked onto the road by construction vehicles, and soil left exposed for long periods. long for exposed left soil and vehicles, construction by road the onto tracked
*
Improper erosion and sediment controls on a construction site such as failing silt fences, mud fences, silt failing as such site construction a on controls sediment and erosion Improper
see one. Such recipes include: recipes Such one. see
nity and contact your local zoning inspector or Soil and Water Conservation District if you think you think you if District Conservation Water and Soil or inspector zoning local your contact and nity
In addition to volunteering, you can also keep a look-out for “recipes for disaster” in your commu- your in disaster” for “recipes for look-out a keep also can you volunteering, to addition In
Park District, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Ohio State Extension for details. for Extension State Ohio and District, Conservation Water and Soil District, Park
picking up litter to doing stream sampling – abound in our area. Check with your local government, local your with Check area. our in abound – sampling stream doing to litter up picking
water pollutants entering our waterways, but you still want to do more. Volunteer efforts– from efforts– Volunteer more. do to want still you but waterways, our entering pollutants water
OK, so you have done everything around your home you can think of to reduce the amount of storm of amount the reduce to of think can you home your around everything done have you so OK,
Getting Your Hands Wet Hands Your Getting 20 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Where Do I Go From Here?
The following local and state organizations assisted greatly in the production of Recipes and can help you with your questions about stormwater management and water pollution in your neighborhood:
Cuyahoga County
Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Cleveland Metroparks Conservation District (216) 351-6300 (216) 524-6580 www.clemetparks.com www.cuyahogaswcd.org Ohio State University Extension Cuyahoga County Health Department Cuyahoga County (216) 201-2000 (216) 397-6000 www.ccbh.net cuyahoga.osu.edu
Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District (216) 443-3749 www.cuyahogaswd.org
continued on page 22 21
u eauga.osu.ed •••••••••••••••••••••••••••g u .osu.ed e lak
(440) 350-2582 (440) (440) 834-4656 (440)
Lake County Lake Geauga County Geauga
Ohio State University Extension University State Ohio Ohio State University Extension University State Ohio
.com oparks etr em .lak www eaugapark .g www g ct.or distri
(440) 639-7275 (440) (440) 286-9516 (440)
Lake Metroparks Lake Geauga Park District Park Geauga
o.or tyohi ecoun .lak www waste d g/soli et/gtswm ecom.n .on www d
(440) 350-2582 (440) 1-800-707-2673
Lake County Solid Waste District Waste Solid County Lake Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste Management Districts Management Waste Solid Trumbull Geauga
g .or .lcghd www epartm eauga.oh.us/d .co.g www tm ct.h ealthdistri ts/h en
(440) 350-2543 (440) (440) 564-7131 (440)
Lake County Health Department Health County Lake Geauga County Health Department Health County Geauga
o.or tyohi ecoun .lak www g/soil .com eaugaswcd .g www
(440) 350-2730 (440) (440) 834-1122 (440)
Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Water and Soil County Lake Geauga County Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Water and Soil County Geauga
Lake County Lake Geauga County Geauga 22 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Portage County
Portage County Soil and Water Conservation District (330) 297-7633 www.portageswcd.org
Portage County Health Department (330) 296-9919 www.portageworkforce.org/portagecountydirectory/departments/health.htm
Portage County Solid Waste Management (330) 678-8808 www.portageworkforce.org/portagecountydirectory/departments/solidwaste.htm
Portage Park District (330) 673-9404 www.portageworkforce.org/portagecountydirectory/boardsandcommissions/parkdistrict.htm
Ohio State University Extension Portage County (330) 296-6432 portage.osu.edu continued on page 24 23
S/CLEANMARINAS/ GHT GHLI u/HI .ed o-state .sg.ohi
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••www
(614) 292-3548 (614)
Ohio Clean Marinas Program Marinas Clean Ohio
.com/coastal odnr .ohi www
(419) 626-7980 (419) g .or arb en old .h www
Office of Coastal Management Coastal of Office (440) 946-4400 (440)
The Holden Arboretum Holden The
tm am.h ogr tpr onpoin water/coastaln d .com/soilan odnr .ohi www
(419) 609-4102 (419)
g .cmnh.or www
Division of Soil and Water Conservation Water and Soil of Division
(216) 231-4600 (216)
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History Natural of Museum Cleveland The
ap .com/dn odnr .ohi www
(330) 527-4184 (330)
.cc .crlc www
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves and Areas Natural of Division
(440) 729-9621 (440)
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Natural of Department Ohio
Chagrin River Land Conservancy Land River Chagrin
u .ed o-state .sg.ohi www
g .crwp.or www (614) 292-8949 (614)
(440) 975-3870 (440) Ohio Sea Grant College Program College Grant Sea Ohio
Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. Partners, Watershed River Chagrin
www o ed .oh.us/n .epa.state
(330) 963-1200 (330) Regional
Ohio EPA - Northeast District Office District Northeast - EPA Ohio
State 24 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••
The Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. (CRWP) is a non-profit educational and technical organization formed in 1996 by 16 watershed communities to support their efforts to protect their natural resources as land uses continue to become more intense. Today CRWP represents 33 cities, villages, townships, counties, and park districts - 90% of the watershed. With offices in Willoughby, CRWP works with members across the watershed on zoning and land use tools to address current, and to minimize new, flooding, erosion, and water quality problems.
This publication is made possible by the generous financial support of the Coastal Zone Management Act, administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Ohio Coastal Management Program, administered by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Management.
Note: Information for all contacts mentioned is provided on page 24.
Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. 4145 Erie Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44096 440-975-3870 www.crwp.org 25 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. (CRWP) is a non- profit educational and technical organization formed in 1996 by 16 watershed communities to support their efforts to protect their natural resources as land uses continue to become more intense. Today CRWP represents 33 cities, villages, townships, counties, and park districts - 90% of the watershed. With of- fices in Willoughby, CRWP works with members across the watershed on zoning and land use tools to address current, and to minimize new, flooding, erosion, and water quality problems. This publication is made possible by the generous financial support of the Coastal Zone Management Act, administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Ohio Coastal Management Program, ad- ministered by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. Management. 4145 Erie Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44096 Note: Information for all contacts 440-975-3870 mentioned is provided on page 24. www.crwp.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * *