Version 1.0 October 18, 2018

SIBLEY CREEK-OTTAWA RIVER HUC 12: 04100001 03 08

Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plan

Funded by: Prepared by:

Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

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Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

CONTENTS

1 Introduction ...... 6 1.1 Report Background ...... 7 1.2 Watershed Profile and History ...... 9 1.3 Public Participation and Involvement ...... 10 2 Watershed Characterization and Assessment Summary ...... 12 2.1 Summary of Watershed Characterization ...... 12 2.2 Summary of Biological Trends ...... 15 2.3 Summary of Pollution Causes and Associated Sources ...... 21 2.4 Additional Information ...... 22 3 Conditions & Restoration Strategies for the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River Critical Areas ...... 25 3.1 Overview of Critical Areas ...... 25 3.2 Critical Area #1: Conditions, Goals, & Objectives ...... 26 3.3 Critical Area #2: Conditions, Goals, & Objectives ...... 32 3.4 Critical Area #3: Conditions, Goals, & Objectives ...... 38 4 Projects and Implementation Strategy ...... 43 4.1 Critical Area #1: Overview Table and Project Sheets ...... 44 4.2 Critical Area #2: Overview Table and Project Sheets ...... 48 4.3 Critical Area #3: Overview Table and Project Sheets ...... 52 5 References ...... 57

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TABLES

Table 1. Land cover in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU (HUC 04100001 03 08) ...... 13 Table 2. Overall biological indices scores in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed – Ohio EPA ...... 16 Table 3. Most widespread fish species captured in Sibley Creek and the Ottawa River from 2007 through 2014 ...... 18 Table 4. Sibley Creek-Ottawa River QHEI matrix with WWH and MWH attributes ...... 20 Table 5. Causes and sources of aquatic life use impairments in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed ...... 21 Table 6. Historical biological indices scores in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed – Ohio EPA ...... 22 Table 8. Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU (HUC 04100001 03 08) Critical Areas ...... 25 Table 9. Land Cover in Critical Area 1 of Sibley Creek-Ottawa River ...... 26 Table 10. Fish community and habitat data for Critical Area 1 ...... 28 Table 11. Macroinvertebrate community health data for Critical Area 1 ...... 28 Table 12. Land Cover in Critical Area 2 of Sibley Creek-Ottawa River ...... 32 Table 13. Fish community and habitat data for Critical Area 2 ...... 33 Table 14. Macroinvertebrate community health data for Critical Area 2 ...... 34 Table 15. Land Cover in Critical Area 3 of Sibley Creek-Ottawa River ...... 38 Table 16. Fish community and habitat data for Critical Area 3 ...... 39 Table 17. Macroinvertebrate community health data for Critical Area 3 ...... 40 Table 18. Overview table for Critical Area 1 ...... 45 Table 19. Overview table for Critical Area 2 ...... 49 Table 20. Overview table for Critical Area 3 ...... 53

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FIGURES

Figure 1. Maumee Area of Concern and its HUC-12 watersheds ...... 6 Figure 2. The lacustuary zone of the Ottawa River at Summit Street Bridge ...... 7 Figure 3. The stretch of the Ottawa River that flows through the University of Toledo main campus in the upstream portion of the watershed...... 8 Figure 4. The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed...... 9 Figure 5. April 24, 2018 public engagement meeting ...... 10 Figure 6. Materials from the public and stakeholder engagement meetings ...... 11 Figure 7. Soil and wetland types across the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed ...... 12 Figure 8. Land cover in Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed ...... 14 Figure 9. Bank of the Ottawa River at Monroe Street...... 15 Figure 10. Sample points located in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed ...... 17 Figure 11. A tributary to Ottawa River that flows through a wooded area in Willys Park...... 19 Figure 12. Tributary to the Ottawa River at Willys Park...... 21 Figure 13. The Ottawa River near the Ottawa Park golf course, just downstream of sample point P11S51 (RM10.6)...... 23 Figure 14. Lake seiches impacts the lacustuary zone of the Ottawa River, including the stretch of the river near North Summit Street...... 24 Figure 15. Critical Areas in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU ...... 25 Figure 16. Ottawa River floodplain in Jermain Park in Critical Area 1...... 27 Figure 17. Critical Area 1 in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed...... 27 Figure 18. The Ottawa Park golf course (to the right) along the Ottawa River. Golf courses are a common source of excess nutrients in streams...... 29 Figure 19. Critical Area 2 in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed...... 33 Figure 20. One of the two low-head dams (right) at Woodlawn Cemetery that are restricting flow in the tributary to the Ottawa River that flows through the property...... 34 Figure 21. One of the dammed ponds at Woodlawn Cemetery...... 37 Figure 22. Critical Area 3 in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed...... 39 Figure 23. The Ottawa River at Schwartz Road Bridge...... 40 Figure 24. Site of proposed wetland restoration at Ottawa Park (Project 1)...... 44 Figure 25. One of the low-head dams proposed for removal in Woodlawn Cemetery (Project 1)...... 48 Figure 26. Site of proposed wetland restoration (Project 2)...... 52 Figure 27. Proposed location for Ottawa River habitat islands (Project 1)...... 55

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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

Acronyms/Abbreviations Definition ALU aquatic life use BMP best management practice BOD biochemical oxygen demand BUI beneficial use impairment DELT Deformities, Erosions, Lesions, and Tumors HUC hydrologic unit code IBI Index of Biotic Integrity ICI Invertebrate Community Index LRW limited resource water MIwb Modified Index of Well-Being MWH modified warmwater habitat NPS-IS Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategy Ohio EPA Ohio Environmental Protection Agency PAH Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon PCB Polychlorinated biphenyl PCS Partners for Clean Streams PSS project summary sheet QHEI Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index RM river mile TMACOG Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load TN total nitrogen TP total phosphorous TSS total suspended solids U.S. EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service WAU watershed assessment unit WQS water quality standards WWH warmwater habitat

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report was authored by The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc. (MSG) and prepared by MSG and Tetra Tech with funding from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA). The project could not have been accomplished without technical expertise and insight from many individuals and organizations, including:

Cherie Blair Ohio EPA Pete Carr Fulton Soil & Water Conservation District Regina Collins City of Toledo Division of Environmental Services Melanie Coulter Black Swamp Conservancy Kevin Czajkowski University of Toledo Department of Geography and Planning Marissa Delancy City of Toledo Division of Environmental Services Kari Gerwin Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) Russ Gibson Ohio EPA Beth Landers Wood Soil & Water Conservation District Maumee Area of Concern Advisory Council Kimberly Panozzo University of Toledo Department of Geography and Planning Kristina Patterson Partners for Clean Streams Alexis Sakas The Nature Conservancy Tim Schetter Metroparks Toledo Scott Sibley City of Toledo Engineering Services TMACOG Watersheds Committee Rick Wilson Ohio EPA Steve Woods The Nature Conservancy Mike Young Woodlawn Cemetery

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1 INTRODUCTION

Sibley Creek feeds into the Ottawa River and ultimately drains into the Northern Maumee Bay in western Lake Erie. The downstream portion of the Ottawa River from river-mile (RM) 11.7 to the outlet as well as several named and unnamed streams including Sibley Creek and Peterson Ditch make up the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed assessment unit (WAU) with hydrologic unit code (HUC) 04100001 03 08. The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU is in the Ottawa-Stony sub-basin (HUC 04100001) and the Western Basin of Lake Erie. The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU is 22.35 square miles and is located within the City of Toledo and the Village of Ottawa Hills in Lucas County, Ohio. Sibley Creek-Ottawa River is within the Maumee Area of Concern (Maumee AOC; see Figure 1) that was established as part of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada (Agreement). The Agreement seeks to restore and protect waters of the Great Lakes and provides a framework for identifying priorities and implementing actions that improve environmental quality in designated AOCs. In 1987, the Agreement designated 43 AOCs across the Great Lakes basin, including the Maumee AOC that drains to Lake Erie in Ohio. Ten beneficial use impairments (BUIs) were identified for the Maumee AOC.

Figure 1. Maumee Area of Concern and its HUC-12 watersheds

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State and federal nonpoint source (NPS) funding is now closely tied to strategic implementation-based planning that meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) nine minimum elements of a watershed plan for impaired waters. This nonpoint source implementation strategy (NPS-IS) plan was authored by The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc. (MSG). MSG and Tetra Tech collaborated to produce seven NPS-IS plans under contract with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA). The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS plan is one of 20 NPS-IS plans being developed by Tetra Tech, MSG, and several other organizations for WAUs throughout the Maumee AOC to address the loss of fish and wildlife habitat BUI of the Maumee AOC1. As of the writing of this plan, six other NPS-IS plans in the Maumee AOC have been previously approved by the U.S. EPA. 1.1 REPORT BACKGROUND

This NPS-IS plan builds upon the Maumee River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) of 1997, which outlined restoration goals for the Ottawa River and Swan Creek watersheds (Maumee RAP 1997). The 1997 RAP was developed by the Maumee RAP committee created as a result of the Agreement. This committee created the Maumee AOC Stage 2 Watershed Restoration Plan in 2006, which identified best management practices (BMPs) and restoration targets for the entire Maumee AOC (Maumee RAP 2006). Attention is now being focused on addressing nonpoint source pollution within each HUC-12 watershed in the Maumee AOC as opposed to one nine-element plan generalized across the whole AOC.

Figure 2. The lacustuary zone of the Ottawa River at Summit Street Bridge

The Ohio EPA is currently working on a Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) report for the Ottawa River and River Raisin Watersheds which will outline the causes and sources of impairments, prioritize sources to address, and set TMDL levels across the watershed. As of the writing of this NPS-IS plan, the TMDL study has not been published. However, in 2015 the Ohio EPA published the Biological and Water Quality Study of Tenmile Creek and the Ottawa River, which indicated designated use impairments and water quality and biological data associated with the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU (Ohio EPA 2015). The Ohio EPA also published two reports in 2007, with data collected for Sibley Creek and the Ottawa River from RM 8.6 to RM 3.5 (Ohio EPA 2007a and 2007b). Additionally, Partners for Clean Streams (PCS) published a wetland inventory and restoration plan for the Swan Creek and Ottawa River

1 In 2016, the Maumee AOC Advisory Committee proposed a management action to develop nine element watershed plans that will identify projects to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat. U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office awarded funding to Ohio EPA to develop these 20 NPS-IS plans. Ohio EPA is providing funding to several organizations to develop the NPS-IS plans.

7 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS watersheds in 2009 that identified restoration BMPs and project opportunities in the two watersheds (PCS 2009). In 2004, the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) published the Ottawa River Sediment Remediation Priorities Project Report which presented sediment sampling data and providing recommendations for contaminated sediment restoration in the stretch of the Ottawa River in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU (TMACOG 2004). This NPS-IS plan is built upon and references these previous reports. In addition, the Ohio EPA and Region 3 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published a draft restoration plan and environmental assessment for the length of the Ottawa River located in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU in 2016 (USFWS and Ohio EPA 2016). This report outlines preferred restoration alternatives and projects to restore and replace natural resources damaged and lost to hazardous substances and pollution. Controlling nonpoint source pollution and addressing causes and sources of impairments in the Sibley Creek- Ottawa River watershed is an important step in removing BUIs within the sub-watershed and within the greater Maumee AOC. This NPS-IS plan is specifically focused on recommendations working toward delisting BUI #14: loss of fish and wildlife habitat and attainment of state water quality standards (WQS).

Figure 3. The stretch of the Ottawa River that flows through the University of Toledo main campus in the upstream portion of the watershed.

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1.2 WATERSHED PROFILE AND HISTORY

The Ottawa River is 15 miles long and flows through the cities of Sylvania and Toledo before flowing into the Northern Maumee Bay in Lake Erie. The Ottawa River is contained within three sub-watersheds: the Tenmile Creek watershed (HUC 04100001 03 06), the Heldman Ditch-Ottawa River watershed (HUC 04100001 03 07), and the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed (HUC 04100001 03 08). The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed encompasses one unnamed stream and a few named streams: Sibley Creek, Peterson Ditch, Flieg Ditch, and Williams Ditch2; in addition to the Ottawa River from RM 11.7 to its outlet. The majority of the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU is within the Toledo city limits and is largely urbanized and developed. A small portion of the watershed is also within the Village of Ottawa Hills.

Figure 4. The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed

The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed directly abuts the Lake Erie coastline and part of the watershed lies within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Area. Parts of the watershed are also influenced by Lake Erie tidal hydrology. Due to the high level of development in the watershed, priority should be placed on conserving undeveloped open space, protecting parcels near streams, and improving existing infrastructure and management practices on developed land to reduce impacts on Lake Erie.

2 Flieg Ditch is listed as a tributary to the Ottawa River at RM 9.66 and Williams Ditch is listed as a tributary to Flieg Ditch at RM 1.0 in the Ohio Water Quality Standards (Ohio EPA 2017).

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Much of northwest Ohio, including the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU, is located in what was once the Great Black Swamp. This area was a large network of forests, marshes, and wetlands that stretched from Maumee Bay in Lake Erie southwest to Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Historically a glacial lake bottom, the Great Black Swamp sat atop a flat area dominated by clay soils and black muck with dense vegetation. In the late nineteenth century, most of the Swamp was drained through man-made ditches to make way for agriculture and human settlements. Some remnants of the Great Black Swamp remain, and the area is prone to seasonal flooding. Today, lowlands and areas surrounding streams are especially good candidates for wetland restoration to return the land back to its native ecosystem and regain the lost ecological functions of the Great Black Swamp (Maumee RAP 2006a). 1.3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT

When developing watershed planning and restoration plans such as this NPS-IS plan, it is important to have involvement and input from a diverse group of individuals and organizations. This group should include members of the public, private businesses and organizations, academia, governmental agencies, non-profits, and community organizations. Many partners have been working in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed and the greater Maumee AOC in order to improve water quality and increase ecological restoration. These partners focus on a diverse set of interests, from access to green space to reducing nutrient loading in Lake Erie. Some of the key partners working in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed include: the City of Toledo, Woodlawn Cemetery, TMACOG, PCS, and Lucas County Soil and Water Conservation District. Representatives from Tetra Tech and MSG held a public and stakeholder meeting3 on April 24, 2018 to discuss NPS-IS plans for seven watersheds in the Maumee AOC, including Sibley Creek- Ottawa River (see Figure 5). The purpose of this meeting was to introduce the NPS-IS project and discuss critical areas and potential projects in the watershed. Then on April 25, 2018, Tetra Tech and MSG presented a brief overview of the NPS-IS project to the TMACOG Watershed Committee4 at their quarterly meeting. The TMACOG Watershed Committee is made up of a diverse group of stakeholders from municipal and state entities, non-profits, and private firms concerned with improving water quality in the region and Lake Erie. The purpose of the presentation was to solicit feedback on critical areas and project ideas for the NPS-IS plans being authored by Tetra Tech and MSG, including the Sibley Creek- Ottawa River WAU. On June 5th, representatives from Tetra Tech and MSG met with staff from the City of Toledo’s Division of Engineering Services and Division of Environmental Services to discuss potential restoration projects on city-owned land in four Figure 5. April 24, 2018 public engagement meeting watersheds in the Maumee AOC, including the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU. This discussion served as a forum to gather feedback on critical areas and projects to include in the NPS-IS plans.

3 The public stakeholder meeting was attended by representatives of Black Swamp Conservancy, the City of Toledo, and Wood County Soil and Water Conservation District.

4 The TMACOG Watershed Committee meeting was attended by representatives of state agencies (ODNR and Ohio EPA), local agencies (Lucas County, TMACOG, City of Toledo, and Metroparks Toledo), non-profit organizations ( Partners for Clean Streams), and private firms (Civil & Environmental Consultants, Davey Resources Group, and The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.).

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This report was primarily authored by MSG. Chapter 1 was written using information from the Maumee Area of Concern Stage 2 Watershed Restoration Plan (Maumee RAP 2006a). Chapters 2 and 3 drew from information from the Biological and Water Quality Study of Tenmile Creek and the Ottawa River reports (Ohio EPA 2007a, 2007b, and 2015), the Ottawa River Sediment Remediation Priorities Project Report (TMACOG 2004), and the Draft Natural Resource Restoration Plan & Environmental Assessment for the Ottawa River Assessment Area (USFWS and Ohio EPA 2016). Critical areas were delineated by MSG with feedback from the Ohio EPA and stakeholder meetings. Project information included in Chapter 4 was compiled with the help of various stakeholders including the City of Toledo and Woodlawn Cemetery.

Figure 6. Materials from the public and stakeholder engagement meetings

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2 WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION AND ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

2.1 SUMMARY OF WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION

The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed is in the eastern part of the Ohio portion of the Ottawa-Stony sub-basin (HUC 04100001). The watershed is dominated by urban land use, resulting in degraded stream habitat and polluted sediment throughout the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed. 2.1.1 Physical and Natural Features The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU (HUC 04100001 03 08) is part of the Ottawa River-Frontal Lake Erie watershed (HUC 04100001 03) and encompasses the Ottawa River from RM 11.7 to its outlet into Lake Erie. Several named and unnamed streams feed into the Ottawa River in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed: Sibley Creek, Peterson Ditch, Flieg Ditch, and Williams Ditch. The entire HUC-12 watershed drainage area is 22.35 square miles, changing in elevation from 630 feet above mean sea level (msl) in the upland areas in the northwest part of the watershed to 569 feet msl (lake-level) at the point where the Ottawa River drains into Lake Erie (see Figure 7).

Figure 7. Soil and wetland types across the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed

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The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU is entirely contained in the Huron-Erie Lake Plains level III ecoregion (#57). The western two-thirds of the watershed is composed of the Oak Openings level IV ecoregion (#57b), while the remaining one-third of the watershed in the east is in the Maumee Lake Plain level IV ecoregion (#57a) (U.S. EPA 2012). The bedrock geology in the watershed is composed of sedimentary rock: mainly dolomite, gypsum, salt, and shale, with origins in the Silurian period (Ohio Division of Geological Survey 2006). The Toledo area rests on silty- clay deposits that were once the lake bottoms of Lake Maumee, Lake Whittlesey, and Lake Warren, the ancestors of present-day Lake Erie. These lakes, as they retreated, left behind the silty-clay deposits that later became the Great Black Swamp south of the Maumee River and the clay soils in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed. The soils in this watershed are generally flat or gently sloping, silty loam, and somewhat to very poorly drained (Maumee RAP 2006a). Due to the urban development in the watershed, most of the soils are unclassified or listed under urban soils (Soil Survey Staff 2017). Marshes, wetland, and forests along Lake Erie serve as important bird habitat due to their location at the intersection of the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways. At all times of the year, but especially during spring and fall migration when over 300 bird species journey through the area to reach more northern breeding grounds, coastal and shoreline habitats host migratory and resident birds. The Maumee RAP identifies one site in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River as significant bird habitat – the historic Woodlawn Cemetery, which contains an unnamed tributary to the Ottawa River. 2.1.2 Land Use and Protection Land cover in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed is predominately low intensity developed (40%) followed by medium intensity developed (26%) (See Table 1 and Figure 8). The city of Toledo as a whole saw a 3.7% decrease in population from 2010 to 2016 (U.S. Census Bureau 2016). Table 1. Land cover in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU (HUC 04100001 03 08)

Land Cover Area (acres) Area (% of watershed) Open water 272 2% Developed, open space 1,417 10% Developed, low Intensity 5,621 40% Developed, medium intensity 3,724 26% Developed, high intensity 2,180 15% Barren land 26 <1% Deciduous forest 252 2% Evergreen forest 4 <1% Mixed forest -- -- Shrub/scrub -- -- Grassland/herbaceous -- -- Pasture/hay 424 3% Cultivated crops -- -- Woody wetlands 2 <1% Emergent herbaceous wetlands 150 1% Totala 14,073 100% Source: Homer et al. 2015 Notes: Areas rounded to the nearest acre or percentage point A double dash indicates that the land cover is not present a. Totals do not sum exactly due to rounding

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Figure 8. Land cover in Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed

Over 93% of historical wetland coverage in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU has been lost; however, a few wetland remnants remain along Sibley Creek and the Ottawa River (Ohio EPA 2016). The City of Toledo owns Ottawa Park, Beatty Park, and Jermain Park along the Ottawa River, Willys Park along an unnamed tributary, and a few vacant parcels along the Ottawa River and Sibley Creek. Three large cemeteries are located within the watershed: Memorial Park Cemetery, Calvary Cemetery, and the Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. There are a variety of land uses across the watershed including residential, industrial, and commercial. The University of Toledo main campus and Scott Park Campus are both located within the WAU. The ProMedica Hospital is also in the watershed, just north of Jermain Park along the Ottawa River. The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU also contains current and historical industrial land use, most notably the Overland Industrial Site, which has heavily contributed to the water quality problems seen across the watershed. The Overland site was an automotive manufacturing plant from 1910 to 2006 and has undergone a large brownfield remediation. It is currently being redeveloped into a sustainable business park and recreational amenity. In addition, there is currently a Chrysler assembly plant in the lacustuary zone of the Ottawa River. The watershed also contains at least five landfills along the Ottawa River. Two of these are still in operation: Hoffman Road Landfill and Brooklyn North Recycling (formerly called Stickney Recycling). The Dura Avenue landfill, Tyler Street landfill, and Stickney Avenue landfill have all been retired and capped.

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The western part of the watershed is dominated by residential developments. This area historically contained streams and wetlands that acted as tributaries to the Ottawa River. These tributaries have since been buried in gray infrastructure underground. Furthermore, the majority of the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU is serviced by Toledo’s combined sewer system. Installing green infrastructure in these areas to detain storm water would help to decrease the burden on the combined sewer system during heavy storm events. 2.2 SUMMARY OF BIOLOGICAL TRENDS

Ohio EPA published the Biological and Water Quality Study of Tenmile Creek and the Ottawa River report in 2015, which reported sampled data from 2011 for the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed (Ohio EPA 2015). A TMDL report for the watershed is currently in development. The Ottawa River has a designated aquatic life use (ALU) of warmwater habitat (WWH), and Sibley Creek, Flieg Ditch, and Williams Ditch have designated ALUs of limited resource water (LRW) (Ohio EPA 2017). Attainment of an ALU is determined by using multiple biological indices: the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and Modified Index of well-being (MIwb) which measure the fish community, and the Invertebrate Community Index (ICI) which measures the macroinvertebrate community. When all three indices meet their associated criteria, the ALU is determined to be in full attainment. Attainment is partial when at least one of the indices does not meet its criteria and narrative performance does not fall below the fair category. Attainment is non if all indices fail to meet criteria or if any one index indicates poor or very poor narrative performance. In addition, the Qualitative Health Evaluation Index (QHEI) is used to evaluate physical habitat and a stream’s ability to support a viable and diverse aquatic fauna. The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU has been sampled extensively by the Ohio EPA since 1986.This plan focuses on the most recent data collected at the sample sites, and sites last sampled prior to 2007 were not included in the analysis. However, data collected since 1986 is available in Section 2.4. Two of the Ohio EPA’s sample stations (P11K59 and P11S51) are currently in full attainment of Ohio’s biological criteria for their designated ALU5. All other sample stations in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed are in non-attainment (see Table 2 and Figure 10). One sample station (P11S74) dropped from partial attainment in 2011 to non-attainment in 2014 due to degraded fish and macroinvertebrate populations (see Table 2 and Table 6). Attainment data from 2007 does not reflect results of the large contaminated sediment dredging and removal project from RM 8.8 to the mouth that was completed in 2010 (see Section 2.4.1 for more information). Attainment at the sampling points in the dredged region are based on 2007 data; however, more recent data is available for some biological indices at a portion of sample points and is discussed when relevant in Section 3.

Figure 9. Bank of the Ottawa River at Monroe Street.

5 The biological criteria for wading WWH streams in the HELP (Huron Erie Lake Plain) ecoregion are an IBI of 32, a MIwb of 7.3, and an ICI of 34. The target QHEI score for wading WWH streams is 60. The biological criteria for boating WWH streams in the HELP ecoregion are an IBI of 34, a MIwb of 8.6, and an ICI of 34. The target QHEI score for boating WWH streams is 60.

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Table 2. Overall biological indices scores in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed – Ohio EPA

RM (Drainage area mi2) Site ID Year* IBI/MIwb ICIa Status QHEI Ottawa River (WWH) 11.6W (154.0) P11K59 2014 32/6.9ns 30ns Full 66.5 11.1W (155.0) P11S74 2014 24/6.8ns 20 Non 55.0 10.9W (155.0) 301443 2014 26/7.9 20 Non 49.0 10.6W (133.0) P11S51 2011 30ns/8.2 30ns Full 67.0 9.4B (155.6) 301444 2011 25/8.4ns 24 Non 72.0 8.6B (160.0) P11S50 2007 33ns/7.4 20 Non 49.5 8.0B (162.0) P11S72 2007 27/6.0 22 Non 47.5 6.8B (166.0) P11K57 2007 28/5.9 18 Non 47.0 6.2B (167.0) P11S48 2007 28/6.2 20 Non 46.5 5.8B (167.0) 204338 2007 32ns/6.1 18 Non 43.5 5.5B (168.0) P11K56 2007 25/6.0 22 Non 41.5 5.3B (169.0) 204328 2007 32ns/6.9 18 Non 45.0 5.0B (172.0) 504220 2007 27/6.6 16 Non 38.0 4.6B (172.0) P11K55 2007 22/6.3 22 Non 36.0 3.5B (173.0) P11A13 2007 21/6.8 14 Non 40.0 Sibley Creek (LRW) 0.8H (2.3) P11S90 2007 12/H VP Non 42.0 0.2H (2.6) 204357 2007 24/H VP Non 41.0 0.1H (2.6) 204356 2007 32/H VP Non 41.0 Sources: Ohio EPA 2015 (data from 2011), Ohio EPA 2007a, Ohio EPA 2007b, and PCS 2018 Notes Green scores meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. Red scores do not meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. * The attainment data from 2007 does not reflect results of the large contaminated sediment dredging and removal project from RM 8.8 to the mouth that was completed in 2010. ns. Nonsignificant departure from biocriterion (≤4 IBI or ICI units; ≤0.5 MIwb units) a. Narrative evaluation used in lieu of ICI (E=Exceptional, VG=Very Good, Good, MG=Marginally Good, Fair, LF=Low Fair, Poor, VP=Very Poor) B. Boating site. H. Headwater site (< 20mi2), MIwb is not applicable. W. Wading site.

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Figure 10. Sample points located in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed

2.2.1 Fish Community Health Fish data has been collected in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU by Ohio EPA since 1986. In general, fish community health (as measured by IBI and MIwb) in the watershed has been improving since the earliest sample dates (see Table 6). However, 14 of the 18 total sample sites have IBI or MIwb scores below the biological criteria (see Table 2). The 2015 TSD report indicates that the Ottawa River fish community “lacked species intolerant of pollution and included disproportionally few [species] that need clean well sorted substrates” (Ohio EPA 2015). Sampled fish populations from 2007 to 2014 were mainly comprised of pollution tolerant fish (see Table 3). However, there were a few instances of moderately sensitive species recorded in the 2011 surveys that were previously not documented or else their populations increased – Golden Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse, Logperch, and Sand Shiner (Ohio EPA 2015). 7.1% of captured fish in the Ottawa River in 2007 displayed DELTs6, an improvement over 16.4% in 1996 (Ohio EPA 2007b). An invasive species, the Round Goby, has also increased in the watershed. In general, lithophilic fish species (those requiring gravel substrates) were poorly represented, reflecting the limited substrate conditions (see Section 2.2.3).

6 DELT=Deformities, Erosions, Lesions, and Tumors

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Fish community sampling by the Ohio EPA in 2007 indicates that limited numbers of fish were captured at the mouth of Sibley Creek (RMs 0.1 and 0.2), and all collected species were pollution tolerant. No fish were captured at the site furthest upstream (RM 0.8) (Ohio EPA 2007a).

Table 3. Most widespread fish species captured in Sibley Creek and the Ottawa River from 2007 through 2014

Common Name Scientific Name Feed Guilda Pollution Toleranceb Collected at most or all sites in relatively large numbers Bluegill Sunfish Lepomis macrochirus I P Bluntnose Minnow Pimephales notatus O T Common Carp* Cyprinus carpio O T Emerald Shiner Notropis atherinoides I N/A Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum O N/A Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas I T Goldfish* Carassius auratus O T Green Sunfish Lepomis cyanellus I T Pumpkinseed Sunfish Lepomis gibbosus I P Collected at most or all sites in relatively small numbers Brown Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus I T Central Stoneroller Campostoma anomalum H N/A Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus G T Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas O T Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens N/A P Golden Redhorse Moxostoma erythrurum I M Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides C N/A Logperch Percina caprodes I M White Perch Morone americana N/A N/A White Sucker Catostomus commersonii O T Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis I T Yellow Perch Perca flavescens N/A N/A Source: Ohio EPA 2018. Notes * Non-native a. Feed Guild: P=Piscivore, F=Filter Feeder, V=Invertivore, I=Specialist Insectivore, O=Omnivore, G=Generalist, H=Herbivore, C=Carnivore, N/A=Not Assigned b. Tolerance Guild: R=Rare Intolerant, S=Special Intolerant, I=Common Intolerant, M=Moderately Intolerant (Headwaters), P=Moderately Tolerant, T=Highly Tolerant, N/A=Not Assigned 2.2.2 Macroinvertebrate Community Health Macroinvertebrate data collected in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed by the Ohio EPA indicate that macroinvertebrate community health is impaired at all but two of the sampling locations (see Table 2). Eight sample sites in the Ottawa River were given a narrative score of fair. In 2007, the Ohio EPA found that 92% to 96% of macroinvertebrates collected between RMs 5.8-3.5 of the Ottawa River were tolerant of toxic conditions and/or organic enrichment (Ohio EPA 2007b). They also found that the number of tolerant species increased farther downstream. The macroinvertebrate communities at all three Sibley Creek sample locations were evaluated as very

18 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS poor. At the most upstream sample location in Sibley Creek (RM 0.8), only four macroinvertebrate taxa were collected and all were pollution tolerant (Ohio EPA 2007a). The lack of sensitive taxa and general diversity in the macroinvertebrate community is most likely a result of poor habitat suitability in the watershed. Poor habitat quality is caused by the absence of riffles and runs in the Ottawa River as well as the extensive embeddedness of stream substrates. 2.2.3 Fish Habitat Fish habitat in the Ottawa River, as measured by QHEI, ranges from good at RMs 11.6, 10.6, and 9.4 to poor at RMs 5.8, 5.5, 5.0, 4.6, and 3.5. The stretch of the Ottawa River in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed is characterized by poor development, low sinuosity, high levels of siltation, and the absence of riffle habitat (see Table 4). The upstream portions of the river have relatively large buffers and canopy cover; however, buffer width and cover significantly decrease in the downstream portions. Some stretches of the river are also recovering from previous channel modification that occurred during road construction (Ohio EPA 2007b). Many tributaries to the river have been rerouted into underground culverts to accommodate urban development. The sample point with the highest QHEI score (RM 9.4) is at the transition point where the river water flowing downstream meets Lake Erie impounded conditions. The Ohio EPA states that this site displayed “a suitable variety of substrate and types of cover” (Ohio EPA 2015). In general, the Ohio EPA concluded that the limiting factor for better stream health in the Ottawa River was low substrate quality (Ohio EPA 2015). Sibley Creek has a designated ALU of LRW due to small drainageway maintenance. The Ohio EPA defines these waters as “highly modified surface water drainageways (usually less than three square miles in drainage area) that do not possess the stream morphology and habitat characteristics necessary to support any other aquatic life habitat use” (Ohio EPA 2017). Sibley Creek is a small stream with very shallow pools and riffles. It is characterized by highly embedded substrates predominated by muck and sand. All three sample locations are currently recovering from past channelization. The furthest upstream sample point (RM 0.8) contains heavily polluted sediments. In 2007, the Ohio EPA recorded that disturbing the sediment released an extensive oil sheen on the stream surface (Ohio EPA 2007a). These indicators of habitat so heavily degraded it is no longer suitable for even the most tolerant species explain why no fish were collected at this location.

Figure 11. A tributary to Ottawa River that flows through a wooded area in Willys Park.

19 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

Table 4. Sibley Creek-Ottawa River QHEI matrix with WWH and MWH attributes Key QHEI WWH attributes MWH attributes component High influence Moderate influence

ateinfluence MWH attributes

depth >40 centimeters

RM Year score QHEI Gradient (foot/mile) Not channelized or Recovered Boulder, Cobble, or Gravel substrates Silt free substrates Good/Excellent development Moderate/High sinuosity Extensive/Moderate cover Fast current/Eddies Low/Normal embeddedness Maximum Low/Normal riffle embeddedness No. of WWH attributes Channelization or No recovery Silt or Muck substrates No sinuosity Sparse/No cover Maximum depth <40 centimeters No. of high influence MWH attributes Recovering channel Heavy/Moderate silt cover Sand substrate (boat) Hardpan substrate origin Fair/Poor development Low sinuosity Only 1 or 2 cover types Intermediate/Poor pools No fast current High/Moderate embeddedness High/Moderate riffle embeddedness No riffle No. of moder Ottawa River (WWH) 11.6 2014 66.5 8.0 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 0 ● ● ● ● 4 11.1 2014 55.0 8.0 ● ● 2 ● ● 2 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 10.9 2014 49.0 8.0 ● ● ● ● 4 ● ● 2 ● ● ● ● ● 5 9.4 2011 72.0 3.91 ● ● ● ● ● 5 0 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 8.6 2007 49.5 0.10 ● ● ● 3 ● 1 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 7 8.0 2007 47.5 0.10 ● ● 2 0 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 7 6.8 2007 47.0 0.10 ● ● ● 3 ● 1 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 6.2 2007 46.5 0.10 ● ● ● 3 ● 1 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 5.8 2007 43.5 0.10 ● ● ● 3 ● ● 2 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 5.5 2007 41.5 0.10 ● ● ● 3 ● ● 2 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 5.3 2007 45.0 0.10 ● ● ● 3 ● 1 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 5.0 2007 38.0 0.10 ● ● ● 3 ● ● 2 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 4.6 2007 36.0 0.10 ● ● 2 ● ● 2 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 3.5 2007 40.0 0.10 ● ● ● 3 ● ● 2 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 Sibley Creek (LRW) 0.8 2007 42.0 16.67 0 ● ● ● 3 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 0.2 2007 41.0 5.36 ● 1 ● ● ● 3 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 0.1 2007 41.0 5.36 ● 1 ● ● ● 3 ● ● ● ● ● ● 6 Source: PCS 2018, Ohio EPA 2015, Ohio EPA 2007a and 2007b Green scores meet the QHEI target. Red scores do not meet the QHEI target. The target QHEI score for wading and boating WWH streams in the HELP ecoregion is 60. 20 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

2.3 SUMMARY OF POLLUTION CAUSES AND ASSOCIATED SOURCES

Ohio EPA determined causes and sources of aquatic life use impairments during the 2007 and 2011 sampling events (see Table 5). Identified sources include runoff from urban land use, combined sewer overflows, landfills, and streambank channelization and modification as a result of urban development. While combined sewer overflows still exist in the watershed and discharge to the Ottawa River, a number of CSO storage tank projects have recently been completed in the watershed (Toledo Waterways Initiative 2018). This plan does not address point source pollution or illicit discharges. See the Biological and Water Quality Study of Tenmile Creek and the Ottawa River report for a list of NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permitted facilities in the Sibley Creek- Ottawa River WAU (Ohio EPA 2015). For information about phosphorous loading in the Lake Erie basin and efforts to address harmful algal blooms see the State of Ohio’s Domestic Action Plan, U.S. Action Plan for Lake Erie, and the Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorous Task Force II Final Report (Ohio Lake Erie Commission 2018, U.S. EPA 2018, Ohio EPA 2013). Table 5. Causes and sources of aquatic life use impairments in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed

Causes Sources Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU . Sedimentation/siltation . Urban runoff/storm sewers . PCB in fish tissue . Combined sewer overflows . Metals . Impervious surface/parking lot runoff . Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) . Landfills . Organic enrichment (sewage) biological indicators . Channelization . Bottom deposits . Streambank modification/destabilization . Abnormal fish DELTs . Direct habitat alterations

Source: Ohio EPA 2016

These data suggest that the major causes of impairment in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU, and the explanation for why a majority of the sample points are in non-attainment, are contaminated sediments from past industrial use, polluted urban runoff, and direct habitat alterations.

Figure 12. Tributary to the Ottawa River at Willys Park. Dumping and urban runoff are key sources of impairment in this part of the watershed.

21 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

2.4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Ohio EPA Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report and PCS’s Data Management and Delisting System online mapping portals were used to compile data since 1984 (Ohio EPA 2016, PCS 2018). For past attainment data, see Table 6. Additional documents and reports used to prepare this NPS-IS plan are cited in the Reference section (Section 5). Table 6. Historical biological indices scores in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed – Ohio EPA

RM (Drainage area Site ID Year IBI/MIwb ICIa Status QHEI mi2) Ottawa River (WWH) 11.6W (154.0) P11K59 2014 32/6.9ns 30ns Full 66.5 2011 27/4.3 22 Non 63 2000 17/5.1 24 Non 54.0 11.1W (155.0) P11S74 2014 24/6.8ns 20 Non 55.0 2011 33/7.1ns 28 Partial 48.5 1992 18/5.1 22 Non 31.0 10.9W (155.0) 301443 2014 26/7.9 20 Non 49.0 2011 30ns/6.2 16 Non 43.0 10.6W (133.0) P11S51 2011 30ns/8.2 30ns Full 67.0 9.4B (155.6) 301444 2011 25/8.4ns 24 Non 72.0 8.6B (160.0) P11S50 2007 33ns/7.4 20 Non 49.5 1992 17/6.5 28 Non 1986 15/4.7 18 Non 32.5 8.0B (162.0) P11S72 2007 27/6.0 22 Non 47.5 2000 20/6.5 14 Non 49.0 7.4B (166.0) P11S49 2000 20/6.6 14 Non 42.5 1986 10/4.4 14 Non 39.0 6.8B (166.0) P11K57 2007 28/5.9 18 Non 47.0 1986 13/3.2 12 Non 45.0 6.2B (167.0) P11S48 2007 28/6.2 20 Non 46.5 1992 21/5.6 12 Non 27.5 6.1B (167.0) 204343 2000 25/6.2 12 Non 37.0 5.8B (167.0) 204338 2007 32ns/6.1 18 Non 43.5 2002 24/6.1 8 Non 41.5 5.7B (167.0) 204333 1996 22/6.2 6 Non 44.5 5.5B (168.0) P11K56 2007 25/6.0 22 Non 41.5 2002 21/6.7 8 Non 34.0 1996 22/6.3 8 Non 41.0 5.4B (169.0) P11S70 2002 23/6.7 6 Non 41.0 1996 18/6.0 6 Non 41.5

22 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

5.3B (169.0) 204328 2007 32ns/6.9 18 Non 45.0 2000 19/5.9 16 Non 35.0 5.0B (172.0) 504220 2007 27/6.6 16 Non 38.0 2002 20/6.1 12 Non 40.0 1992 6/4.1 10 Non 29.0 1986 13/3.3 16 Non 44.0 4.6B (172.0) P11K55 2007 22/6.3 22 Non 36.0 3.5B (173.0) P11A13 2007 21/6.8 14 Non 40.0 2000 20/6.1 14 Non 37.0 1.7B (175.0) P11S68 2000 27/7.1 8 Non 35.5 1986 41/6.8 12 Non 48.0 Sibley Creek (LRW) 0.8H (2.3) P11S90 2007 12/H VP Non 42.0 0.2H (2.6) 204357 2007 24/H VP Non 41.0 0.1H (2.6) 204356 2007 32/H VP Non 41.0 Sources: Ohio EPA 2015 (data from 2011), Ohio EPA 2007a, Ohio EPA 2007b, and PCS 2018 Notes Green scores meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. Red scores do not meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. ns. Nonsignificant departure from biocriterion (≤4 IBI or ICI units; ≤0.5 MIwb units) a. Narrative evaluation used in lieu of ICI (E=Exceptional, VG=Very Good, Good, MG=Marginally Good, Fair, LF=Low Fair, Poor, VP=Very Poor) B. Boating site. H. Headwater site (< 20mi2), MIwb is not applicable. W. Wading site

Figure 13. The Ottawa River near the Ottawa Park golf course, just downstream of sample point P11S51 (RM10.6).

23 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

2.4.1 Contaminated Sediment While this plan does not discuss point source contamination, the results of recent spills and the legacy of historical releases must be considered when addressing NPS impairments. Previous sediment sampling in the late 1980’s and in the 1990’s in Sibley Creek and the lower reaches of the Ottawa River indicated severe contamination caused by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals. Sibley Creek was re- evaluated in 2002, and the Ohio EPA confirmed that acutely toxic conditions were still present. Multiple dredging projects and landfill remediation projects have been completed in Sibley Creek and Ottawa River in the past twenty years. To date, approximately 250,000 yd3 of contaminated sediment has been dredged from the Ottawa River through the Great Lakes Legacy Act. An additional 9,500 yd3 of sediments were dredged from Sibley Creek (USFWS and Ohio EPA 2016). As part of the Natural Resource Restoration Plan & Environmental Assessment for the Ottawa River Assessment Area, USFWS and the Ohio EPA recommend aquatic habitat and riparian and coastal wetland restoration practices and land acquisition to compensate for hazardous substance pollution in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU. BMPs (such as green infrastructure and storm water practices) should be implemented to address NPS pollution after contaminated sediments are remediated. Any in-stream or habitat restoration projects should also consider remediating contaminated sediments as part of their scope to ensure that aquatic life targeted by the restoration efforts are not further impaired by historic pollution. 2.4.2 Lake Erie Seiche Effects Because of its proximity to Lake Erie, the lower reaches of the Ottawa River are impacted by seiche events in Lake Erie. A seiche is caused by strong winds or rapid changes in atmospheric pressure that push water from one end of a body of water (in this case Lake Erie) to the other. The pushed water then returns to the other side of the lake, creating a standing wave that oscillates back and forth. Seiches typically last for a matter of hours or days (NOAA 2017). In Lake Erie, they are caused by winds from the southwest. Seiches result in water moving in and out of the lacustuary zone in rivers and streams, mixing water from the bay and upstream locations. This mixing can result in downstream conditions impacting upstream sites. Seiches can also cause water level fluctuations in streams and large waves on the Lake Erie coastline.

Figure 14. Lake seiches impacts the lacustuary zone of the Ottawa River, including the stretch of the river near North Summit Street.

24 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

3 CONDITIONS & RESTORATION STRATEGIES FOR THE SIBLEY CREEK-OTTAWA RIVER CRITICAL AREAS

3.1 OVERVIEW OF CRITICAL AREAS

Of the eighteen sampling sites located within the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed, two are in full attainment (P11K59 and P11S51). The sixteen other sample sites are in non-attainment due to both fish and macroinvertebrate populations. Three critical areas have been delineated to address the nonpoint source pollution issues that are believed to be causing the impairments (see Table 8 and Figure 15). Critical area boundaries were determined based on land use, potential for successful project implementation, and suitability for the types of projects needed to address impairments.

Table 7. Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU (HUC 04100001 03 08) Critical Areas

Critical Sample Site Critical Area Description Attainment Area # Status 301444 Ottawa River and surrounding park land from RM 10.6 Non 1 P11S50 to I-475/I-75 Non P11S72 Non 2 Ottawa River from I-475/I-75 to RM 6.8 P11K57 Non P11K55 Non 3 Ottawa River from RM 4.6 to the state border (RM 0.6) P11A13 Non

Figure 15. Critical Areas in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU 25 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

3.2 CRITICAL AREA #1: CONDITIONS, GOALS, & OBJECTIVES

3.2.1 Detailed Characterization This critical area contains the Ottawa River from RM 10.5 to 8.5. Of the 390 total acres, the majority of land in this critical area is developed open space (45%) (see Table 9). Critical Area 1 is also a priority conservation area identified by The Nature Conservancy and other watershed planning partners. Ottawa Park, Jermain Park, and Ottawa Park golf course are included in this area. A 5-acre forested-emergent wetland and a small 0.29-acre emergent marsh currently exist in Jermain Park. Despite the presence of invasive species, most notably reed canary grass (Phalaris arundiacea), the wetlands are high quality due to their size, hydrologic connection to the Ottawa River, lack of recent past disturbance, and good interspersion of different vegetative communities (PCS 2009). Open space surrounding these wetlands is owned by the City of Toledo and has the potential for a large-scale wetland restoration project to increase habitat and flood capacity. There is also potential for Walden Pond, located in the Ottawa Park golf course, to be restored and to re-establish the hydrologic connection between the pond and the nearby Ottawa River.

Table 8. Land Cover in Critical Area 1 of Sibley Creek-Ottawa River

Land Cover Area (acres) Area (% of critical area) Open water -- -- Developed, open space 175 45% Developed, low Intensity 53 14% Developed, medium intensity 12 3% Developed, high intensity 1 <1% Barren land -- -- Deciduous forest 79 20% Evergreen forest -- -- Mixed forest -- -- Shrub/scrub -- -- Grassland/herbaceous -- -- Pasture/hay -- -- Cultivated crops -- -- Woody wetlands 2 1% Emergent herbaceous wetlands 67 17% Totala 390 100% Source: Homer et al. 2015 Notes Areas rounded to the nearest acre or percentage point A double dash indicates that the land cover is not present a. Totals do not sum exactly due to rounding

26 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

Figure 17. Critical Area 1 in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed.

Figure 16. Ottawa River floodplain in Jermain Park in Critical Area 1. This area has potential for a wetland restoration project.

27 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

3.2.2 Detailed Biological Condition Fish community samples from 2011 for site 301444 (RM 9.4) indicate that the sample point is not in attainment of fish community metrics due to a low IBI score. 2007 data for site P11S50 (RM 8.6) indicate that this sample point is not in attainment of fish-related metrics due to a low MIwb score (see Table 10). Narrative evaluation of fish communities is variable, ranging from marginally good to poor and the majority of sampled fish were pollution tolerant species. A few moderately intolerant species were collected at site P11S50 including sand shiner, smallmouth bass, and logperch. Three invasive species were captured: round goby, goldfish, and common carp. Less than 1% of sampled fish at P11S50 had DELTs in 2007. QHEI score was above the biological criteria threshold at site 301444 and below the biological criteria threshold at site P11S50. In general, the sample sites in Critical Area 1 are not reaching their target levels. However, they are close to attainment, and a few on-the-ground interventions such as those described in Section 3.2.4 should be able to bring the sites within attainment of their fish community metrics.

Table 9. Fish community and habitat data for Critical Area 1

RM Site ID QHEI Total IBI MIwb Predominant Species Narrative (Drainage Species (percent of catch) Evaluation Area mi2) 9.4B (155.6) 301444 72.0 25 25 8.4ns Gizzard shad (20%), white Marginally sucker (16%), bluntnose Good - Poor minnow (15%) 8.6B (160.0) P11S50 49.5 22 33ns 7.4 Emerald shiner (35%), Fair bluntnose minnow (13%) Source: Ohio EPA 2015 (data from 2011), Ohio EPA 2007b Notes Green scores meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. Red scores do not meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. ns. Nonsignificant departure from biocriterion (≤4 IBI or ICI units; ≤0.5 MIwb units) B. Boating site. Macroinvertebrate community health at sampling site 301444 in 2011 and P11S50 in 2007 was narratively scored as fair (see Table 11). Four EPT taxa were collected at both sites and thirty-two different species were observed at the downstream site, P11S50. The majority of species were pollution tolerant and facultative, although each sample site contained one sensitive species: a moderately intolerant freshwater snail. Neither site is reaching the biological criteria target for macroinvertebrate communities (an ICI score of 34). Both sites were evaluated using river ICI metrics due to one-directional flow which made use of the lacustuary ICI metrics inappropriate.

Table 10. Macroinvertebrate community health data for Critical Area 1

RM # of Taxa Predominant Species Narrative (Drainage Site ID a b (Tolerance Category)c Evaluation Area mi2) Total EPT Sensitive 9.4B (155.6) 301444 18 4 1 Baetid mayflies (F) Fair 8.6B (160.0) P11S50 32 4 1 Midges (T, F), Fair caddisflies (F) Source: Ohio EPA 2015 (data from 2011), Ohio EPA 2007b Notes Green scores meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. Red scores do not meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. a. EPT= Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies) b. Sensitive Taxa: Taxa listed on the Ohio EPA Macroinvertebrate Taxa List as MI (Moderately Intolerant) or I (Intolerant) c. Tolerance Category: VT=Very Tolerant, T=Tolerant, MT=Moderately Tolerant, F=Facultative, MI=Moderately Intolerant, I=Intolerant B. Boating site.

28 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

3.2.3 Detailed Causes and Associated Sources The QHEI score at sample site 301444 was the highest in the HUC. This sample site is located in Jermain Park, a densely wooded area in comparison to the surrounding urban land use. It is also at the intersection of upstream flowing conditions and the Lake Erie impounded stretch of the river. The Ohio EPA states that the habitat at this station had a “variety of substrate and types of cover” (Ohio EPA 2015). The Ohio EPA identified the causes and sources of biological impairment at this sample point to be sedimentation and siltation from urban runoff and storm sewers (Ohio EPA 2015). The area upstream of this sample point in the critical area also contains the Ottawa Park golf course, a potential source of nutrient and sediment-rich runoff. Stream sediments sampled at RM 9.4 indicate total PAH levels above the Threshold Effect Concentration, and dissolved oxygen samples exceeded average criterion (Ohio EPA 2015). Low dissolved oxygen and contaminated sediments both have the potential to negatively impact fish and macroinvertebrate populations. Sample point P11S50 is located to the east of Jermain Park at the intersection of the Ottawa River and Auburn Avenue. The river channel at this location was previously modified during construction of the adjacent freeway. Sedimentation leading to poor instream habitat is the driving force of impairment in this stretch of the Ottawa River. Riparian cover is generally dense throughout this critical area, with the exception of the eastern stretch downstream of RM 8.6 where the riparian buffer has mostly been removed to accommodate I-475/I-75. Sediments sampled in 2007 by the Ohio EPA reflected total PAHS above the Total Effect Concentration and total PCBs above the Probable Effect Concentration (Ohio EPA 2007b). No riffles or runs occur in the Ottawa River in Critical Area 1. However, glide habitat was identified upstream of RM 8.6. Urban runoff from the surrounding residential land use is a significant contributor to sedimentation in the river. Green infrastructure practices aimed at removing sediments would be beneficial in the upland areas surrounding Critical Area 1. Two combined sewer overflows discharge into the Ottawa River in Critical Area 1. They are both located along Jermain Park. These are potential sources of untreated storm water and sewage during large rain events. The main causes and sources in Critical Area 1 are:

o Sedimentation/siltation as a result of urban runoff; o Lowered water quality as a result of urban runoff and historical contamination; and, o Direct habitat alterations as a result of freeway construction, and lack of instream habitat structures.

Figure 18. The Ottawa Park golf course (to the right) along the Ottawa River. Golf courses are a common source of excess nutrients in streams.

29 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

3.2.4 Goals and Objectives for Critical Area #1 As explained above, Critical Area 1 is primarily impaired by direct habitat alterations and lack of instream habitat, lowered water quality, and sedimentation and siltation. Habitat restoration, sediment capture, and storm water management will be needed to improve aquatic community health. Although not listed as a cause of impairment in the watershed, a reduction in nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) loading is an important step in improving water quality in Lake Erie. Green infrastructure practices that capture sediment or bind nutrients, such as bioretention practices, should be implemented in the watershed to help capture nutrients before they reach the lake. For information about phosphorous loading in the Lake Erie basin and efforts to address harmful algal blooms see the State of Ohio’s Domestic Action Plan, U.S. Action Plan for Lake Erie, and the Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorous Task Force II Final Report (Ohio Lake Erie Commission 2018, U.S. EPA 2018, Ohio EPA 2013).

Priority Projects: • Riparian buffer installation • Stormwater BMP installation • Wetland and vernal pool restoration • In-stream habitat restoration

3.2.4.1 Goals The overall nonpoint source restoration goals of any NPS-IS plan are to improve IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI scores such that a waterbody is brought into full attainment of the designated ALU. Non-attainment in this critical area is due to fair to poor IBI, MIwb, and ICI scores. Additionally, the QHEI score at RM 8.6 is below the target. Therefore, the goals for Critical Area 1 of the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed are to improve IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI scores at sites 301444 (RM 9.4) and P11S50 (RM 8.6) so that the sites will improve from non-attainment to full attainment of the designated ALU. These goals are specifically to:

Goal 1. Maintain/achieve an IBI score at or above 34 at sampling site 301444 (RM 9.4) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 25

Goal 2. Maintain/achieve an IBI score at or above 34 at sampling site P11S50 (RM 8.6) on the Ottawa River  ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 337

Goal 3. Maintain/achieve a MIwb score at or above 8.6 at sampling site 301444 (RM 9.4) on the Ottawa River  ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 8.45

Goal 4. Maintain/achieve an MIwb score at or above 8.6 at sampling site P11S50 (RM 8.6) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 7.4 Goal 5. Maintain/achieve an ICI score of 34 at sampling site 301444 (RM 9.4) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 24 Goal 6. Maintain/achieve an ICI score of 34 at sampling site P11S50 (RM 8.6) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 20

7 Score has a nonsignificant departure from biocriterion (≤4 IBI or ICI units; ≤0.5 MIwb units)

30 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

Goal 7. Maintain/achieve a QHEI score of 60 at sampling site 301444 (RM 9.4) on the Ottawa River  ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 72

Goal 8. Maintain/achieve an QHEI score of 60 at sampling site P11S50 (RM 8.6) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 49.5

3.2.4.2 Objectives To achieve the overall nonpoint source restoration goal of full attainment, the following objectives need to be achieved within Critical Area 1:

Objective 1. Create or restore 30 acres of wetland habitat

o Increase the Use of Urban Storm Water Wetland Treatment Systems (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 01.02.01) o Restore Vernal Pools and Other Riparian Wetlands (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.03.03)

Objective 2. Create, enhance, or restore 15 acres of riparian buffer native plantings and invasive species management

o Protect and Restore Effective Riparian Buffers (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 1.02.02) o Restore and Protect Riparian Habitat (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.03.01) o Increase Native Shrub and Tree Plantings in Riparian Areas (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.03.04)

Objective 3. Create or restore 2,500 linear feet of instream habitat through the use of habitat structures such as woody debris, LUNKERS, riffles, and fish baskets

o Restore Impaired Streams Altered Aquatic Habitats (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.01.01)

As these objectives are implemented, water quality monitoring (both project-related and regularly scheduled monitoring) will be completed to determine progress toward meeting the identified goals (i.e., water quality standards). These objectives will be reevaluated and modified, as necessary. When reevaluating, see Ohio’s Nonpoint Source Management Plan Update (Ohio EPA 2014), which has a complete listing of all eligible NPS management strategies.

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3.3 CRITICAL AREA #2: CONDITIONS, GOALS, & OBJECTIVES

3.3.1 Detailed Characterization Critical Area 2 contains the Ottawa River between RM 6.8 and RM 8.5, and a tributary that runs through Woodlawn Cemetery and Willys Park. The area covers 448 total acres in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed, and land use is predominantly developed open space (34%) and developed high intensity (28%) (See Table 12). Critical Area 2 also contains the Overland industrial site, a brownfield redevelopment site. Two low-head dams constrict flow and fish passage in Woodlawn Cemetery where the stream that slows through the property has been dammed to create two heavily sedimented ponds. The remainder of the stream to the west of the cemetery has been culverted underground. The stretch of the Ottawa River contained within Critical Area 2 has moderate tree cover and a history of sediment contamination – particularly by PCBs and PAHs.

Table 11. Land Cover in Critical Area 2 of Sibley Creek-Ottawa River

Land Cover Area (acres) Area (% of critical area) Open water -- -- Developed, open space 151 34% Developed, low Intensity 88 20% Developed, medium intensity 81 18% Developed, high intensity 125 28% Barren land -- -- Deciduous forest -- -- Evergreen forest -- -- Mixed forest -- -- Shrub/scrub -- -- Grassland/herbaceous -- -- Pasture/hay -- -- Cultivated crops -- -- Woody wetlands -- -- Emergent herbaceous wetlands 3 1% Totala 448 100% Source: Homer et al. 2015 Notes Areas rounded to the nearest acre or percentage point A double dash indicates that the land cover is not present a. Totals do not sum exactly due to rounding

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Figure 19. Critical Area 2 in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed.

3.3.2 Detailed Biological Condition Fish community samples from 2007 indicate that the two sample points in Critical Area 2 are not in attainment of fish community health indices (IBI and MIwb) (see Table 13). Narrative evaluation of fish communities is considered poor and the majority of sampled fish ranged from moderately intolerant to highly tolerant of pollution. One golden redhorse, a moderately intolerant species, was collected at RM 8.0 in 2007. Three invasive species were captured: round goby, goldfish, and common carp which totaled 14% of the total catch in Critical Area 2. 4% of sampled fish had DELTs. QHEI scores were below the biological criteria threshold.

Table 12. Fish community and habitat data for Critical Area 2

RM Site ID QHEI Total IBI MIwb Predominant Species Narrative (Drainage Species (percent of catch) Evaluation Area mi2) 8.0B (162.0) P11S72 47.5 18 27 6.0 Emerald shiner (31%), Poor common carp* (14%), pumpkinseed sunfish (14%) 6.8B (166.0) P11K57 47.0 21 28 5.9 Emerald shiner (33%), Poor pumpkinseed sunfish (27%), common carp* (13%) Source: Ohio EPA 2007b, Ohio EPA 2018. Notes Green scores meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. Red scores do not meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. * Non-native B. Boating site.

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Macroinvertebrate sampling indicates that Critical Area 2 is not in attainment of ICI biological criteria (see Table 14). The majority of species were tolerant of pollution and no EPT taxa were collected; however, two sensitive taxa were collected at each site. The Ohio EPA states that the macroinvertebrate community was “indicative of degraded river conditions” caused by poor instream habitat and contaminated sediment (Ohio EPA 2007b). Site P11K57 was sampled again in 2015 and its ICI score decreased from 18 in 2007 to 12 in 2015 when it was dominated by a pollution tolerant midge species (Ohio EPA 2018).

Table 13. Macroinvertebrate community health data for Critical Area 2

RM # of Taxa Predominant Species Narrative (Drainage Site ID a b (Tolerance Category)c Evaluation Area mi2) Total EPT Sensitive 8.0B (162.0) P11S72 20 0 2 Aquatic and terrestrial Poor worms (T), midges (MT, T, F) 6.8B (166.0) P11K57 20 0 2 Aquatic and terrestrial Poor worms (T), midges (MT, T, F), Hydra (F) Source: Ohio EPA 2007b Notes Green scores meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. Red scores do not meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. a. EPT= Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies) b. Sensitive Taxa: Taxa listed on the Ohio EPA Macroinvertebrate Taxa List as MI (Moderately Intolerant) or I (Intolerant) c. Tolerance Category: VT=Very Tolerant, T=Tolerant, MT=Moderately Tolerant, F=Facultative, MI=Moderately Intolerant, I=Intolerant B. Boating Site – sample site located in an artificial pond at Detwiler Park Golf Course

Figure 20. One of the two low-head dams (right) at Woodlawn Cemetery that are restricting flow in the tributary to the Ottawa River that flows through the property.

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3.3.3 Detailed Causes and Associated Sources Critical Area 2 contains Woodlawn Cemetery, which is a level II accredited arboretum with around one hundred different species of trees throughout its 160 acres. However, the riparian buffer along the waterway is variable, with open areas of lawn directly adjacent to the pond banks. The tributary that runs through the cemetery daylights at the southwestern edge of the property, flows through Willys Park, and then is culverted on the east side of Willys Park to accommodate I-75. There are two low-head dams at Woodlawn Cemetery which have converted the stream into two large ponds. The dam at the far east of the property is impassible to fish. All water inputs into the ponds are a result of storm water runoff from surrounding urban land use and are generally very flashy. As such, sedimentation is an issue and has resulted in poor substrate quality. The storm water runoff is untreated and does not flow through any BMPs before entering the cemetery. The section of the tributary that flows through Willys Park has a wide forested riparian buffer, but the stream only flows for 850 feet before being culverted under Pioneer Lane and converted into a grassed roadside ditch. The Overland industrial site, a brownfield redevelopment site, is also located in Critical Area 2 on the opposite side of the Ottawa River. This area was once a Jeep manufacturing plant, and has been characterized by high levels of environmental contaminants. There has been a large investment in the remediation of this property and the Ottawa River adjacent to and downstream from the site. The Ottawa River section in Critical Area 2 was one of the segments dredged through the Great Lakes Legacy Act to remediate sediment contaminated with PAHs, PCBs, and heavy metals (USFWS and Ohio EPA 2016). The Ottawa River from RM 8.0 to RM 6.8 generally has a thin riparian buffer on both banks. It is characterized by a low stream gradient, slow flow, low sinuosity, and the absence of riffles. Stream embeddedness and sedimentation is high, limiting the necessary habitat substrates to support high quality fish and benthos communities. In-stream aquatic habitat in the form of riffles, woody debris, and large rocks is largely absent. Additionally, four combined sewer overflows are present downstream of Willys Park. These are potential sources of untreated storm water and sewage into the Ottawa River. The main causes and sources in Critical Area 2 are:

o Sedimentation/siltation as a result of urban runoff and lack of riparian buffers and wetlands; o Lowered water quality as a result of urban runoff and historical contamination; and, o Direct habitat alterations as a result of low-head dam installation, stream culverting, and riparian buffer removal. 3.3.4 Goals and Objectives for Critical Area #2 As explained above, Critical Area 2 is primarily impaired by direct habitat alterations through morphology modifications and riparian buffer removal, lowered water quality, and sedimentation and siltation. Habitat restoration, sediment capture, and storm water management will be needed to improve aquatic community health. Although not listed as a cause of impairment in the watershed, a reduction in nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) loading is an important step in improving water quality in Lake Erie. Green infrastructure practices that capture sediment or bind nutrients, such as bioretention practices, should be implemented in the watershed to help capture nutrients before they reach the lake. For information about phosphorous loading in the Lake Erie basin and efforts to address harmful algal blooms see the State of Ohio’s Domestic Action Plan, U.S. Action Plan for Lake Erie, and the Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorous Task Force II Final Report (Ohio Lake Erie Commission 2018, U.S. EPA 2018, Ohio EPA 2013).

Priority Projects: • Riparian buffer installation • Low-head dam removal and sinuous stream • Wetland restoration construction • In-stream habitat restoration • Stream daylighting • Stormwater BMP installation

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3.3.4.1 Goals The overall nonpoint source restoration goals of any NPS-IS plan are to improve IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI scores such that a waterbody is brought into full attainment of the designated ALU. Non-attainment in this critical area is due to poor IBI, MIwb, and ICI scores. Additionally, QHEI scores are below the target values. Therefore, the goals for Critical Area 2 of the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed are to improve IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI scores at the downstream sample point (P11K57)8 so that the site will improve from non-attainment to full attainment of the designated ALU. These goals are specifically to:

Goal 1. Maintain/achieve an IBI score at or above 34 at sampling site P11K57 (RM 6.8) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 28 Goal 2. Maintain/achieve a MIwb score of 8.6 at sampling site P11K57 (RM 6.8) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 5.9 Goal 3. Maintain/achieve an ICI score of 34 at sampling site P11K57 (RM 6.8) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 18 Goal 4. Maintain/achieve a QHEI score of 60 at sampling site P11K57 (RM 6.8) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 47.0

3.3.4.2 Objectives To achieve the overall nonpoint source restoration goal of full attainment, the following objectives need to be achieved within Critical Area 2:

Objective 1. Remove two low-head dams creating barriers to fish passage and alter natural stream flow

o Restore and Protect Natural Flow Conditions (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.04.01)

Objective 2. Create or restore 20 acres of wetland habitat

o Increase the Use of Urban Storm Water Wetland Treatment Systems (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 01.02.01) o Restore Vernal Pools and Other Riparian Wetlands (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.03.03)

Objective 3. Create or restore 20 acres of riparian buffer with native plantings and invasive species management

o Protect and Restore Effective Riparian Buffers (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 1.02.02) o Restore and Protect Riparian Habitat (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.03.01) o Increase Native Shrub and Tree Plantings in Riparian Areas (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.03.04) Objective 4. Improve 2,000 linear feet of stream morphology with natural channel design principles

o Restore and Protect Natural Flow Conditions (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.04.01)

8 The downstream sample point is being used to evaluate improvements due to its hydrologic position. Improvements upstream should be visible in downstream sampling.

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o Restore Impaired Streams Altered Aquatic Habitats (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.01.01)

Objective 5. Create or restore 2,000 linear feet of instream habitat through the use of habitat structures such as woody debris, LUNKERS, riffles, and fish baskets

o Restore Impaired Streams Altered Aquatic Habitats (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.01.01)

As these objectives are implemented, water quality monitoring (both project-related and regularly scheduled monitoring) will be completed to determine progress toward meeting the identified goals (i.e., water quality standards). These objectives will be reevaluated and modified, as necessary. When reevaluating, see Ohio’s Nonpoint Source Management Plan Update (Ohio EPA 2014), which has a complete listing of all eligible NPS management strategies.

Figure 21. One of the dammed ponds at Woodlawn Cemetery.

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3.4 CRITICAL AREA #3: CONDITIONS, GOALS, & OBJECTIVES

3.4.1 Detailed Characterization This critical area contains the stretch of the Ottawa River from RM 4.6 to the state border (RM 0.6). This critical area is comprised of the river itself and its shoreline due to the shortage of public land in this area for restoration projects. Of the 787 total acres, the predominant land use in this critical area is open water due to the width of the Ottawa River (34%), followed by low intensity developed (28%) (see Table 15). The Ottawa River widens in Critical Area 3 compared to the rest of the river and is highly influenced by lake seiches (see Section 2.4.2).

Table 14. Land Cover in Critical Area 3 of Sibley Creek-Ottawa River

Land Cover Area (acres) Area (% of critical area) Open water 265 34% Developed, open space 38 5% Developed, low Intensity 217 28% Developed, medium intensity 125 16% Developed, high intensity 33 4% Barren land 20 3% Deciduous forest 17 2% Evergreen forest -- -- Mixed forest -- -- Shrub/scrub -- -- Grassland/herbaceous -- -- Pasture/hay 42 5% Cultivated crops -- -- Woody wetlands -- -- Emergent herbaceous wetlands 30 4% Totala 787 100% Source: Homer et al. 2015 Notes Areas rounded to the nearest acre or percentage point A double dash indicates that the land cover is not present a. Totals do not sum exactly due to rounding

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Figure 22. Critical Area 3 in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed. 3.4.2 Detailed Biological Condition Based on the data gathered at sites P11K55 and P11A13 in 2007, fish communities are not in attainment of biological criteria (IBI and MIwb scores) (see Table 16). Both IBI and MIwb scores are lower than biological criteria for WWH boating sites. Both sites were dominated by pollution tolerant fish. A single specimen of the following three moderately intolerant species was collected between the two sample sites in 2007: golden redhorse, brook silverside, and logperch (Ohio EPA 2007b). These moderately intolerant species made up less than one percent of the total catch. Two invasive species were observed in Critical Area 3: goldfish and common carp, which together constituted 34% of the total catch by number of individuals at RM 4.6 and 44% of the catch at RM 3.5. About 2% of sampled fish had DELTs.

Table 15. Fish community and habitat data for Critical Area 3

RM Site ID QHEI Total IBI MIwb Predominant Species Narrative (Drainage Species (percent of catch) Evaluation Area mi2) 4.6B (172.0) P11K55 36.0 20 22 6.3 Pumpkinseed sunfish (30%), Poor goldfish* (18%), common carp* (16%) 3.5B (173.0) P11A13 40.0 21 14 6.8 Goldfish* (33%), pumpkinseed Fair - Poor sunfish (22%), bluegill sunfish (16%) Source: Ohio EPA 2007b Notes Green scores meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. Red scores do not meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. * Non-native B. Boating site.

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Macroinvertebrate communities are not in attainment of their biological criteria for WWH (see Table 17). While the number of different taxa present was relatively high, both sample sites in 2007 were entirely dominated by pollution tolerant species; no sensitive taxa were found at either location. The Ohio EPA states that from RM 5.8 to 3.5, the percentage of macroinvertebrates tolerant of toxic conditions ranged from 92% to 96% (Ohio EPA 2007b). Poor ICI scores reflect the prevalence of contaminated sediments, combined sewer overflows, and poor instream habitat. Macroinvertebrate populations were re-sampled in 2015 at both sites. ICI scores decreased from 22 to 10 at RM 4.6 and from 14 to 8 at RM 3.5. (PCS 2018). The number of taxa collected at both sites decreased substantially. In 2015, only nine different taxa were collected at RM 4.6.

Table 16. Macroinvertebrate community health data for Critical Area 3

RM # of Taxa Predominant Species Narrative (Drainage Site ID a b (Tolerance Category)c Evaluation Area mi2) Total EPT Sensitive 4.6B (172.0) P11K55 29 0 0 Aquatic and terrestrial Poor worms (T), midges (MT) 3.5B (173.0) P11A13 24 0 0 Midges (MT), aquatic Poor and terrestrial worms (T) Source: Ohio EPA 2007b Notes Green scores meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. Red scores do not meet the IBI or ICI biological criteria or the QHEI target. a. EPT= Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies) b. Sensitive Taxa: Taxa listed on the Ohio EPA Macroinvertebrate Taxa List as MI (Moderately Intolerant) or I (Intolerant) c. Tolerance Category: VT=Very Tolerant, T=Tolerant, MT=Moderately Tolerant, F=Facultative, MI=Moderately Intolerant, I=Intolerant B. Boating site.

Figure 23. The Ottawa River at Schwartz Road Bridge. The Hoffman Road landfill is visible in the background, and a large area of invasive Phragmites australis is visible at left.

40 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

3.4.3 Detailed Causes and Associated Sources The stretch of the Ottawa River contained within Critical Area 3 is characterized by heavy sedimentation, high embeddedness, low sinuosity, and the absence of riffles. Riparian cover is low in the upstream portion of the critical area, and absent downstream of I-75 due to residential land use directly adjacent to the river. Marinas and private boat docks occupy much of the shoreline in this area. Residential lots have replaced areas that were historically riverine wetlands which provided habitat and filtered water flowing into the Ottawa River. Very few riparian areas remain to perform water quality functions or provide shaded habitat for fish and macroinvertebrates. Rip-rap and other bank hardening stabilization techniques are also common along the shoreline. The river width is around 1,000 feet on average with very few in-stream habitat structures. All of these factors feed into low habitat quality (represented by low QHEI scores) which is limiting fish and macroinvertebrate community health. Contaminated sediments are another source of impairment in Critical Area 3. Sediment samples from 2007 indicate total PCB levels above Probable Effect Concentration for both sample points. High heavy metal concentrations were also found at both P11K55 and P11A13, and PAHs were elevated at the upstream site (Ohio EPA 2007b). Storm water inputs are also a source of sediment and pollutants in the Ottawa River. There is not widespread green infrastructure or riparian buffers to intercept urban runoff. The main causes and sources in Critical Area 3 are:

o Sedimentation/siltation as a result of urban runoff and lack of riparian buffers and wetlands; o Lowered water quality as a result of urban runoff and historical contamination; and, o Direct habitat alterations as a result of residential land use. 3.4.4 Goals and Objectives for Critical Area #3 As explained above, Critical Area 3 is primarily impaired by direct habitat alterations and riparian buffer removal, sedimentation and siltation, and contaminated sediments and storm water inputs. Habitat restoration and storm water management will be needed to improve aquatic community health. The Ottawa River in Critical Area 3 is heavily influenced by Lake Erie seiche events. When water vacates the lacustuary zone of the Ottawa River during a seiche, large mudflats are exposed on both banks. This makes the installation of in-stream habitat structures such as gravel spawning shelves along the banks impracticable, as these structures would then be stranded on dry mudflats during a seiche and could potentially be displaced when water rushes back into the river. Larger in-stream restoration projects such as the installation of habitat islands or sand and gravel bars as opposed to along-stream structures would create more refugia and microhabitats for fish and macroinvertebrates. Although not listed as a cause of impairment in the watershed, a reduction in nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) loading is an important step in improving water quality in Lake Erie. Green infrastructure practices that capture sediment or bind nutrients, such as bioretention practices, should be implemented in the watershed to help capture nutrients before they reach the lake. For information about phosphorous loading in the Lake Erie basin and efforts to address harmful algal blooms see the State of Ohio’s Domestic Action Plan, U.S. Action Plan for Lake Erie, and the Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorous Task Force II Final Report (Ohio Lake Erie Commission 2018, U.S. EPA 2018, Ohio EPA 2013).

Priority Projects: • Riparian buffer installation • Stormwater BMP installation • Wetland restoration • In-stream habitat restoration

41 Sibley Creek-Ottawa River NPS-IS

3.4.4.1 Goals The overall nonpoint source restoration goals of any NPS-IS plan are to improve IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI scores such that a waterbody is brought into full attainment of the designated ALU. Non-attainment in this critical area is due to fair to poor IBI, MIwb, and ICI scores. Additionally, QHEI scores are below the target values. Therefore, the goals for Critical Area 3 of the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed are to improve IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI scores at site P11A13 (RM 3.5)9 so that the site will improve from non-attainment to full attainment of the designated ALU. These goals are specifically to:

Goal 1. Maintain/achieve an IBI score at or above 34 at sampling site P11A13 (RM 3.5) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 21 Goal 2. Maintain/achieve a MIwb score of 8.6 at sampling site P11A13 (RM 3.5) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 6.8 Goal 3. Maintain/achieve an ICI score of 34 at sampling site P11A13 (RM 3.5) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 14 Goal 4. Maintain/achieve a QHEI score of 60 at sampling site P11A13 (RM 3.5) on the Ottawa River . NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a score of 40

3.4.4.2 Objectives To achieve the overall nonpoint source restoration goal of full attainment, the following objectives need to be achieved within Critical Area 3: Objective 1. Create 5,000 linear feet of instream habitat through the creation of islands or gravel bars Objective 2. Create or restore 20 acres of wetland habitat

o Increase the Use of Urban Storm Water Wetland Treatment Systems (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 01.02.01) o Restore Vernal Pools and Other Riparian Wetlands (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.03.03)

Objective 3. Create or restore 20 acres of riparian buffer with native plantings and invasive species management

o Protect and Restore Effective Riparian Buffers (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 1.02.02) o Restore and Protect Riparian Habitat (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.03.01) o Increase Native Shrub and Tree Plantings in Riparian Areas (Ohio EPA 2014, Goal 2.03.04) As these objectives are implemented, water quality monitoring (both project-related and regularly scheduled monitoring) will be completed to determine progress toward meeting the identified goals (i.e., water quality standards). These objectives will be reevaluated and modified, as necessary. When reevaluating, see Ohio’s Nonpoint Source Management Plan Update (Ohio EPA 2014), which has a complete listing of all eligible NPS management strategies.

9 The downstream sample point is being used to evaluate improvements due to its hydrologic position. Improvements upstream should be visible in downstream sampling.

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4 PROJECTS AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

Projects and evaluations believed to be necessary to address the causes and sources of impairments to the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed are presented by critical area in this section. As Ohio assesses attainment using numeric biological criteria, periodic re-evaluation of biological conditions will be necessary to determine if the implemented projects restore the critical areas to the predicted levels. Time is an important factor to consider when measuring project success and overall status. Biological systems in some cases can show response fairly quickly (e.g., one season); other systems may take longer (e.g., several seasons, years) to show recovery. There may also be reasons other than nonpoint source pollution for the impairment. Those issues will need to be addressed under different initiatives, authorities, or programs which may or may not be accomplished by the same implementers addressing the nonpoint source pollution issues. The Sibley Creek-Ottawa River WAU was delineated into three critical areas to address causes and sources of ALU impairment. Each critical area is assigned a project overview table in the following subsections (4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.3.1). Projects identified in the overview tables for each critical area were prioritized based on the following method:

Highest Priority Projects that directly address one or more of the critical area’s listed objectives Landowner support Provides additional benefits to the community (e.g., reduces residential flooding, provides recreational benefit)

Medium Priority Projects that directly address one or more of the critical area’s listed objectives Lowest Priority Projects that indirectly address one or more of the critical area’s listed objectives If additional NPS impairments are identified for an existing critical area, the critical area’s overview table will be updated. If a new impairment is identified that is not within an existing critical area, then a new critical area will be delineated and a new summary table will be created. Future versions of this NPS-IS plan will update the project overview sheets with additional projects as they are developed to meet the stated objectives in each critical area. Project Summary Sheets (PSS) are in Sections 4.1.2, 4.2.2, and 4.3.2. These PSS provide the essential nine elements for short-term and/or next step projects that are in development and/or in need of funding. As projects are implemented and new projects developed these sheets will be updated. Any new PPS created will be submitted to the State of Ohio for funding eligibility verification (i.e., all nine elements are included). MSG calculated load reductions for critical area projects. Total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorous (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) load reductions were estimated based on existing loads for the Maumee River and nutrient reduction rates from published literature sources (Filoso & Palmer 2011, Jordan et al. 2003; Noe & Hupp 2009; Vymazal 2007).

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4.1 CRITICAL AREA #1: OVERVIEW TABLE AND PROJECT SHEETS

The information included in Table 18 is a condensed overview of all identified projects needed for nonpoint source restoration of Critical Area 1. PSS are included for short term projects or any project that is considering seeking funding in the near future. Only those projects with complete PSS will be considered for state and federal nonpoint source program funding. 4.1.1 Critical Area #1: Project Implementation Strategy Overview Table Critical Area 1 is based upon non-attainment at sampling sites 301444 (RM 9.4) and P11S50 (RM 8.6). The overview table (see Table 18) provides a quick summary of what needs to be completed and where and what problems (cause/source) will be addressed. The table includes projects at all levels of development (e.g., concept, in progress), and the table is intended to show a prioritized path toward restoration of Critical Area 1 in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed.

Figure 24. Site of proposed wetland restoration at Ottawa Park (Project 1). Source: Google Maps 2018

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Table 17. Overview table for Critical Area 1 Goal Objective Project Project title Lead Timeframe Estimated Potential/actual organization (criteria f) cost funding sources (criteria d) (criteria d) (criteria d) Urban sediment and nutrient reduction strategies None identified Altered stream and habitat restoration strategies 1,5 1 1 Ottawa Park Wetland Restoration City of Toledo Short $150,000 Ohio EPA §319, GLRI 4,6,8 1,2 2 Jermain Park Wetland Restoration City of Toledo Short $360,000 Ohio EPA §319, GLRI

Agricultural nonpoint source reduction strategies Not applicable High quality waters protection strategies None identified Other NPS causes and associated sources of impairment None identified

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4.1.2 Critical Area #1: Project Summary Sheets The PSS provided below were developed based on the actions or activities needed to restore sampling sites 301444 (RM 9.4) and P11S50 (RM 8.6) to attainment of the ALU designation. These projects are considered next step or priority/short term projects. Medium and long-term projects are not presented in PSS since they are not yet ready for implementation.

Critical Area 1: Project 1 Nine Element Information Needed Explanation Criteria n/a Title Ottawa Park Wetland Restoration Project Lead Organization and Criterion d City of Toledo Partners Sibley Creek-Ottawa River (HUC 04100001 03 08) & Critical Criterion c HUC-12 & Critical Area Area 1 Criterion c Project Location Area south of the 18th hole fairway in Ottawa Park Golf Course Which strategy is being n/a Altered stream and habitat restoration strategies addressed by this project? Criterion f Time Frame Short Short Description Two-acre wetland restoration in an area that becomes Criterion g occasionally flooded after rain events A two-acre depressional, palustrine emergent wetland will be created in a flat area south of the 18th hole to increase habitat and help alleviate flooding on the golf course. The wetland will Criterion g Project Narrative also filter runoff from a portion of the golf course before it reaches the Ottawa River, helping to reduce nutrient loading in the river. A diverse mix of native shrubs and forbs will be planted in the wetland to increase species richness. Criterion d Estimated Total Cost $150,000 Criterion d Possible Funding Source Ohio EPA §319, GLRI Cause: Sedimentation/siltation Criterion a Identified Causes and Sources Source: Urban runoff/storm sewers Part 1: How much improvement At the sample point downstream of the project area, IBI scores is needed to remove the NPS need to increase from 25 to 34 to meet water quality impairment associated with this standards. An improvement to the ICI scores from 24 to 34 is Critical Area? necessary to meet water quality standards. Part 2: How much of the Objective 1: Create or restore 2 of 30 acres of wetland habitat Criteria b & needed improvement for the h whole Critical Area is estimated This project is expected to increase IBI and ICI scores by 1 or to be accomplished by this 2 points each (1% of critical area goals) by increasing water project? quality of runoff flowing into the Ottawa River. Project is expected to create a reduction of 620 kg of Part 3: Load reduced? TSS/year, 1.2 kg TP/year, and 20 kg TN/year. How will the effectiveness of IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI will be assessed before and after Criterion i this project in addressing the project implementation. If this project is funded through §319, NPS impairment be measured? Ohio EPA DSW EAU will perform the monitoring. The Ottawa Park Golf Course is a popular destination for golfers, and the project area will be visible from the 18th hole. Criterion e Information and Education Interpretive signage will be placed near the restoration to inform golfers of the purpose of the project and its benefits to local waterways.

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Critical Area 1: Project 2 Nine Element Information Needed Explanation Criteria n/a Title Jermain Park Wetland Restoration Project Lead Organization and Criterion d City of Toledo Partners Sibley Creek-Ottawa River (HUC 04100001 03 08) & Critical Criterion c HUC-12 & Critical Area Area 1 Criterion c Project Location Jermain Park between Monroe Street and Auburn Avenue Which strategy is being n/a Altered stream and habitat restoration strategies addressed by this project? Criterion f Time Frame Short Short Description Creation of 16.3 acres of palustrine wetland and restoration of Criterion g 0.52 acre of riparian buffer along the Ottawa River Four different wetland communities can be restored in the project area: palustrine forested wetland, palustrine emergent wetland, deep water emergent wetland, and palustrine floating leaved wetland totaling 16.3 acres. The wetland restoration Criterion g Project Narrative would increase flood storage capacity, habitat value, and nutrient retention. 0.52 acre of riparian buffer will also be restored along the Ottawa River to the west of Auburn Avenue, increasing cover in the stream. A nature trail or boardwalk will also be constructed to allow visitors to view the wetlands. Criterion d Estimated Total Cost $360,000 Criterion d Possible Funding Source Ohio EPA §319, GLRI Causes: Sedimentation/siltation, direct habitat alterations Criterion a Identified Causes and Sources Sources: Urban runoff/storm sewers, streambank modification At the sample point downstream of the project area, MIwb Part 1: How much improvement scores need to increase from 7.4 to 8.6 to meet water quality is needed to remove the NPS standards. An improvement to the ICI scores from 20 to 34 is impairment associated with this necessary to meet water quality standards. QHEI needs to Critical Area? increase from 49.5 to 60 to meet water quality standards. Objective 1: Create or restore 16 of 30 acres of wetland habitat Criteria b & Part 2: How much of the Objective 2: Create, enhance, or restore 2 of 15 acres of h needed improvement for the riparian buffer native plantings and invasive whole Critical Area is estimated species management to be accomplished by this project? This project is expected to increase the MIwb score by 0.2 or 0.3 points, the ICI score by about 3 points, and the QHEI score by 4 to 6 points (22% of critical area goals). Project is expected to create a reduction of 7,330 kg of Part 3: Load reduced? TSS/year, 9.9 kg TP/year, and 79 kg TN/year. How will the effectiveness of IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI will be assessed before and after Criterion i this project in addressing the project implementation. If this project is funded through §319, NPS impairment be measured? Ohio EPA DSW EAU will perform the monitoring. An interpretive nature trail with overlooks will be constructed to allow visitors to view the wetland restoration. Interpretive Criterion e Information and Education signage will also be installed to educate visitors about wetland functions and ecological restoration.

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4.2 CRITICAL AREA #2: OVERVIEW TABLE AND PROJECT SHEETS

The information included in Table 19 is a condensed overview of all identified projects needed for nonpoint source restoration of critical area 2. PSS are included for short term projects or any project that is considering seeking funding in the near future. Only those projects with complete PSS will be considered for state and federal nonpoint source program funding. 4.2.1 Critical Area #2: Project Implementation Strategy Overview Table Critical Area 2 is based upon non-attainment at sampling site P11K57 (RM 6.8). The overview table (see Table 19) provides a quick summary of what needs to be completed and where and what problems (cause/source) will be addressed. The table includes projects at all levels of development (e.g., concept, in progress), and the table is intended to show a prioritized path toward restoration of Critical Area 2 in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed.

Figure 25. One of the low-head dams proposed for removal in Woodlawn Cemetery (Project 1).

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Table 18. Overview table for Critical Area 2 Goal Objective Project Project title Lead Timeframe Estimated cost Potential/actual organization (criteria f) (criteria d) funding sources (criteria d) (criteria d) Urban sediment and nutrient reduction strategies 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1 Historic Woodlawn Cemetery Waterbody Woodlawn Short $3,800,000 Urban Waters, Restoration Cemetery GLRI, SOGL, Ohio EPA §319 Altered stream and habitat restoration strategies 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1 Historic Woodlawn Cemetery Waterbody Woodlawn Short $3,800,000 Urban Waters, Restoration Cemetery GLRI, SOGL, Ohio EPA §319

Agricultural nonpoint source reduction strategies Not applicable High quality waters protection strategies None identified Other NPS causes and associated sources of impairment None identified

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4.2.2 Critical Area #2: Project Summary Sheets The PSS provided below were developed based on the actions or activities needed to restore sampling site P11K57 (RM 6.8) to attainment of the ALU designation. These projects are considered next step or priority/short term projects. Medium and long-term projects are not presented in PSSs since they are not yet ready for implementation.

Critical Area 2: Project 1 Nine Element Information Needed Explanation Criteria n/a Title Historic Woodlawn Cemetery Waterbody Restoration Woodlawn Cemetery, Lucas County Soil and Water Project Lead Organization and Criterion d Conservation District, Black Swamp Conservancy, Toledo Partners Museum of Art, Toledo Zoo Sibley Creek-Ottawa River (HUC 04100001 03 08) & Critical Criterion c HUC-12 & Critical Area Area 2 Woodlawn Cemetery with the potential to extend east into Criterion c Project Location Willys Park Which strategy is being Urban sediment and nutrient reduction strategies n/a addressed by this project? Altered stream and habitat restoration strategies Criterion f Time Frame Short Short Description Remove two lowhead dams and restore existing impounded waterbodies to naturalized stream-wetland complex to improve Criterion g ecological function and quality of stormwater discharged to Ottawa River This project will return the primary water course at Woodlawn to a naturalized stream structure, with a well-connected wetland complex (including green infrastructure elements) to provide additional habitat and ecological services via water quality improvement. Specific actions included in the project include: stream restoration through installation of a stream channel with natural geomorphic features to provide varied habitat and flow conditions, increasing dissolved oxygen content and optimizing the deposition of suspended solids in targeted locations; and installation of connected wetland terraces to provide storage capacity and water quality improvements. The project is contingent upon a funding mechanism outside of Ohio EPA §319 to fund any necessary removal of excess sediment from existing waterbodies via mechanical excavation or dredging. Criterion g Project Narrative Through the implementation of these primary actions, Woodlawn aims to (1) improve aquatic habitat and aquatic biological communities; (2) provide improved upland and wetland habitat; (3) improve stormwater quality flowing directly to the Ottawa River; (4) control nutrient and suspended solid loads transmitted to the Ottawa River; and (5) eliminate a potential source of chemical contaminants to the Ottawa River (contingent on an eligible funding source). Woodlawn is currently working with the City of Toledo to transfer ownership of an additional parcel of land that would extend this project an additional ~2,000 linear feet. In addition, Woodlawn is collaborating with the Black Swamp Conservancy to place the land that would be impacted by this project into permanent conservancy as a green space. Woodlawn Property: $3,200,000 Criterion d Estimated Total Cost Willy Park Property: $600,000 Total: $3,800,000

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Urban Waters, GLRI, SOGL, Ohio EPA §319 (not to fund any Criterion d Possible Funding Source potential dredging as a part of this project) Causes: Sedimentation/siltation, Metals, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Direct habitat alterations Criterion a Identified Causes and Sources Sources: Urban runoff/storm sewers, Channelization, Streambank modification/destabilization Improvement is necessary for the IBI score of 28 to be increased to 34 to meet water quality standards. MIwb needs to Part 1: How much improvement significantly increase from 5.9 to 8.6 to meet water quality is needed to remove the NPS standards. There needs to be a significant increase in ICI score impairment associated with this from 18 to 34 to meet water quality standards. It is necessary Critical Area? for QHEI scores to increase from 47 to 60 to meet water quality standards. Objective 1: Remove two of two low-head dams creating barriers to fish passage and alter natural stream flow Objective 2: Create or restore 9 of 20 acres of wetland habitat Objective 3: Create or restore 5 of 20 acres of riparian buffer Criteria b & Part 2: How much of the with native plantings and invasive species management h needed improvement for the Objective 4: Improve 3,960 of 2,000 linear feet of stream whole Critical Area is estimated morphology with natural channel design principles to be accomplished by this

project? This project is expected to increase the IBI score by 4 or 5 points, the MIwb score by approximately 1.5 points, the ICI score by 8 to 10 points, and the QHEI score by 8 or 9 points (65% of critical area goals). It is anticipated that dam removal will result in a short term increase in TSS loads, but over time the project is expected to Part 3: Load reduced? create a reduction of 14,606 kg of TSS/year, 19 kg TP/year, and 181 kg TN/year. How will the effectiveness of IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI will be assessed before and after Criterion i this project in addressing the project implementation. If this project is funded through §319, NPS impairment be measured? Ohio EPA DSW EAU will perform the monitoring. This project will serve to expand the existing outreach and educational programs at Woodlawn Cemetery. To facilitate these opportunities, Woodlawn plans to allow access to the Criterion e Information and Education project area via walking/bike trails and boardwalks with educational signage. Woodlawn also plans to collaborate with local educational institutions to design tours and educational content geared to varied ages of students.

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4.3 CRITICAL AREA #3: OVERVIEW TABLE AND PROJECT SHEETS

The information included in Table 20 is a condensed overview of all identified projects needed for nonpoint source restoration of Critical Area 3. PSS are included for short term projects or any project that is considering seeking funding in the near future. Only those projects with complete PSS will be considered for state and federal nonpoint source program funding. 4.3.1 Critical Area #3: Project Implementation Strategy Overview Table Critical Area 3 is based upon non-attainment at sampling site P11A13 (RM 3.5). The overview table (see Table 20) provides a quick summary of what needs to be completed and where and what problems (cause/source) will be addressed. The table includes projects at all levels of development (e.g., concept, in progress), and the table is intended to show a prioritized path toward restoration of Critical Area 3 in the Sibley Creek-Ottawa River watershed.

Figure 26. Site of proposed wetland restoration (Project 2). Source: Google Maps 2018

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Table 19. Overview table for Critical Area 3 Goal Objective Project Project title Lead organization Timeframe Estimated Potential/actual (criteria d) (criteria f) cost funding sources (criteria d) (criteria d) Urban sediment and nutrient reduction strategies None identified Altered stream and habitat restoration strategies 1,2,3,4 1,2 1 Ottawa River Habitat Island Project City of Toledo Medium $500,000 Ohio EPA §319, GLRI 1,2,3,4 2,3 2 East Matzinger Road Wetland Restoration City of Toledo Medium $350,000 Ohio EPA §319, GLRI

Agricultural nonpoint source reduction strategies Not applicable High quality waters protection strategies None identified Other NPS causes and associated sources of impairment None identified

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4.3.2 Critical Area #3: Project Summary Sheets The PSS provided below were developed based on the actions or activities needed to restore sampling site P11A13 (RM 3.5) to attainment of the ALU designation. These projects are considered next step or priority/short term projects. Long-term projects are not presented in PSS since they are not yet ready for implementation.

Critical Area 3: Project 1 Nine Element Information Needed Explanation Criteria n/a Title Ottawa River Habitat Island Project Project Lead Organization and Criterion d City of Toledo Partners Sibley Creek-Ottawa River (HUC 04100001 03 08) & Critical Criterion c HUC-12 & Critical Area Area 3 Lacustuary zone of the Ottawa River on the south side of the Criterion c Project Location river between Suder Avenue and Summit Street Which strategy is being n/a Altered stream and habitat restoration strategies addressed by this project? Criterion f Time Frame Medium Short Description Creation of a series of habitat islands/in-stream habitat Criterion g structures in the Ottawa River to increase habitat for fish and trap sediment before it enters Lake Erie An in-stream habitat island or series of habitat islands will be constructed with fringe wetlands and fish spawning habitat in the form of gravel beds and LUNKERS to increase fish species diversity. There is the potential for this project to beneficially re-use dredge material in the island construction. The wetland will be designed to filter water and trap sediment from the Ottawa River by channeling water through a flow- Criterion g Project Narrative through channel or series of islands that encourage sediment settling in key areas, thus reducing sediment and nutrient loading to Lake Erie. Over 2,800 linear feet of aquatic habitat will be created. The island will be planted with a variety of native vegetation to support other wildlife such as bird species and insects. The island will also serve as an attractive aesthetic feature from the shoreline and for kayakers and boaters. Criterion d Estimated Total Cost $500,000 Criterion d Possible Funding Source GLRI, Ohio EPA §319 Cause: Direct habitat alterations Criterion a Identified Causes and Sources Source: Streambank modification/destabilization Improvement is necessary for the IBI score of 21 to be increased to 34 to meet water quality standards. MIwb needs Part 1: How much improvement to increase from 6.8 to 8.6 to meet water quality standards. is needed to remove the NPS There needs to be a significant increase in ICI score from 14 impairment associated with this to 34 to meet water quality standards. It is necessary for QHEI Critical Area? Criteria b & scores to increase from 40 to 60 to meet water quality h standards. Part 2: How much of the Objective 1: Create 2,800 of 5,000 linear feet of instream needed improvement for the habitat through the creation of islands or gravel bars whole Critical Area is estimated Objective 2: Create or restore 7 of 20 acres of wetland habitat to be accomplished by this

project?

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This project is expected to increase the IBI score by approximately 3 or 4 points, the MIwb score by about 0.5 point, the ICI and QHEI scores by 4 to 6 points each (30% of critical area goals). Due to the project location, this project will not reduce loads to the Ottawa River, but will help filter water and reduce Part 3: Load reduced? sediment/nutrient input into Lake Erie. Project is expected to create a reduction of 1,095 kg of TSS/year, 1.4 kg TP/year, and 37 kg TN/year. How will the effectiveness of IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI will be assessed before and after Criterion i this project in addressing the project implementation. If this project is funded through §319, NPS impairment be measured? Ohio EPA DSW EAU will perform the monitoring. The project will be publicized to educate residents about the restoration effort. It is not anticipated for this island to be Criterion e Information and Education accessible to the public in order to preserve the habitat functions for fish and nesting birds.

Figure 27. Proposed location for Ottawa River habitat islands (Project 1). Source: Google Maps 2018

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Critical Area 3: Project 2 Nine Element Information Needed Explanation Criteria n/a Title East Matzinger Road Wetland Restoration Project Lead Organization and Criterion d City of Toledo Partners Sibley Creek-Ottawa River (HUC 04100001 03 08) & Critical Criterion c HUC-12 & Critical Area Area 3 North side of the Ottawa River along Matzinger Road directly Criterion c Project Location surrounding the Schwartz Road Bridge Which strategy is being n/a Altered stream and habitat restoration strategies addressed by this project? Criterion f Time Frame Medium Criterion g Short Description Three-acre wetland restoration along the Ottawa River This project will restore three-acres of riverine wetland along the northern bank of the Ottawa River in the lacustuary zone. There is the potential for this project to beneficially re-use dredge material in the wetland design. The wetland will be planted with a diverse range of native plants to provide habitat Criterion g Project Narrative for a variety of wildlife. The project area will also be controlled for invasive species, including Phragmites australis. The wetland will help filter runoff and trap sediment before it travels downstream. The riparian zone upland of the wetland will also be planted with native trees to provide cover. Criterion d Estimated Total Cost $350,000 Criterion d Possible Funding Source Ohio EPA §319, GLRI Cause: Direct habitat alterations Criterion a Identified Causes and Sources Source: Streambank modification/destabilization Improvement is necessary for the IBI score of 21 to be increased to 34 to meet water quality standards. MIwb needs Part 1: How much improvement to increase from 6.8 to 8.6 to meet water quality standards. is needed to remove the NPS There needs to be a significant increase in ICI score from 14 impairment associated with this to 34 to meet water quality standards. It is necessary for QHEI Critical Area? scores to increase from 40 to 60 to meet water quality standards. Criteria b & Objective 2: Create or restore 3 of 20 acres of wetland habitat h Part 2: How much of the Objective 3: Create or restore 1 of 20 acres of riparian buffer needed improvement for the with native plantings and invasive species management whole Critical Area is estimated to be accomplished by this This project is expected to increase the IBI score by 1 or 2 project? points, the MIwb score by 0.1 or 0.2 points, and the ICI and QHEI scores by 1 to 3 points each (10% of critical area goals). Project is expected to create a reduction of 730 kg of Part 3: Load reduced? TSS/year, 1 kg TP/year, and 25 kg TN/year. How will the effectiveness of IBI, MIwb, ICI, and QHEI will be assessed before and after Criterion i this project in addressing the project implementation. If this project is funded through §319, NPS impairment be measured? Ohio EPA DSW EAU will perform the monitoring. This project will be publicized during and after construction. Criterion e Information and Education Interpretive signage will be installed to explain the restoration activities.

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5 REFERENCES

Filoso, S., & Palmer, M. A. 2011. Assessing Stream Restoration Effectiveness at Reducing Nitrogen Export to Downstream Waters. Ecological Applications,21(6), 1989-2006. doi:10.1890/10-0854.1. Accessed August 20, 2018. Homer, C.G., Dewitz, J.A., Yang, L., Jin, S., Danielson, P., Xian, G., Coulston, J., Herold, N.D., Wickham, J.D., and Megown, K., 2015, Completion of the 2011 National Land Cover Database for the conterminous United States-Representing a decade of land cover change information. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, v. 81, no. 5, p. 345-354 Jordan, T. E., Whigham, D. F., Hofmockel, K. H., & Pittek, M. A. 2003. Nutrient and Sediment Removal by a Restored Wetland Receiving Agricultural Runoff. Journal of Environment Quality,32(4), 1534. doi:10.2134/jeq2003.1534. Accessed August 20, 2018. Maumee RAP (Remedial Action Plan). 1997. Maumee River Remedial Action Plan Strategic Plan. http://www.partnersforcleanstreams.org/mau-plan.pdf. Accessed February 19, 2018. _____. 2006a. Maumee Area of Concern Stage 2 Watershed Restoration Plan. Vol 1. January 2006. Prepared in cooperation with the Duck and Otter Creeks Partnership. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015- 04/documents/maumee-river-rap_stagei-append.pdf. Accessed February 19, 2018. _____. 2006b. Maumee Area of Concern Stage 2 Watershed Restoration Plan. Vol 2. January 2006. Prepared in cooperation with the Duck and Otter Creeks Partnership. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015- 04/documents/maumee-aoc-stage2plan.pdf. Accessed February 19, 2018. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). 2017. What is a seiche? National Ocean Service website. October 10, 2017. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seiche.html. Accessed May 22, 2018. Noe, G. B., & Hupp, C. R. 2009. Retention of Riverine Sediment and Nutrient Loads by Coastal Plain Floodplains. Ecosystems,12(5), 728-746. doi:10.1007/s10021-009-9253-5. Accessed August 20, 2018. Ohio Division of Geological Survey. 2006. Bedrock Geological Map of Ohio. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey Map BG-1, generalized page-size version with text, 2 p., scale 1:2,000,000. [Revised 2017]. http://geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/portals/geosurvey/PDFs/BedrockGeology/BG- 1_8.5x11.pdf. Accessed February 21, 2018. Ohio EPA (Ohio Environmental Protection Agency). 2007a. Biological and Water Quality Study of the Ottawa River and Sibley Creek: Dura Avenue Landfill Area. Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water. November 30, 2007. http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/35/documents/OttawaDuraLandfill2007TSD.pdf. Accessed March 16, 2018. _____. 2007b. Biological and Water Quality Study of the Ottawa River: Lower Nine Miles. Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water. December 31, 2007. http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/35/documents/OttawaRiver2007TSD.pdf. Accessed March 16, 2018. _____. 2013. Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorous Task Force II Final Report. November 2013. http://lakeerie.ohio.gov/Portals/0/Reports/Task_Force_Report_October_2013.pdf. Accessed April 23, 2018. _____. 2014. Nonpoint Source Management Plan Update. http://www.epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/nps/NPS_Mgmt_Plan.pdf. Accessed February 26, 2018. _____. 2015. Biological and Water Quality Study of Tenmile Creek and the Ottawa River, 2011. Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water. January 27, 2015. http://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/documents/Tenmile_Ottawa_TSD_2015.pdf. Accessed March 1, 2018. _____. 2016. Ohio 2016 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report. Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water. October 2016.

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http://oepa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=05c510f4f969444f8ec3c2e37adf946f. Accessed March 15, 2018. _____. 2017. Ohio Water Quality Standards, OAC 3475-1. Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water. May 22, 2017. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/oh_34751_1_to_40.pdf. Accessed March 15, 2018. _____. 2018. Maumee AOC Fish. [Microsoft Excel spreadsheet]. Ohio Lake Erie Commission. 2018. State of Ohio’s Domestic Action Plan. February 2018. http://lakeerie.ohio.gov/Portals/0/Ohio%20DAP/DAP%201-0%20Final%20for%20USEPA%202018-02- 07.pdf. Accessed April 23, 2018. PCS (Partners for Clean Streams). 2009. Wetland & Riparian Inventory & Restoration Plan for Swan Creek & Ottawa River. October 2009. Prepared in cooperation with the Mannik & Smith Group, and Hull & Associates. http://web.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/tmdl/MaumeeAOCprojects/FINAL-Wet- Rip%20Inv%20&%20Rest%20Plan%20(10-09).pdf. Accessed February 19, 2018. _____. 2018. Maumee AOC Data Management and Delisting System. Maumee AOC Advisory Committee. http://dmds.maumeerap.org/. Accessed March 16, 2018. Soil Survey Staff. 2017. Natural Resources Conservation Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Web Soil Survey. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/. Accessed March 22, 2018. TMACOG (Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments). 2004. Ottawa River Sediment Remediation Priorities Project Report. October 2004. Prepared in cooperation Hull & Associates, and Blasland, Bouck, & Lee, Inc. http://www.tmacog.org/Environment/Ottawa%20River%20web%20page/Ottawa%20River%20Priorities%2 0Report.pdf. Accessed March 16, 2018. Toledo Waterways Initiative. 2018. Project Map. http://www.toledowaterwaysinitiative.com/project-map/. Accessed March 15, 2018. U.S. Census Bureau. 2016. American Community Survey. Retrieved from: https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml. Accessed February 21, 2018.

U.S. EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Level IV Ecoregions of Ohio. [shapefile]. 2012. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) – National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL). https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregion-download-files-state-region-5#pane- 33. Accessed February 21, 2018. _____. 2018. U.S. Action Plan for Lake Erie. February 2018. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018- 03/documents/us_dap_final_march_1.pdf. Accessed April 23, 2018.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3 Ecological Services and Ohio EPA Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization. 2016. Draft Natural Resource Restoration Plan & Environmental Assessment for the Ottawa River Assessment Area. February 9, 2016. http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/30/ENV_ENFORCEMENT- 2559601-draft_restoration_plan_9%20feb.pdf. Accessed April 9, 2018.

Vymazal, J. 2007. Removal of Nutrients in Various Types of Constructed Wetlands. Science of The Total Environment,380(1-3), 48-65. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.09.014. Accessed August 20, 2018.

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