Village of Independence-Cuyahoga River

Home , Cuyahoga River

March 2020 Version 1.0 Approved: May 21, 2020

(HUC 12) 04110002 06 02 Nine-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plan (NPS-IS Plan)

Photo Credit: CVE Staff Presented to:

West Creek Conservancy P.O. Box 347113 Cleveland, OH 44134

Developed by:

Chagrin Valley Engineering, LTD 22999 Forbes Road Cleveland, OH 44146

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Acknowledgements Chagrin Valley Engineering, LTD. (CVE) would like to thank the following staff for their contributions to the development and editing of this plan: Erin Van Nort and Francine Scharver. All photographs in this document were taken and provided by CVE staff, unless otherwise noted.

The Nine-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plan (NPS-IS Plan) Tinker’s Creek: Pond Brook HUC- 12 (04110002 05 01) also served as a template for this plan. This is the first watershed plan focused on the Village of Independence watershed HUC-12.

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is acknowledged for the GIS data acquisition and production of the maps provided in this plan. Special thanks to Pamela Davis.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) is acknowledged for sharing potential stormwater projects and information with the development team. Special thanks to Paul Kovalcik and Rachel Webb.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) is acknowledged for providing biological and water quality sampling data. Special thanks to Mandy Razzano.

The West Creek Conservancy team and staff are also acknowledged for their guidance in writing this report. Special thanks to Peter Bode.

Finally, we want to thank West Creek Conservancy for being the fiscal agent. We also want to extend our thanks to NEORSD and Cleveland Metroparks. Without this funding, guidance and leadership, this project would not have been possible.

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Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... III LIST OF TABLES ...... V LIST OF FIGURES ...... VI LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS...... VII CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ...... 1

1.1 BACKGROUND ...... 2 1.2 WATERSHED PROFILE & HISTORY ...... 2 1.3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT ...... 5 CHAPTER 2: VILLAGE OF INDEPENDENCE WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION AND ASSESSMENT SUMMARY ...... 6

2.1 WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION ...... 6 2.1.1 PHYSICAL AND NATURAL FEATURES ...... 6 2.1.2 LAND USE AND PROTECTION ...... 12 2.2 SUMMARY OF VILLAGE OF INDEPENDENCE HUC-12 BIOLOGICAL TRENDS...... 15 2.3 SUMMARY OF POLLUTION CAUSES AND ASSOCIATED SOURCES ...... 20 2.4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR DETERMINING CRITICAL AREAS AND DEVELOPING IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES ...... 23 CHAPTER 3: CRITICAL AREA CONDITIONS & RESTORATION STRATEGIES ...... 24

3.1 OVERVIEW OF CRITICAL AREAS ...... 24 3.2 CRITICAL AREA 1: CONDITIONS, GOALS & OBJECTIVES ...... 25 3.2.1 DETAILED CHARACTERIZATION ...... 25 3.2.2 DETAILED BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS ...... 25 3.2.3 DETAILED CAUSES AND ASSOCIATED SOURCES ...... 26 3.2.4 OUTLINE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR CRITICAL AREA #1 ...... 26 3.3 CRITICAL AREA 2: CONDITIONS, GOALS & OBJECTIVES ...... 28 3.3.1 DETAILED CHARACTERIZATION ...... 28 3.3.2 DETAILED BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS ...... 30 3.3.3 DETAILED CAUSES AND ASSOCIATED SOURCES ...... 30 3.3.4 OUTLINE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR CRITICAL AREA #2 ...... 30 CHAPTER 4: PROJECTS AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY ...... 32

4.1 PROJECTS AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY OVERVIEW ...... 32 4.2 CRITICAL AREA 1: OVERVIEW TABLE ...... 34 4.3 CRITICAL AREA 2: OVERVIEW TABLE ...... 35 APPENDIX A ...... 38

CLEVELAND METROPARKS DUNHAM PARK (BEDFORD RESERVATION) PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ...... 38 WORKS CITED ...... 39

List of Tables Table 1: Impoundment and Dam Locations with Village of Independence HUC-12 ...... 9 Table 2: National Wetland Inventory Acreage Data for Village of Independence HUC-12 ...... 10 Table 3: Cuyahoga County State and Federally Listed Species Observed in Cuyahoga Valley National Park ...... 11 Table 4: Land Use Coverage within Village of Independence HUC-12 (2012) ...... 12 Table 5: Village of Independence HUC-12 OEPA 1996 Monitoring Results ...... 15 Table 6: OEPA TMDL Data for Village of Independence HUC-12 ...... 16 Table 7: Village of Independence HUC-12, OEPA 2014 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Results ...... 16 Table 8: Village of Independence, OEPA 2016 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Results ...... 16 Table 9: Village of Independence HUC-12, OEPA Aquatic Life Use Monitoring Sites and Scores ...... 17 Table 10: OEPA 2017 Cuyahoga River Mainstem Study, Village of Independence HUC-12 ...... 17 Table 11: Beneficial Use Impairments Results for Village of Independence HUC-12 ...... 18

List of Figures Figure 1: Village of Independence HUC-12 Watershed Location Map ...... 1 Figure 2: Village of Independence HUC-12 Municipal Communities Map ...... 2 Figure 3: View of the Cuyahoga River in Cuyahoga Valley National Park looking downstream at RM 14.33 ...... 4 Figure 4: Village of Independence HUC-12 Park Lands Map ...... 5 Figure 5: Village of Independence HUC-12 Underlying Soil Series Map...... 8 Figure 6: Village of Independence HUC-12 FEMA Flood Zone Map ...... 9 Figure 7: Village of Independence HUC-12 National Wetland Inventory Map ...... 10 Figure 8: Village of Independence HUC-12 Land Use Map ...... 13 Figure 9: Lower Branch of Un-named Tributary at RM 16.24, looking downstream north of W Fitzwater Rd ...... 14 Figure 10: Tributary at RM 14.33 known as Hemlock Creek, looking downstream south of Elmwood Ave...... 14 Figure 11: Hemlock Creek Trail bridge crossing over dam spillway in Cuyahoga Valley National park ...... 19 Figure 12: Un-named tributary south of E Sprague Rd, view looking upstream ...... 20 Figure 13: Village of Independence HUC-12 Home Sewage Treatment System Location Map ...... 21 Figure 14: Village of Independence HUC-12, example of outfall/outlet in-stream structure ...... 22 Figure 15: Low Head Dam located along Tributary at RM 16.24; photograph courtesy of NEORSD ...... 22 Figure 16: Village of Independence HUC-12 Critical Area(s) & Projects w/OEPA Attainment Monitoring Sites .... 25 Figure 17: Example altered stream channel in Critical Area #2; City of Independence, Cuyahoga County ...... 29 Figure 18: Example of altered stream channel Critical Area #2; Village of Valley View, Cuyahoga County ...... 29

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

A ALU Aquatic Life Use AOC Area of Concern

B BEHI Bank Erosion Hazard Index BMP Best Management Practice BUI Beneficial Use Impairment

C CWA Clean Water Act CWH Coldwater Habitat CVE Chagrin Valley Engineering, Ltd. CVNP Cuyahoga Valley National Park

D DSW Division of Surface Water

E EOLP Erie-Ontario Lake Plains

F FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FWS United States Fish and Wildlife Services

G GLRI Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

H HHEI Primary Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index HSTS Home Sewage Treatment Systems HUC Hydrologic Unit Code

I IBI Index of Biotic Integrity ICI Invertebrate Community Index

M MIwb Modified Index of Well-being MS4 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System

N NOACA Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency NEORSD Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District NLCD National Land Cover Data NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System NPS Nonpoint Source NPS-IS Nine Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plan NWI National Wetlands Inventory

O Ohio DA Ohio Department of Agriculture Ohio DNR Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ohio EPA Ohio Environmental Protection Agency ORAM Ohio Rapid Assessment Method

P PIPE Public Involvement Public Education vii

Q QAPP Quality Assurance Project Plan QHEI Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index

R RAP Remedial Action Plan RM River Mile

S SWCD Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District SR State Route

T TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load TSD Technical Support Document

U USDA United States Department of Agriculture USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency USGS United States Geological Survey

W WAP Watershed Action Plan WCC West Creek Conservancy WWH Warmwater Habitat

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Chapter 1: Introduction This planning document addresses Village of Independence-Cuyahoga River HUC-12 (04110002 06 02), a sub- watershed of the Cuyahoga River in Northeast Ohio. The Village of Independence watershed is located entirely within Cuyahoga County, within the following municipalities: Independence (41.86%), Valley View (22.90%), Garfield Heights (9.11%), Brecksville (8.23%), Seven Hills (7.04%), Maple Heights (5.38%), Broadview Heights (4.10%), Walton Hills (1.35%), Bedford (0.03%) and Cuyahoga Heights (0.01%). Please see below Figure 1: Village of Independence Watershed Location Map and Figure 2: Village of Independence Municipal Communities Map.

As State and Federal nonpoint source funding now relies upon the development of an NPS-IS plan, this NPS-IS plan must be accepted by both the Ohio Department of Agriculture (Ohio DA) and Ohio EPA as meeting the 9- minimum element requirements as outlined in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our Waters. West Creek Conservancy and its collaborators including watershed members and communities, local agencies and other conservation organizations recognize the importance of strategic project implementation as we seek to address the impairments within Village of Independence sub-watershed.

Figure 1: Village of Independence HUC-12 Watershed Location Map

Figure 2: Village of Independence HUC-12 Municipal Communities Map

1.1 Background Until now no formal watershed plan has been developed for the Village of Independence HUC-12. This NPS-IS builds off the existing Cuyahoga River watershed studies that have incorporated this sub-watershed. The Ohio EPA 2018 Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Report and NEORSD’s Small Cuyahoga River South Subwatersheds Stormwater Master Plan have provided a starting point for initial project identification and implementation, to improve and protect the waters of Village of Independence HUC-12. With an emphasis on the critical areas within the HUC-12, the NEORSD, watershed municipalities and Cleveland Metroparks have helped to define project focus on areas. Projects identified through the NEORSD Stormwater Master Planning process were focused on issues or problems related to erosion which affects water quality, flooding (water quantity) and infrastructure in the watershed. With input from all of these partners and reports, we have narrowed the focus for this plan on issues of water quality improvement related to urban runoff and the stream riparian areas.

1.2 Watershed Profile & History The Village of Independence sub-watershed drains an area of 16.97-square miles that includes almost 5-miles of the mainstem Cuyahoga River. The locally named Hemlock Creek, a perennial, direct tributary to the Cuyahoga River (confluence at River Mile 14.33) is located within this HUC-12. The various headwaters of Hemlock Creek originate west of Interstate 77 in the city of Seven Hills. Hemlock Creek flows through the City of Independence’s Elmwood Park as well the City’s adjacent municipal complex before entering a culvert crossing under State Route 21 (Brecksville Road). Downstream of State route 21 Hemlock Creek flows into the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, were it eventually meets the Cuyahoga River past the terminus of Stone Road.

Conservation and recreational park lands makes up over 30-square miles of the Village of Independence HUC-12, the majority of which is the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See Figure 4 Park Lands Map. 2

As Cuyahoga County developed, it transitioned from agriculture land to industrial and urban development. During the mid-nineteenth century, development was spurred along by the construction of the Ohio & Erie Canal. The development of the highway systems in the 1950s opened the entirety of Cuyahoga County to urban sprawl. This expansion of residential development along with the environmental toll industrial waste had on the Cuyahoga River led citizen groups and local governments to advocate for the formation of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. Created by Congress in 1974 Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area was re- designated a National Park in 2000.

The Village of Independence HUC-12 is an integral part of the process to “delist” the Cuyahoga River as an Area of Concern (AOC). The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is a formal agreement between the United States and Canada. This agreement was initiated to reverse the devastation from industrial pollution to the Great Lakes and its tributaries, designating 43 Areas of Concern (AOC). In 1988, the Cuyahoga Remedial Action Plan Coordinating Committee (CRCPO) determined the boundaries of the Cuyahoga AOC, which includes the Village of Independence HUC-12.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement calls for Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) to restore and protect ten (10) beneficial uses in the Cuyahoga AOC. An impaired beneficial use means a change in the chemical, physical, or biological integrity of the Great Lakes system to which the Cuyahoga River flows too. To date three (3) Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) have been removed based upon an approval process overseen by the USEPA. They are as follows:

• BUI 1a Restrictions on Fish Consumption: The objective of this BUI was to reduce the contaminant levels in fish tissue to meet state or Lake Erie consumption advisory levels by removing the sources of contamination. Watershed partners developed a strategy and action plan that included comparing contamination to applicable species advisories were such exist. This impairment was removed in December 2018 by the USEPA have it was determined that the advisories for consuming fish caught in the AOC need be no more stringent than Ohio consumption advisories for fish caught in Lake Erie.

• BUI 10b Public Access and Recreation Impairments (Cuyahoga AOC Only): The objective of this BUI was to increase public access the ship channel and Cuyahoga mainstem for recreation and fishing. The strategy and action plan developed by watershed partners was to increase public park space and greenways along the ship channel. This included the completion of the Towpath Trail and other sites which would increase fishing access as well as access points for water trail users. This BUI was removed from the Cuyahoga AOC’s list of impairments in December 2017.

• BUI 11 Degradation of Aesthetics: In order to meet the objective of this BUI there could be no observed ongoing occurrences of sludge deposits, oil sheens, scum and other objectionable materials; specially materials that produce color, odor or other nuisances. Or if Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are a significant cause of aesthetic impairments and the CSOs are being addressed under an approved long- term control plan or other legally binding document, this BUI may be considered restored. Where long- term remedies may take several years to be fully implanted, it may be necessary to develop short-term strategies. And if Municipal Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) are a significant cause of aesthetic impairments and the MS4 is regulated under a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit or other legally binding document, this BUI may be considered restored. The USEPA approved the removal of this impairment in December 2017.

On March 22, 2017, a document entitled Support for the Development of Management Actions in the Cuyahoga Area of Concern, was presented to the Ohio EPA by Tetra Tech for the purpose of documenting the analyses that were performed to develop a list of prioritized management actions for the Cuyahoga AOC.

This report indicated a candidate project (bank stabilization) within the Village of Independence HUC-12 as well as giving Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) results. The BUI results are discussed further in Section 2.2 Summary of Village of Independence HUC-12 Biological Trends.

Figure 3: View of the Cuyahoga River in Cuyahoga Valley National Park looking downstream at RM 14.33

Figure 4: Village of Independence HUC-12 Park Lands Map

1.3 Public Participation and Involvement To address needs within the watershed, this planning document was created with data and input from and communication with agencies such as Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Ohio DNR), Cleveland Metroparks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and NEORSD on water quality, protected lands, and potential projects.

In 2019, West Creek Conservancy and Chagrin Valley Engineering, Ltd. worked with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s Senior Project Manager, Rachel Webb and Stormwater Projects Specialist, Paul Kovalcik to help identify implementation projects. These efforts included meetings, review of documents and plans and email communication with city engineers and consultants to identify problem areas in communities and possible solutions. Communication with Jennifer Greiser, Director of Natural Resources, and Kristen Trolio, Grants Manager for Cleveland Metroparks was initiated to review plans and develop project summary sheets with their park district. This input from watershed partners has helped to establish critical areas and projects that will help bring these areas into attainment. Five (5) projects were identified and are included within this plan. Critical Area #2 has one (1) project ready to be implemented once a funding source is identified. Other projects are conceptual at this time and have been identified by watershed partners as areas needing further study. As designed this NPS-IS Plan is intended to be a working document. When new biological data is obtained, and projects are completed the watershed partners will update the document to ensure the goals and objectives for this HUC-12 are met.

Today, all ten (10) communities within the Village of Independence HUC-12 are considered Phase 2 stormwater regulated communities. The Ohio EPA requires these communities to follow the stormwater management requirements the small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System program (NPDES) permit. MS4 NPDES permits require these communities to apply for a permit every 5 five years, manage a Stormwater Management Program, update and maintain a Stormwater Management Plan and annually report on program/plan implementation efforts.

The Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) and NEORSD are both working with the communities in the Village of Independence HUC-12 to assist them with Public Involvement Public Education (PIPE) to help satisfy those requirements set forth in the state MS4 permit. Chapter 2: Village of Independence Watershed Characterization and Assessment Summary

2.1 Watershed Characterization

2.1.1 Physical and Natural Features The physiographic features of the watershed are those characteristically related to both the topography and geology of the basin. The entirety of Cuyahoga County, including Village of Independence HUC-12 lies within the glaciated region of Ohio. Below the glacial deposits the underlying bedrock is sandstone and shale. For most the HUC-12 the depth to bedrock is greater than 200-centimeters. The depth to bedrock is 50 to 100-centimeters west and east of State Route 21, north of Pleasant Valley Road in Independence which can be seen along Hemlock Creek. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Case Western Reserve University along with local historical societies have records of various mining operations that historically took place within the Village of Independence HUC-12. These operations cut sandstone and shale. Also found within this watershed is the Haydite Mine, one of the largest open strip mines in the state of Ohio. Operations at this mine, located in the city of Independence near the Cuyahoga River shut down at the beginning of 2019.

Elevations in the watershed vary, with the highest elevation point being 1,282 feet above mean sea level and the lowest point lying at 566 feet above mean sea level. In the general the higher elevations are at the extreme western and eastern extent of the HUC-12, the lowest along the Cuyahoga River valley.

Slopes vary greatly within the Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed, with gentle to flat areas that occasionally to frequently flood to steep slopes. The Ohio Balance Growth, Best Local Land Use Practices in general define steep slopes as 10-12%. Areas of this watershed can be described as undulating. Steep slopes generally have the highest erosion potential from runoff or from channel undercutting of the stream banks. Identifying these locations within the HUC-12 that either would contribute to higher erosion potential or offer the most value for sensitive and unique habitats is helpful during the project development process.

Along with percent slope, the underlying soil series and characteristics of these soils factor into the water quality within a watershed. Soil characteristics or properties that are most commonly reviewed when evaluating areas of concern are permeability, drainage rates and erodibility. Permeability refers to the property of a soil to permit the flow of water. Whereas erodibility is the susceptibility of a soil to erosion by water. Erodibility is factored not only by the soil type, but also the percent slope. Another key resource factor to evaluate when considering soil types are soils that are classified as hydric. Hydric or wetland soils are typically defined as those soils that are saturated, flooded or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions that favor the growth of hydrophytic (water-loving) vegetation.

Soils are assigned to hydrologic soil groups. Hydrologic soil groups are based on estimates of runoff potential. Soils are assigned to one of seven (7) groups according to the rate of water infiltration when the soils are not protected by vegetation, are thoroughly wet, and receive precipitation from long-duration soils. The far western and eastern extents of the Village of Independence HUC-12 soil series fall within Group D, which is defined as the following: Group D consists of soils with a very slow infiltration rate and high runoff potential. This group is 6 composed of clays that have a high shrink-swell potential, soils with a high-water table, soils that have a clay pan or clay layer at or near the surface. This characterization of soils helped define boundaries of the critical areas as being more prone to run-off and non-point source pollution issues in the watershed. Potential project in these areas aim at removing impervious surface and implementing green infrastructure practices that will improve the water quality and help reduce water velocity which may increase erosion issues.

Moving in from the boundaries of this sub-watershed, the underlying soils series typically fall within Group C and Group C/D which are defined as having a lower infiltration rate due to a high-water table and/or a layer that impedes the downward movement of water with a slow rate of infiltration if drained.

The Cuyahoga River corridor and central areas of the Village of Independence HUC-12 mostly fall within Group B and Group A which consist of deep well drained soils (sands or gravelly sands) with moderate to high infiltration reducing the need to address runoff issues in these areas.

The predominant soil series in the Village of Independence HUC-12 areas are as follows:

• Mahoning Soil Series (13.6%) - deep soils that are somewhat poorly drained and slowly or very slowly permeable; slope ranges from 0 to 6% • Hornell Soil Series (11.1%) – moderately deep soils that are somewhat poorly drained and slowly permeable; slopes 0 to 18% • Mitiwanga Soil Series (9.1%) – moderately deep soils that are somewhat poorly drained moderately permeable; slopes 0 to 6% • Udorthents Soils (8.7%) – these soils are within areas that have been cut or filled; slopes range from 0 to 6% • Cardinal-Mentor (8.4%) – moderately well drained soils on valley sides; slopes 25 to 75% • Ellsworth Soil Series (8.4%) – deep soils that are moderately well drained and slowly or very slowly permeable; slopes range 2 to 70% • Urban-land (6.4%) – urban land are areas where more than 80% of the surface is covered by asphalt, concrete, buildings or to the man-made surfaces

Figure 5: Village of Independence HUC-12 Underlying Soil Series Map

Along with analyzing soils and slope, floodplain identification and protection is vital in watershed-based planning. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mapping identifies flood prone areas. Within Village of Independence HUC-12 mapped floodplains are associated with Hemlock Creek and the Cuyahoga River. These special flood hazard areas (100 and 500-year flood zones) are identified on Figure 6 FEMA Flood Zone Map.

While outside of mapped FEMA special flood hazard areas, headwater streams still require access to surrounding floodplains. Floodplains provide essential habitat for wildlife, improve water quality and provide flood storage. Community based stream setbacks are vital to preserving riparian corridors that provide necessary flood storage and wetland protection.

Figure 6: Village of Independence HUC-12 FEMA Flood Zone Map

Other watershed alterations that impact a streams ability to handle stormwater runoff along with degrading and destabilizing stream channels are in-stream barriers including – poorly designed culverts and roadway crossings. Major structures that have been identified within the Village of Independence by several agencies including NEORSD are listed in the following table. Dams can impede or altogether block mitigation routes of fish, prevent sediment transportation, can increase water temperature and can reduce dissolved oxygen levels.

Table 1: Impoundment and Dam Locations with Village of Independence HUC-12

Receiving Name Owner/Type Location Stream Tributary @ RM 16.24 Private/ Concrete East of Brecksville Rd, Tributary @ RM (Upper Branch) low head North of Dalebrook Rd 16.24 -> – Independence OH Cuyahoga River Tributary @ RM 14.33 Private/ Concrete East of Brecksville Rd, Tributary @ RM (Hemlock Creek) low head North of Hemlock Rd – 14.33 -> Independence OH Cuyahoga River Tributary @ RM 16.24 Private/ East of Brecksville Rd, Tributary @ RM (Lower Branch) Impoundment North of Fitzwater Rd – 16.24 -> Brecksville OH Cuyahoga River

Wetlands adjacent to streams provide vital flood storage as well as habitat for wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the principal federal agency tasked with providing information to the public on the status and trends of wetlands within the United States. This data is shared via the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). Figure 7 National Wetland Inventory Map indicates wetland areas within the Village of Independence HUC-12 as identified by the NWI. Table 2 National Wetland Inventory Acreage Data breaks down the acreage of each wetland type found within the Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed. 9

Figure 7: Village of Independence HUC-12 National Wetland Inventory Map

Table 2: National Wetland Inventory Acreage Data for Village of Independence HUC-12

WETLAND TYPE Acres Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland 71.26 Freshwater Emergent Wetland 14.86 Freshwater Pond 27.39 Riverine 211.45 Total Acreage: 324.96

The NWI database provides an indication of general wetland conditions likely to be in the area. The accuracy of the NWI database is not such that it can be relied on in place of independent field observations for determining the actual presence, type, or size of any water resource in the area. The absence of a water resource indication on the NWI may merely indicate the absence of data and, therefore, cannot be relied upon as the basis of a conclusion that a water resource is not present. Most water resources identified by the NWI in the Village of Independence HUC-12 are classified as Riverine, a Cowardin Classification. Cowardin defines all riverine systems as those habitats contained within a channel.

A complete inventory of natural features including state and federally listed plant and animal species has not been conducted for the Village of Independence HUC-12. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife (DOW) maintains a record of listed species for each of Ohio’s eight-eight counties. And the FWS maintains a database of federally listed species that can occur within Ohio by County. For Cuyahoga County (Village of Independence HUC-12) the FWS list is as follows: federally endangered - Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), Kirtland’s Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) and Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis); federally threatened - Rufa Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) and Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis). 10

Although the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has been de-listed as an endangered species, it is still protected under the Migratory Bird Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Act, as well as the Lacey Act. FWS includes the Bald Eagle for all counties in Ohio as a Species of Concern.

In the absence of an ecological inventory in the Village of Independence HUC-12, the National Park Service’s Species List for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a helpful baseline. The following table highlights both state and federally listed species known by the ODNR and FWS to be within Cuyahoga County and have been identified within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Table 3: Cuyahoga County State and Federally Listed Species Observed in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

State Status Federal Status Category Species – Scientific Name Common Name Species of Concern Amphibian Hemidactylium scutatum Four-toed Salamander Species of Concern Bird Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned Hawk Special Interest Bird Catharus guttatus Hermit Thrush Special Interest Bird Dendroica caerulescens Black-throated Blue Warbler Special Interest Bird Dendroica fusca Blackburnian Warbler Special Interest Bird Dendroica magnolia Magnolia Warbler Species of Concern Bird Dolichonyx oryzoides Bobolink Special Interest Bird Empidonax minimus Least Flycatcher Species of Concern Bird Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen Special Interest Bird Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco Special Interest Bird Oporonis philadelphia Morning Warbler Species of Concern Bird Rallus limicola Virginia Rail Special Interest Bird Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned Kinglet Special Interest Bird Seiurus noveboracensis Northern Waterthrush Special Interest Bird Sitta canadensis Red-breasted Nuthatch Species of Concern Bird Sphyrapicus varius Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Special Interest Bird Troglodytes Winter Wren Special Interest Bird Wilsonia canadensis Canada Warbler Species of Concern Mammal Condylura cristata Star-nosed Mole Species of Concern Mammal Eptesicus fuscus Big Brown Bat Species of Concern Mammal Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver-haired Bat Species of Concern Mammal Lasiurus borealis Red Bat Species of Concern Mammal Lasiurus cinereus Hoary Bat Species of Concern Mammal Microtus pinetorum Woodland Vole Species of Concern Mammal Myotis lucifugus Little Brown Bat Endangered Endangered Mammal Myotis sodalis Indiana Bat Species of Concern Threatened Mammal Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat Species of Concern Mammal Sorex fumeus Smoky Shrew Potentially Threatened Plant Carex bebbii Bebb’s Sedge Potentially Threatened Plant Corallorhiza maculata Spotted Coral Root Potentially Threatened Plant Cornus rugosa Round-leaved Dogwood Threatened Plant Elymus trachycaulus Bearded Wheat Grass Potentially Threatened Plant Gentianopsis crinite Fringed Gentian Endangered Plant Juniperus communis Ground Juniper Threatened Plant Solidago squarrosa Leafy Goldenrod

An inventory of invasive species has not been conducted for the Village of Independence HUC-12. The term invasive species (non-native) refers to those species that have been introduced. In general, invasive plant species out-compete native plants, resulting in decreased plant diversity (monocultures), as well as choking off habitat niches, along with chemical impacts associated with decaying biomass. Plant species that fit this classification include the following: Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea), Narrow-leaved Cattail (Typha angustifolia), Buckthorn (Frangula alnus), Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) and Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). Invasive aquatic species have been identified during studies of the Cuyahoga River by multiple agencies including the Ohio EPA, NEORSD and Ohio DNR.

2.1.2 Land Use and Protection The Village of Independence sub-watershed drains an area of 16.97-square miles within ten (10) communities in Cuyahoga County, in northeastern Ohio. These communities are suburbs of Cleveland that saw large population growths in 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Residential land use makes up half of the land use within the HUC-12. Most of the business/commercial and industrial land uses are in the northern extent of this watershed in the village of Valley View around Canal Road, in the city of Garfield Heights and in the City of Independence along Rockside Road. The outlier is in the city of Independence along Pleasant Valley Road. The National Land Cover Database indicates that in 2011 the watershed consisted of 26-40% impervious surface.

Development of land is associated with an increase in impervious surfaces, making stormwater management vital to maintaining a healthy watershed. If stormwater off impervious surfaces is not handled properly it can alter the flow, frequency and quantity within the watershed which can lead to downstream flooding and erosion. See Figure 8 Land Use Map and Table 4 Land Use Coverage for further details.

Table 4: Land Use Coverage within Village of Independence HUC-12 (2012)

Land Cover Type SQMI Subwatershed % Residential 7.28 42.93% Government/Public/Institutional 2.84 16.75% No Data 2.62 15.45% Vacant Land 2.40 14.19% Industrial 0.92 5.43% Business/Commercial 0.71 4.17% Open Land/Park/Recreation 0.18 1.09%

Figure 8: Village of Independence HUC-12 Land Use Map

Figure 9: Lower Branch of Un-named Tributary at RM 16.24, looking downstream north of W Fitzwater Rd

Figure 10: Tributary at RM 14.33 known as Hemlock Creek, looking downstream south of Elmwood Ave 14

2.2 Summary of Village of Independence HUC-12 Biological Trends No one study has focused solely on the Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed. In order to establish biological data trends, several studies conducted by the Ohio EPA as well as other agencies such as NEORSD were considered. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948, as amended 1972, commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA) directed States to create a list [303 (d)] of impaired waters. After being listed on the 303 (d) a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was created for each of the impaired waters. A TMDL is a calculation or budget of the maximum amount of pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet Water Quality Standards. In the State of Ohio, the Ohio EPA has established Ohio Water Quality Standards (Ohio Administrative Code 3745).

The Ohio EPA conducted extensive sampling in 1996 including three (3) sampling locations along the Cuyahoga River within the Village of Independence HUC-12. This study included sampling for fish, macroinvertebrates as well as chemical analysis. Three (3) indices are utilized to the determine the health of biological communities within surface waters. There are two (2) indices for measuring fish health, the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and the Modified Index of Well Being (MIwb). The third biological study measures the health of macroinvertebrates, known as the Invertebrate Community Index (ICI).

Sampling for fish was conducted at RM 15.90, macroinvertebrates at RM 15.60 and water chemistry at RM 13.18. The fish sampling was conducted over two (2) days and nineteen (19) fish species were observed.

Table 5: Village of Independence HUC-12 OEPA 1996 Monitoring Results

IBI Score MIWB Score IBI Score MIWB Score River Mile September September ICI Score August 1996 August 1996 1996 1996 15.90 20 5.7 24 7.0 N/A 15.60 N/A N/A N/A N/A 44 13.18 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Ohio EPA’s Ohio Water Quality Standards, Aquatic Life Use designation of Warmwater Habitat (WWH) is defined as “water capable of supporting and maintaining a balanced, integrated, adaptive community of warmwater aquatic organisms” as compared to the 25th percentile of the identified reference reaches within the ecoregion.

The chemical and biological sampling results did not all meet Warmwater Habitat standards. All results were reported in the Ohio EPA Biological and Water Quality Study of the Cuyahoga River and Selected Tributaries: Volume 1-Geauga, Portage, Summit and Cuyahoga Counties (Ohio). This data collected by the Ohio EPA in 1996 led to the Lower Cuyahoga River being placed on the 303 (d) list. (See Index Number MAS/1997-12.4 http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dsw/document_index/psdindx.aspx.)

The Ohio EPA’s TMDL for the Lower Cuyahoga River basin, which includes Village of Independence HUC-12 was approved by the USEPA in September 2003. The Lower Cuyahoga River TMDL study and plan is based upon data collected through 2000. This TMDL contains data on three (3) tributaries (Un-named Tributary at River Mile 14.33, Un-named Tributary at River Mile 15.11 and Un-named Tributary at River Mile 16.24) as well as one (1) Cuyahoga River mainstem (River Mile 15.6) sampling located within Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed. The TMDL data results can be found in Table 6.

Table 6: OEPA TMDL Data for Village of Independence HUC-12

River ALU IBI QHEI ICI MIWB Sample Station Name Mile Type Score Score Score Score Full Cuyahoga River 15.6 WWH 38 79 44 8.9 Full Un-named Tributary at Riverview Rd 16.24 WWH 44 56.0 N/A N/A Partial Un-named Tributary at Stone Rd 14.33 WWH 42 69.0 N/A N/A Non Un-named Tributary at Canal Rd 15.11 WWH 28 57.5 N/A N/A

Sampling completed in 2008 in the Village of Independence HUC-12 was reported in the Ohio EPA 2014 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report. The three (3) sampling locations on the Cuyahoga River all met WWH standards. The results are compiled in Table 7.

Table 7: Village of Independence HUC-12, OEPA 2014 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Results

River ALU Sampling IBI QHEI ICI MIWB Sample Station ID & Name Mile Type Year Score Score Score Score ID 200027; Cuyahoga River at Full Independence @ Stone Rd 14.20 WWH 2008 N/A N/A 50.0 N/A Full ID F01S11; Cuyahoga River at Hillside 15.61 WWH 2008 N/A 73.8 40 N/A ID F99Q03; Cuyahoga River at Valley Full View at I-480 Bridge 12.0 WWH 2008 36 63.5 44 9.2

The Ohio EPA 2016 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report contains data on two (2) sampling locations within the Village of Independence HUC-12. The data was collected in 2014 and shows the Cuyahoga River in full attainment of WWH standards. A summary of the data from this report can be found in Table 8.

Table 8: Village of Independence, OEPA 2016 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Results

River ALU Sampling IBI QHEI ICI MIWB Sample Station ID & Name Mile Type Year Score Score Score Score Full ID F01S11; Cuyahoga River at Hillside 15.61 WWH 2014 N/A 73.5 44 N/A ID F99Q03; Cuyahoga River at Valley Full View at I-480 Bridge 12.0 WWH 2014 40 68.5 N/A 8.34

Scores and beneficial use- aquatic life designations from the Ohio EPA’s 2018 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report for Village of Independence HUC-12 can be found in the following table (Table 9). The sampling for this data was collected in 2015 and 2016.

Table 9: Village of Independence HUC-12, OEPA Aquatic Life Use Monitoring Sites and Scores

River ALU Sampling IBI QHEI ICI MIWB Sample Station ID & Name Mile Type Year Score Score Score Score ID 303700; Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33-Hemlock Creek) at end of Non Oakwood Dr 2.30 WWH 2016 20 59.5 N/A N/A ID 303701; Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33-Hemlock Creek) downstream Partial Brecksville Rd 1.15 WWH 2016 28 75.8 36.0 N/A ID F01G41; Tributary to Cuyahoga River Full (14.33-Hemlock Creek) at Stone Rd 0.10 WWH 2016 36 64.0 40.0 N/A ID 303732; Tributary to Cuyahoga River Partial (14.63) downstream railroad tracks 0.10 WWH 2016 42 68.5 14.0 N/A Full ID F01S11; Cuyahoga River at Hillside 15.61 WWH 2015 N/A 77.8 46.0 N/A ID F99Q03; Cuyahoga River at Valley View Full at I-480 Bridge 12.0 WWH 2016 38 66.3 30.0 8.64

The results of the Ohio EPA’s Cuyahoga River Mainstem Study 2017 have not been published officially in an Ohio EPA document or water quality report, but preliminary results have been released by Ohio EPA and can be found in Table 10.

Table 10: OEPA 2017 Cuyahoga River Mainstem Study, Village of Independence HUC-12

River ALU Sampling IBI QHEI ICI MIWB Sample Station ID & Name Mile Type Year Score Score Score Score

ID F01S11; Cuyahoga River at Hillside 15.61 Data will be included in later versions of this document ID 502020; Cuyahoga River @ Old Rockside Rd at Independence 13.18 Data will be included in later versions of this document ID F99Q03; Cuyahoga River at Valley Full View at I-480 Bridge 12.0 WWH 2017 42 75.50 52 10.17

Of the Biological and Habitat Beneficial Use Impairments (BUI) for the Cuyahoga River AOC three (3) were the focus of the study Tetra Tech (Support for the Development of Management Actions in the Cuyahoga Area of Concern) completed for the Ohio EPA – they are as follows: BUI #3a Degradation of Fish Populations, BUI #6 Degradation of Benthos and BUI #14a Degradation of Fish Habitat. The AOC restoration targets for fish populations and benthos are the same as the Ohio EPA biological community health indices, Aquatic Life Use designations and ecoregions. Table 11 Beneficial Use Impairments Results shows the sampling locations within Village of Independence HUC-12 indicating which BUI(s) Meet (M) or Do Not Meet (D).

Table 11: Beneficial Use Impairments Results for Village of Independence HUC-12

BUI BUI Sample Station ID & Name #3a BUI #6 #14a

ID 303700; Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at end of Oakwood Dr D D D ID 303701; Tributary to Cuyahoga river

(14.33) downstream Brecksville Rd D D M ID F01G41; Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at Stone Rd D M M No ID 302031 D M Data

ID F01S11; Cuyahoga River at Hillside M M M ID 303732; Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.63) downstream railroad tracks M D M No No No ID Cuyahoga River Data M Data No No No ID Cuyahoga River Data Data M No No No ID Cuyahoga River Data Data M ID F99Q03; Cuyahoga River at Valley View at I-480 Bridge M M M

An additional BUI assessment unit that is an impairment in this plan is BUI #10A Beach Closings (Recreational Contact). Because the Village of Independence HUC-12 contains 5-miles of Cuyahoga River mainstem, the ability to safely use or have intimate contact with the water is considered within this NPS-IS. The objective of BUI 10A is if Class A waterbodies within the AOC are on the list of non-attaining waters because of bacterial contamination (E. coli) due to the presence of CSOs this BUI will be considered restored when the bacterial impacts from CSOs are being addressed under an approved long term control plan or other legally binding document. And if Class A waterbodies within the AOC are on the list of non-attaining waters because of bacterial contamination (E. coli) due to the presence of non-point source pollution, this BUI will be considered restored when a TMDL is approved and the State and RAP can document that the level of bacterial contamination is not significantly worse than that of similar watersheds.

The guidance for the removal of the Primary Contact Recreation targets the half of the river downstream of the city of Akron. This segment of the Cuyahoga River receives CSOs from the city of Akron, which are a source of bacterial contamination between the city and Lake Erie. Currently the City of Akron has been moving forward with CSO control projects that would serve as a legally binding document. The section of the river downstream of Akron, partly in Summit County and mostly in Cuyahoga County, that is within the NEORSD service area, is covered by the NEORSD's long term control plan. While only part of the Lower Cuyahoga River TMDL is within the AOC, this approved TMDL has many implantation projects which have been completed.

It has been recommended that new monitoring take place to quantify the levels of bacterial contamination downstream of the city of Akron. Considering the ongoing efforts by the City of Akron to reduce CSO overflows and that monitoring and assessment of the TMDL implementation could happen sooner than the projected 2020 date for that work, it might be possible to see this impairment delisted in fewer than 10 years.

More recent data collected in 2018, from two (2) locations in the Village of Independence watershed, were chosen for Aquatic Life Use Monitoring data and included in the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for the Biological and Water Quality Study of Cuyahoga Tributaries and Ship Channel (2018)-Cuyahoga, Portage, Summit, and Geauga Counties: http://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/tmdl/2018_Cuyahoga_Tribs_and_Ship_Channel_QAPP.pdf.

Results from this 2018 study have not been published officially in an Ohio EPA document or water quality report to date. Sampling within the Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed was conducted during this study at the following locations: (Station ID 502020 Cuyahoga River at Old Rockside (RM 13.18) and Station ID F01G41 Tributary to Cuyahoga River (RM 14.33) at Stone Rd) were included. The results of this sampling will be included in later versions of this document.

A review of the data available for Village of Independence HUC-12 indicates the mainstem Cuyahoga River has continued to meet water quality standards (both WWH as well as BUI) at all the sampling stations except for (ID 302031) Cuyahoga River at Old Rockside RM 13.18. Of the sampled streams, Tributary @ RM 14.33 (Hemlock Creek) was found to be in partial to non-attainment in the upstream segments. Additionally, it does not meet BUI at the sampling done upstream of Brecksville Rd (city of Independence) and the downstream sampling only meets fish habitat. These results could be due the large number of HSTS (within city of Seven Hills).

Figure 11: Hemlock Creek Trail bridge crossing over dam spillway in Cuyahoga Valley National park

Figure 12: Un-named tributary south of E Sprague Rd, view looking upstream

2.3 Summary of Pollution Causes and Associated Sources The Ohio EPA’s 2018 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report has determined the cause(s) of impairment within Village of Independence HUC-12 as follows:

• Habitat Alterations • Cause Unknown • Organic Enrichment • Flow Regime Modification • Pollutants in Urban Stormwater

The major nonpoint sources of impairments that were identified in the watershed are listed as follows:

• Municipal (Urbanized high-density area) • Urban Runoff / Storm Sewers • Combined Sewer Overflows

The Lower Cuyahoga River TMDL identified the primary causes of impairment in the watershed as follows: organic enrichment, nutrient enrichment, low instream dissolved oxygen, toxicity, sedimentation and habitat degradation. Within the Village of Independence HUC-12 the TMDL describes Un-named Tributary to Cuyahoga River at RM 15.11 as recovering from past channelization and habit alteration and urban runoff as the primary cause and sources of impairment. The TMDL also indicates that this tributary meets the WWH use designation is appropriate based upon marginally good habitat quality and fair fish and macro-invertebrate communities.

The number of Home Sewage Treatment Systems present in the watershed (Cuyahoga County data 2018), per community is represented in the figure below. This figure does not reflect the City of Seven Hills’ Hemlock Creek Watershed Utility Improvement project. When completed (ETA Summer 2019) the Hemlock Creek Watershed

Utility Improvement project will remove 305 houses from HSTS. This project involves the installation of 8-inch and 10-inch gravity public sanitary sewers along with a sanitary force main and lift station. In addition, the City’s project includes replacing and installing storm sewers to help alleviate flooding issues. See Figure 13 Home Sewage Treatment Location Map for reference use only.

The TMDL also lists urbanization and suburbanization as contributing to non-attainment. Of concern are dams, regulated and private that have impacts on Lower Cuyahoga River. Adverse impacts from dams can include change in thermal and chemical water quality as well as impairing instream habitat. Within the Lower Cuyahoga River TMDL phosphorus, bacteria and heavy sediment loads are listed as impairments.

Figure 13: Village of Independence HUC-12 Home Sewage Treatment System Location Map

Figure 14: Village of Independence HUC-12, example of outfall/outlet in-stream structure

Figure 15: Low Head Dam located along Tributary at RM 16.24; photograph courtesy of NEORSD

2.4 Additional Information for Determining Critical Areas and Developing Implementation Strategies

Watershed Partners have used several studies in order to determine the critical areas within the Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed. The groundwork for the critical area was derived from the attainment and targeted delisting recommendation information from the Lower Cuyahoga Total Daily Maximum Load, Ohio EPA’s Support for the Development of Management Actions in Cuyahoga Area of Concern, January 2017 by Tetra Tech Inc. and NEORSD’s Small Cuyahoga River South West Subwatersheds Stormwater Master Plan (March 2019). Although the data in the TMDL document is older it was helpful in narrowing down known issues in the watershed.

The Ohio EPA’s Water Quality Summary 2018 Integrated Report also provided relevant data and helped identify attainment issues and associated areas that had similar attainment issues. This information was paired with local knowledge of problem areas gathered from community interactions. This helped to identify causes of impairments and potential projects.

The 2017 AOC study developed a list and prioritized proposed management actions for the Cuyahoga AOC. The lists of proposed management actions within this document are considered “living documents”. Ohio EPA plans to make revisions as data gaps are filled, new data becomes available, and as additional management actions are identified and implemented. The proposed management actions are focused on BUI #3a, #6 and #14a and are divided into two (2) categories – 1) removal or bypass of a barrier or impoundment and 2) habitat restoration and floodplain connection. The proposed management action within Village of Independence HUC- 12 is project map identification number 85. This is a habitat restoration project, which includes riverbank stabilization along the Cuyahoga River.

In the NEORSD’s Cuyahoga River South Stormwater Master Plan there are three (3) documented problem areas in the city of Independence - one (1) flooding and one (1) erosion – as well as one (1) major structure – a concrete low head dam within the northern branch of Un-named Tributary at RM 16.24. Additionally, three (3) project areas were identified as follows:

• In the city of Independence – tributary confluence with Cuyahoga River; approximately located west of Riverview Rd and south of Pleasant Valley Rd (Sewer District ID CH PA01) Cuyahoga River South Stormwater Master Plan, Small Tributaries West Subwatershed Report • In the city of Independence – tributary along the lower segment of Brookside Rd (Sewer District ID CH PA 02) Cuyahoga River South Stormwater Master Plan, Small Tributaries West Subwatershed Report • Headwaters – starting in the cities of Broadview Heights and Brecksville into the city of Independence; located approximately north of Wallings Rd, south of Brookside Rd; includes tributary crossing under Brecksville Rd as well as Kingscote Park flooding (Sewer District ID CH PA03) Cuyahoga River South Stormwater Master Plan, Small Tributaries West Subwatershed Report

Chapter 3: Critical Area Conditions & Restoration Strategies As previously mentioned, a watershed action plan or balanced growth watershed plan has not been developed for the Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed. The two (2) critical areas in the Village of Independence HUC-12 were determined based upon data provided by Ohio EPA, NEORSD and other partners and the four (4) strategies outlined in the Ohio EPA’s Nonpoint Source Management Plan Update 2013 which are:

• Urban Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Strategies: stormwater runoff and low impact development • Altered Stream and Habitat Restoration Strategies: stream restoration, riparian habitat, flow restoration • Agricultural Nonpoint Source Reduction Strategies: upland, livestock and drainage management • High Quality Waters Protection Strategies: restore and protect high quality in-stream habitat, manage invasive species

3.1 Overview of Critical Areas Critical Area 1 corresponds with the associated urban runoff from portions of the cities of Independence, Seven Hills, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights and the villages of Walton Hills and Valley View, located entirely within Cuyahoga County. This area was identified as critical due to stream monitoring results indicating that some of the direct tributaries to the Cuyahoga River are not in attainment with Ohio EPA Aquatic Life Use designations. Major pollution causes that were determined by Ohio EPA include organic enrichment and pollutants in urban stormwater. The non-point sources of these impairments include, but are not limited to, municipal (urbanized high-density area) and urban runoff/storm sewers. This area was identified based upon these factors and proposed projects (both conceptual and shovel ready) that will not only reduce urban runoff but also improve the quality of stormwater runoff.

Critical Area 2 corresponds with the riparian corridors along the eastern and western tributaries along with the mainstem of the Cuyahoga River. Located entirely within Cuyahoga County, and covering the same geographical area as Critical area 1, this area focuses on the streamside corridors and the pollution causes identified by the OEPA, including habitat alterations and flow regime modification. These alterations can accelerate the rate of erosion and degrade water quality in the stream. Please see Figure 16 for more specific Critical Area location details.

Figure 16: Village of Independence HUC-12 Critical Area(s) & Projects w/OEPA Attainment Monitoring Sites

3.2 Critical Area 1: Conditions, Goals & Objectives

3.2.1 Detailed Characterization Critical Area 1 encompasses nearly 7 square miles of the Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed which equates to approximately 4,472 acres of land. This area is targeted for urban runoff associated with residential and industrial land use and is denoted by 26-40% impervious coverage. It is dominated by developed land cover where the urban landscape captures water and feeds the Cuyahoga River at the center of the critical area within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

3.2.2 Detailed Biological Conditions The Ohio EPA has designated two (2) perennial direct tributaries within Critical Area 1 as WWH. Based upon Ohio EPA’s sampling in 2016 Tributary to Cuyahoga River at RM 14.33 is in non-attainment at the upstream monitoring station (ID 303700) based upon low IBI and QHEI scores. The monitoring station mid-way (ID 303701) indicated this tributary is in partial attainment of WWH due to a low IBI score. Based upon the results of the Biological and Habitat Beneficial Use Impairments detailed by Tetra Tech for the Ohio EPA, Tributary to Cuyahoga River at RM 14.33 did not meet the BUI restoration targets at monitoring station ID 303700 and only met BUI 14a at station ID 303701. The final monitoring station (ID F01G41) on Tributary at RM 14.33 showed it was in full attainment of the WWH Aquatic Life Use designation, however it did not meet fish population (BUI #3a) restoration target. 25

3.2.3 Detailed Causes and Associated Sources Critical Area 1: Cause and Source of Impairments Causes of Impairment: Nonpoint Sources of Impairment: Cause Unknown Municipal (Urbanized High-density) Organic Enrichment Urban Runoff/ Storm sewers Pollutants in Urban Stormwater Combined Sewer Overflows

The above listed causes of impairment and nonpoint sources are taken from the Ohio EPA’s 2018 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report for the Village of Independence HUC-12. Critical Area 1 contains the largest concentration of HSTS. All the HSTS are located within the city of Seven Hills. Once completed, the City of Seven Hills’ Hemlock Creek Watershed Utility Improvement project is projected to remove 305 houses from HSTS.

The NEORSD’s Cuyahoga River South Stormwater Master Plan also noted, in general, the streams within the study area (which includes Village of Independence HUC-12) have been degraded by urbanization including direct habitat alteration from channelizing and culverting and urban runoff creating flashy stream flows. This in combination with steep channel gradients has created active downcutting and widening of the headwater streams.

3.2.4 Outline Goals and Objectives for Critical Area #1 The overall nonpoint source restoration goals for any NPS-IS plan are to improve IBI, MIwb, ICI and QHEI scores so that the partial and/or non-attainment sites can achieve full attainment of the Aquatic Life Use designation for that respective water body. In order to reach full attainment status as well as restore all biological and habitat beneficial use impairments the following goals are proposed:

Goal 1: Achieve an IBI score of at least 40 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at end of Oakwood Dr (ID 303700): RM 2.30 • NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 20.

Goal 2: Achieve a QHEI score of at least 60 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at end of Oakwood Dr (ID 303700): RM 2.30 • NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a QHEI score of 59.5.

Goal 3: Achieve an IBI score of at least 34 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) downstream Brecksville Rd (ID 303701): RM 1.15 • NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 28.

Goal 4: Maintain a QHEI score of a minimum of 60 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) downstream Brecksville Rd (ID 303701): RM 1.15 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has a QHEI score of 75.8.

Goal 5: Maintain an ICI score of a minimum of 34 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) downstream Brecksville Rd (ID 303701): RM 1.15 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an ICI score of 36.

Goal 6: Maintain an IBI score of a minimum of 36 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at Stone Rd (ID F01G41): RM 0.10 26

• ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 36.

Goal 7: Maintain a QHEI score of a minimum of 60 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at Stone Rd (ID F01G41): RM 0.10 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has a QHEI score of 64.

Goal 8: Maintain an ICI score of at minimum of 34 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at Stone Rd (ID F01G41): RM 0.10 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an ICI score of 40.

Goal 9: Maintain an IBI score of a minimum of 40 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.63) downstream railroad tracks (ID 303732): RM 0.10 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 42.

Goal 10: Maintain a QHEI score of at least 60 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.63) downstream railroad tracks (ID 303732): RM 0.10 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 42. Goal 11: Achieve an ICI score of at least 34 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.63) downstream railroad tracks (ID 303732): RM 0.10 • NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has an ICI score of 14. Goal 12: Maintain an IBI score of a minimum of 40 at Cuyahoga River at Valley View at I-480 Bridge (ID F99Q03): RM 12 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 40 Goal 13: Maintain an QHEI score of a minimum of 60 at Cuyahoga River at Valley View at I-480 Bridge (ID F99Q03): RM 12 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an QHEI score of 68.5 Goal 14: Maintain an MIwb score of a minimum of 8.2 at Cuyahoga River at Valley View at I-480 Bridge (ID F99Q03): RM 12 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an MIwb score of 8.34 Goal 15: Maintain a QHEI score of a minimum of 60 at Cuyahoga River at Hillside (ID F01S11): RM 15.61 • ACHIEVED Site currently has a QHEI score of 77.8

Goal 16: Maintain an ICI score of a minimum of 34 at Cuyahoga River at Hillside (ID F01S11): RM 15.61 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an ICI score of 46.

In order to achieve the overall goals of restoring or maintaining full attainment to the Village of Independence HUC-12 the following objectives should be met:

Objective 1: Install Stormwater Control Measures (bioretention areas, vegetated infiltration swales, permeable pavement, green roofs, rain gardens) on 50 acres of land that are designed to reduce impervious surface and/or help infiltrate or treat stormwater prior to discharging into a stream.

Objective 2: Restore and protect 100 acres of wetlands that are hydrologically connected to surface waters effectively filtering nonpoint source pollutants such as sediments and nutrients. 27

As these objectives are implemented, water quality monitoring (at both projects related and regularly scheduled watershed monitoring) will be conducted to determine progress toward meeting the identified goals (i.e., water quality standards). These objectives will be reevaluated and modified if determined to be necessary.

Objectives may be added to make further progress towards attainment goals or altered as a system approach of multiple best management practices can accelerate the improvement of water quality conditions. As with the initial planning all future reevaluations will reference the Ohio EPA Nonpoint Source Management Plan Update (Ohio EPA, 2013), which has a complete listing of all eligible NPS management strategies to consider including the following:

• Urban Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Strategies • Altered Stream and Habitat Restoration Strategies • Nonpoint Source Reduction Strategies • High Quality Waters Protection Strategies

3.3 Critical Area 2: Conditions, Goals & Objectives

3.3.1 Detailed Characterization Critical Area 2 encompasses approximately 7.3695 linear miles of riparian stream corridor within the Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed. Within this Critical Area, there are numerous headwater and perennial tributaries including the locally named Hemlock Creek (Tributary @ RM 14.33). Critical Area 2 is located entirely within Cuyahoga County, east of and including the mainstem Cuyahoga River. The extreme eastern extent is densely populated, falling within the cities of Garfield Heights and Maple Heights and village of Walton Hills. The remainder of Critical Area 2 falls within the village of Valley View, which consists of low intensity residential development. The headwater streams within Critical Area 2 lie within steeper valleys before dropping down into the floodplain of the Cuyahoga River.

Figure 17: Example altered stream channel in Critical Area #2; City of Independence, Cuyahoga County

Figure 18: Example of altered stream channel Critical Area #2; Village of Valley View, Cuyahoga County

3.3.2 Detailed Biological Conditions The headwaters start out in dense residential development within steep ravines in the city of Seven Hills. Downstream is Interstate 77 and further residential development were the terrain lessens before dropping down into the Cuyahoga River floodplain. Northern segments flow through the City of Independence’s municipal complex as well as Independence Local School District facilities. Southern segments flow through predominantly residential development with a minor amount of commercial and industrial land use along Pleasant Valley Road. Some downstream segments as well as the mainstream Cuyahoga River are located within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Tributary to Cuyahoga River at RM 14.63 is in partial attainment of its WWH Aquatic Life Use designation based upon a low ICI score. Data also indicates this Tributary meets the restoration targets for which there is data available.

The Cuyahoga River mainstem meets the Ohio EPA’s WWH Aquatic Life Use designation within Critical Area 2 based upon Ohio EPA sampling in 2015. Past Ohio EPA samplings have indicated this stretch of mainstream has been meeting WWH standards at this monitoring point since 1999-2000. The Ohio EPA’s Support for the Development of Management Actions in the Cuyahoga Area of Concern study completed by Tetra Tech indicates this monitoring station meets all three (3) BUI restoration targets. A breakdown of the data for the entire Village of Independence HUC-12 watershed can be found in Tables 5 and 6 in Chapter 2, Section 2 of this report.

3.3.3 Detailed Causes and Associated Sources Critical Area 2: Cause and Source of Impairments Causes of Impairment: Sources of Impairment: Habitat Alterations Municipal (Urbanized High-density) Cause Unknown Urban Runoff/ Storm sewers Organic Enrichment Flow Regime Modification Two (2) known instream barriers to fish passage have been identified in this Critical Area. One (1) of which was identified in the NEORSD’s Cuyahoga River South Stormwater Master Plan and identified as Major Structure CH00159 (low head dam).

The above listed causes of impairment and nonpoint sources are taken from the Ohio EPA’s 2018 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report for the Village of Independence HUC-12. Although the aquatic life use monitoring site is currently in attainment, its status is threatened by increased impervious areas and by non-point source pollution in this highly urbanized area.

3.3.4 Outline Goals and Objectives for Critical Area #2 The overall nonpoint source restoration goals for any NPS-IS plan are to maintain and improve IBI, MIwb, ICI and QHEI scores so that the partial and/or non-attainment sites can achieve full attainment of the Aquatic Life Use designation for that respective water body. In order to maintain full attainment status as well as restore all biological and habitat beneficial use impairments the following goals are proposed:

Goal 1: Achieve an IBI score of at least 40 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at end of Oakwood Dr (ID 303700): RM 2.30 • NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 20.

Goal 2: Achieve a QHEI score of at least 60 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at end of Oakwood Dr (ID 303700): RM 2.30 • NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has a QHEI score of 59.5.

Goal 3: Achieve an IBI score of at least 34 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) downstream Brecksville Rd (ID 303701): RM 1.15 • NOT ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 28.

Goal 4: Maintain a QHEI score of a minimum of 60 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) downstream Brecksville Rd (ID 303701): RM 1.15 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has a QHEI score of 75.8.

Goal 5: Maintain an ICI score of a minimum of 34 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) downstream Brecksville Rd (ID 303701): RM 1.15 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an ICI score of 36.

Goal 6: Maintain an IBI score of a minimum of 36 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at Stone Rd (ID F01G41): RM 0.10 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 36.

Goal 7: Maintain a QHEI score of a minimum of 60 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at Stone Rd (ID F01G41): RM 0.10 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has a QHEI score of 64.

Goal 8: Maintain an ICI score of at minimum of 34 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.33) at Stone Rd (ID F01G41): RM 0.10 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an ICI score of 40.

Goal 9: Maintain an IBI score of a minimum of 40 at Tributary to Cuyahoga River (14.63) downstream railroad tracks (ID 303732): RM 0.10 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an IBI score of 42.

• ACHIEVED Site currently has a QHEI score of 77.8

Goal 16: Maintain an ICI score of a minimum of 34 at Cuyahoga River at Hillside (ID F01S11): RM 15.61 • ACHIEVED: Site currently has an ICI score of 46. In order to achieve the overall goal of maintaining full attainment in the Village of Independence HUC-12 the following objectives should be met:

Objective 1: Restore and/or protect 10000 linear feet of instream habitat in tributaries to the Cuyahoga River in order to control erosion and reduce the loading of sediment, nutrients and organics within the watershed improving water quality and decreasing flows in streams.

Objective 2: Remove at least 1 low-head dam or stream modification.

Objective 3: Reconstruct 15000 linear feet of altered stream channels by utilizing natural channel design and bio-engineering stream bank stabilization techniques to help create habitat and floodplain connectivity to support aquatic life and healthy riparian corridors.

• Urban Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Strategies • Altered Stream and Habitat Restoration Strategies • Nonpoint Source Reduction Strategies • High Quality Waters Protection Strategies Chapter 4: Projects and Implementation Strategy

4.1 Projects and Implementation Strategy Overview Below are the projects proposed to remove the impairments to the Village of Independence HUC-12 as a result of the identified causes and associated sources of nonpoint source pollution. Because the attainment status is based on biological conditions, it will be necessary to periodically re-evaluate the status of the critical areas to determine if the implemented projects are enough to achieve restoration. Time is an important factor to consider when measuring project success and overall status. Biological systems in some cases can show positive or negative response in a reasonable time frame. But others may take longer to show recovery. There may also be reasons other than nonpoint source pollution for the impairment. Those issues well 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 project described in the Overview Table below have been prioritized using the following three step prioritization method:

Priority 1: Project(s) that specifically address one (1) or more of the listed objectives for a Critical Area. 32

Priority 2: Project(s) where there is landowner willing to engage in the project that is designed to address the causes and sources of impairment and/or where there is an expectation that such potential projects will improve water quality in the Village of Independence HUC-12.

Priority 3: Input from the public on water quality issues and/or project ideas gathered from a permanent online survey and/or periodic stakeholder meetings will be evaluated for correlation between known causes and sources and potential for inclusion in the NPS-IS.

4.2 Critical Area 1: Overview Table A total of one (1) project summary sheet for short-term projects (or those seeking upcoming funding) have been included in for the NPS-IS Plan. Only projects with complete Project Summary Sheets within an approved NPS-IS plan will be eligible for state and federal NPS program funding.

Project Overview Table for Village of Independence HUC-12 (04110002 0602) – Critical Area #1 Urban Runoff

Lead Estimated Potential/Actual Funding Project Project Title Time Frame Goal Objective Organization Cost Source # (Criteria g) (Criteria f) (Criteria d) (Criteria d) (Criteria d)

Urban Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Strategies Stormwater Management & Green Cleveland 319; Local/NEORSD Grant 15,16 1 1 Short $197,000 Infrastructure at Dunham Park Metroparks Funding (if eligible)

High Quality Waters Protection Strategies None Identified at this time

4.3 Critical Area 2: Overview Table Project Summary Sheets for short-term projects (or those seeking upcoming funding) have been included in this NPS-IS Plan. Only projects with complete Project Summary Sheets within an approved NPS-IS plan will be eligible for state and federal NPS program funding.

Project Overview Table for Village of Independence HUC-12 (04110002 0602) – Critical Area #2 Riparian Corridors

Lead Estimated Potential/Actual Funding Project Title Time Frame Goal Objective Project # Organization Cost Source (Criteria g) (Criteria f) (Criteria d) (Criteria d) (Criteria d)

Altered Stream and Habitat Restoration Strategies 1 Riverview Rd and Brookside Rd NEORSD Medium $5,053,000 GLSNRP, WRRSP, GLRI (NEORSD CHPA01)

2 Lower Brookside Stream NEORSD Medium $3,296,000 GLSNRP, WRRSP, GLRI Restoration (NEORSD CHPA02)

3 Sprague Rd Tributary (NEORSD NEORSD Medium $2,280,000 GLSNRP, WRRSP, GLRI CHPA03) Cuyahoga Riverbank Stabilization 4 (AOC Project #85; Habitat CVNP Medium $1,125,000 GLSNRP, WRRSP, GLRI Restoration and Floodplain Reconnection) High Quality Waters Protection Strategies

None Identified at this time

4.4 Project Summary Sheet This summary sheet provides 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 sheet(s) will be updated. Any new summary sheets created will be submitted to the state of Ohio for funding eligibility verification (i.e., all nine elements are included).

Nine Information Element Explanation needed Criteria n/a Title Stormwater Management & Green Infrastructure at Dunham Park criteria d Project Lead Project Lead: Cleveland Metroparks Organization & Partner: Mill Creek Watershed Partnership/West Creek Conservancy Partners criteria c HUC-12 and 04110002 06 02 Critical Area Critical Area #1 criteria c Location of Cleveland Metroparks Dunham Park, City of Maple Heights (see Appendix A for Project existing conditions & proposed improvements) n/a Which strategy is being addressed Nonpoint Source Reduction Strategies by this project? criteria f Time Frame Short (1-3 years) criteria g Short Cleveland Metroparks will remove pavement (reduce two-lane entrance to one Description lane and an all-purpose trail), add vegetated infiltration swales (areas) and a detention pond along the entrance drive to Dunham Park, which will capture and retain water from a 100-year flood event and provide first flush water quality treatment. criteria g Project Narrative Dunham Park is in the Village of Independence-Cuyahoga River sub-watershed, which includes small tributaries to the Cuyahoga River and located in the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern. These green infrastructure improvements will aid in the delisting of impairments lo the Cuyahoga River. Dunham Park is in the City of Maple Heights, which is heavily developed and covered by impervious surfaces, exacerbating the effects of rain events on the stormwater conveyance system. criteria d Estimated Total $197,000 which includes pavement removal, excavation and installation of cost green infrastructure components, soil backfill and native plantings. criteria d Possible Funding Ohio EPA 319(h); NEORSD Green Infrastructure Grant (if eligible) Source criteria a Identified Causes Causes of impairment: and Sources • Habitat Alterations • Cause Unknown • Organic Enrichment • Flow Regime Modification • Pollutants in Urban Stormwater Sources of impairment: • Municipal (Urbanized High-density) • Urban Runoff/ Storm sewers • Combined Sewer Overflows

36 criteria Part 1: How Goal 1: Maintain a QHEI score of a minimum of 60 at Cuyahoga River at Hillside b & h much (ID F01S11): RM 15.61 improvement is needed to Goal 2: Maintain an ICI score of a minimum of 34 at Cuyahoga River at Hillside remove the NPS (ID F01S11): RM 15.61 impairment for the whole Objective 4: Implement stormwater control measures in the Critical Area Critical Area? communities, including green infrastructure retrofits which will reduce polluted runoff from impervious surfaces, including nutrients, temperature and sediment, and decrease flows in streams.

• Treat stormwater from 5 impermeable acres (217, 800 square feet) using green infrastructure techniques. Part 2: How This project flows into the Small Tributaries to the Cuyahoga River East. With much of the the implementation of objective 4 we believe that achieving goals 1 and 2 can needed be done. Although there is recognition that there is lag time associated with improvement for non-point source related projects and measured stream response, it is the whole expected that this project will help maintain or improve QHEI and ICI scores at Critical Area is RM 15.61. estimated to be accomplished by • Removal of 35,700 sf (0.82 acres) of the 5 acres of impervious surface of this project? objective 4 will be met or 16%

• Adding 42,000 sf (0.96 acres) of green infrastructure/SCMs of the 5 acres of treatable area of objective 4 will be met or 19.2%

Part 3: Load Based on the U.S. EPA Region 5 model, the restoration will remove an Reduced? estimated… Nitrogen: Phosphorus: Sediment: Need assistance from OEPA on the load reduction calculations. Removing 0.82 acres of impervious surface and adding 0.96 acres of green infrastructure. criteria i How will the Cleveland Metroparks will repeat QHEI and ICI assessments and explore IBI effectiveness of water quality monitoring. Park District staff will track stormwater events in the this project in area surrounding the project site. addressing the NPS impairment be measured? criteria e Information and Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Volunteer Program will assist with Education maintenance and/or monitoring activities. The project will be presented at a Cleveland Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners meeting. Cleveland Metroparks and West Creek Conservancy regularly utilize social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to promote newsworthy items and events. Cleveland Metroparks will create a press release highlighting the project.

Appendix A

Cleveland Metroparks Dunham Park (Bedford Reservation) Proposed Improvements

Dashed line indicates existing surfaces to be removed.

Vegetated Swale Bioswale

Reduce footprint of existing parking lot.

Naturalize area around parking surfaces.

Vegetated Swale and Detention Pond

Recon gure existing single lane drive to All Purpose Trail

Widen existing single lane drive to allow for two way tra c ow

Convert turf median into Bioswale

Cleveland Metroparks to close on property Fall 2019

Remove existing driveway apron

Existing Conditions Proposed Improvements Works Cited 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