Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District Leading Conservation in the Urban Landscape

ON THE LAND FALL 2018

Don’t Drip and Drive - #lakeeriestartshere Your car contains fluids that allow Did you ever wonder where the it to function properly, however soapy water goes when you wash your when a car isn’t maintained, these car in the driveway? fluids may leak, and are a problem for • Water drains off impervious the environment. When it rains the (hard) surfaces into the road, then fluids from your car wash into local into the storm drain and into rivers and that drain to streams without any treatment. Erie. Fix car leaks to keep oil • Car washing facilities are required Many of us get our drinking to dispose of their used, polluted water from and local and and gas from entering water responsibly. migrating wildlife also rely on a our storm drains • If you must wash at home, healthy Lake Erie system for survival. and flowing into our washing your car in the lawn Fixing a small leak now may prevent allows water to be absorbed and big car repair bills in the future and it streams, rivers, and filtered before it goes to your will help keep our waterways clean. Lake Erie! local . : Lights Out for Birds Have you heard about Cleveland City of Cleveland leaders and Lights Out? It is part of a national stakeholders have met to discuss the movement, grounded in science movement in more detail. Currently, and tied into energy conservation the Cleveland Museum of Natural with respect to nature. The idea is to History and Lake Erie Nature and photo of the Cleveland skyline by engage building owners to turn off Science Center, among others, are flickr/Erik Drost building lights out during spring and training volunteers to walk the fall migration, but not in areas that downtown streets in the morning to would compromise safety. find dead or damaged birds. Every spring and fall, millions of For more information or to birds migrate through Cleveland on consider assisting with the volunteer their way to or from their breeding monitoring program, visit the Advocate and implement best management grounds. Many birds migrate at website. practices for conservation of land and aquatic night, and lights on tall buildings or resources in a developed environment through aimed at the sky can disorient them education, stewardship and technical assistance and draws them into the buildings. ohiolightsout.org/cities/ An equal opportunity employer and provider. Many perish and others are severely lights-out-cleveland www.cuyahogaswcd.org hurt.

On the Land | Fall 2018 1 www.cuyahogaswcd.org EUCLID CREEK WATERSHED NEWS Perils of Plastic Friends of Euclid Creek (FOEC) efforts and the latest on changes to welcomed Dr. Sherri Mason from our county recycling program. The State University of at night concluded with a question and Fredonia to present her recent answer session as well as ideas about research on plastic pollution in the how we can address this threat by Great and its tributaries as well making simple changes in our daily as plastic in our tap water, bottled lives, like refusing a straw or bringing water, beer and sea salt on August reusable bags to the grocery store. 14th at Beachwood Community You can listen, watch, or read Dr. Sherri Mason chats with attendees after her Center. The event also featured Dr. about several other presentations talk.(above) A packed house at the event. (below) Cathi Lehn from Cleveland Office Dr. Mason made throughout of Sustainability, Director Diane Cleveland on Aug. 14th on NPR Bickett from Cuyahoga Solid Waste (Sound of Ideas), City Club, and District, and Cuyahoga County Cleveland.com. Look for a video of our Councilwoman Sunny Simon to program coming soon on our website: talk about local plastic reduction www.euclidcreekwatershed.org. We’d like to thank our sponsors and the people who made the event possible. Beachwood Community Center for the venue, Zagara’s catering for the food and desserts, Green Paper Products in Highland Heights for the compostable utensils, and Rust Belt Riders for helping to make this a zero-waste event. Thanks to Dr. Cathi Lehn, Ken Messinger-Rapport, FOEC President, and Chris Vild, FOEC Vice President for their hard work on this event.

ROCKY RIVER WATERSHED NEWS Cuyahoga County is the most conditions, especially in headwater control measure that is installed highly urbanized county in the state stream systems. to treat runoff from a previously of , with nearly 90% of the land To address these legacy impervious constructed , area considered developed. The surfaces, Cuyahoga SWCD was or a modification to an existing vast majority of this development awarded an Ohio Department control measure to occurred before any state or local of Natural Resources Coastal improve its effectiveness. The regulations requiring stormwater Management Assistance Grant to subwatersheds targeted by this management were in place, inventory and evaluate potential project, Abram, Baldwin and Coe leading to widespread degraded stormwater retrofit project sites. A Creeks and the Lower East Branch water quality and stream habitat stormwater retrofit is a stormwater continued on Page 6

On the Land | Fall 2018 2 www.cuyahogaswcd.org CUYAHOGA SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT’S 69TH ANNUAL MEETING & EUCLID CREEK WATERSHED SUMMIT

On the Land | Fall 2018 3 www.cuyahogaswcd.org MEET THE CANDIDATES

CHRISTINE BALK JEFFREY DUKE CAROLINE KELEMEN Christine is a technical advisor for Jeff is the GIS (Geographic Information Growing up playing in Porter Creek the Davey Tree Expert Company Systems) Services Manager for the gave me an early appreciation for in Kent, Ohio. She specializes in Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer water resources in Cuyahoga County. Plant Pathology. Christine’s love for District where he has worked since Distraught to discover the abuse of the environment started at a young 1993. Jeff has a BS in Civil & these resources, I embarked on 20 years age, which led her to pursue an Environmental Engineering from the of environmental advocacy. In 2015, undergraduate degree in biology at St. University of Cincinnati and a MS I graduated from Purdue University Lawrence University. After graduating in Civil Engineering-Water Resources with the nation’s top rated Agricultural from St. Lawrence, Christine moved from Cleveland State University. He Engineering degree and a concentration to Alaska for a 6 month internship is a registered Professional Engineer in Environmental and Natural with The Chicago Botanical Gardens in the State of Ohio and a certified Resources Engineering. Returning and BLM. This internship involved GIS Professional. He also serves on to Cleveland, I began working at collecting native plant seeds around the Berea City School District School the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer Alaska for restoration projects. This Board. He has a passion for GIS and District’s Southerly plant. I relished project was crucial due to all of the maps – as a visual gateway – to the the opportunity to investigate the mining and drilling done there. After information and tools needed to allow largest facility protecting our Lake Alaska, Christine went to graduate stakeholders better perform business and map the area. Simultaneously, I school at The Ohio State University functions. His experience in planning, began working with the Cleveland for plant pathology. She would project delivery and technical support Metropark’s Watershed Volunteer help in the community by teaching has provided him the background to Program. Tracking erosion in the elementary students about plants and be able to be proactive in providing parks, maintaining and implementing their importance in the world. After geospatial and data management tools storm water management features and starting with Davey out of graduate to internal and external stakeholders. planting native plants was so exciting school Christine has given many Key project successes include his for me that in 2016, I was recognized talks at conferences around the US organization’s Enterprise GIS, for being the most active volunteer. and continues to spread awareness revamping customer service delivery an Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2017, on the importance of trees, soil, inquiry tracking system and supporting invigorated my passion for nature water, and our environment. We the implementation of the District’s and desire to protect it. Since May must be informed about all factors regional stormwater management 2018, as a Hydrologist Technician I affecting our environment in order to program. Jeff has collaborated with have managed a joint project between save it. Christine is running for this various agencies in developing illicit NEORSD, the position because she not only has the discharge tracking and elimination and Cuyahoga Soil & Water knowledge about what needs to be tools for the NPDES Phase II Conservation District to assess erosion done, but also the drive and moral Stormwater Permit Program and has tracking protocols in the Cleveland compass to do what is right. Christine worked with various community and area. I anticipate bringing my new has volunteered to provide community county agencies to enhance stormwater ideas, local knowledge and passion to programs regarding trees and is infrastructure datasets and tools to work for the Board of Directors. interested in using her skills to assist in support many business activities. the implementation of the Cuyahoga SWCD’s mission. On the Land | Fall 2018 4 www.cuyahogaswcd.org MEET THE CANDIDATES SUPERVISOR ELECTION VOTING In accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code, an election of two supervisors of Cuyahoga SWCD will be held. Residents or landowners, firms and corporations that own land or occupy land in Cuyahoga County and are at least 18 years of age, may run for a supervisor. A non-resident landowner, firm or corporation must provide an affidavit of eligibility, which includes designation of a voting representative, prior to casting a ballot.

Official voting begins on September 27, 2018. There are three ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot: RUTH SKULY • At the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District office weekdays Dr. Skuly is completing her sixth term from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and until 3:00 p.m. on October 18; on the Board. Currently the chair, she • By absentee ballot. Request an “Absentee Request Form” from the has served as treasurer and vice chair. Cuyahoga SWCD office or on our website at www.cuyahogaswcd.org. She has helped with community Ballots will be mailed beginning September 27; outreach and spear-headed the • At the annual meeting on October 18, from 4:30 – 6:15 development of the District’s first p.m. at the Euclid Lakefront Community Center, 1 Bliss Strategic Plan, which has evolved Lane, Euclid (north of Lakeshore Blvd at East 222 street). and been the guiding principle of the

District since 2002. Completing For more information, call 216-524-6580, ext. 1000. her 15th year as a director of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, she helps direct the soil and water conservation efforts across the state. Ruth is retired from the Cleveland Municipal School District where she taught biology and environmental science before becoming an administrator. As such, she headed a school for court- committed juvenile delinquents, Skuly cont. developed student and teacher implemented many conservation training programs and worked with practices. Her volunteer interests schools to write and achieve their include the Cleveland Hiking Club, school improvement plans. She the Nature Conservancy, the Nature wrote and was granted numerous Center at Shaker Lakes and the proposals to bring state and federal Sustainable Heights Network. She dollars to the school district. Ruth is interested in the federal Farm Advocate and implement earned biology degrees from St. Bill and bringing federal cost share best management practices for Xavier College (Chicago) and dollars to Cuyahoga County, and has conservation of land and aquatic Cleveland State University and has a taken advantage of training offered resources in a developed environment Ph.D. in Educational Administration by the Ohio Department of Natural through education, stewardship and from Kent State University. Ruth Resources and the EPA in storm technical assistance and her husband, Leo Deininger, water management, brownfield An equal opportunity employer reside in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. redevelopment and forestry, all of and provider. They own and manage a tree farm in which are relevant to helping lead the www.cuyahogaswcd.org Coshocton County where they have District.

On the Land | Fall 2018 5 www.cuyahogaswcd.org I pledge allegiance....to the environment Now you can pledge allegiance to the environment by signing one or both of our pledges! And, you’ll receive a free gift! STOW IT, DON’T THROW IT USE THE RIGHT S.A.L.T. I pledge to... (Stuff, Amount Location, Time) • keep all garbage in my vehicle or watercraft and not throw any items, however small, out I pledge to... my windows or into a waterway. My passengers • only use rock salt (sodium chloride) above will do the same. 15 degrees F. • properly dispose of and/or recycle all collected • spread only enough salt to do the job - one garbage at a later time. 12 ounce coffee mug full of salt is enough to • keep items secured in and on my vehicle effectively de-ice about 10 sidewalk squares. or watercraft including garbage and any • spread salt only on the surfaces that need to be transported materials. de-iced, and never on the lawn, at the base of • fix any vehicle or watercraft leaks in a timely a tree or right next to a stream or storm drain! manner as to not pollute the environment • only apply salt right before the snow falls or with leaking fluids. right after snow is removed from my driveway • extinguish cigarettes/cigars in an ashtray of my or sidewalk and never when rain is in the car/boat and not throw them out my windows or forecast. into a waterway. My passengers will do the same. This gift doubles as a (if applicable) coffee mug and a unit of measurement. One Keep your car garbage in heaping coffee mug of this handy litter bag to salt covers 250 sq. feet or throw away later! 10 sidewalk squares!

Visit our website and take one or both of the pledges www.cuyahogaswcd.org - click on programs - stormwater education We will send you a follow up reminder and a free gift (while supplies last - bag will be sent, mug will be available for pick up) Thank you for your commitment to our environment!

Rocky River cont. in the Rocky River watershed are As a result of this inventory, four cases demonstration potential. Also, archetypical Northeast Ohio urban sites were selected for concept plan one site was selected in each of the subwatersheds. development. These included two target subwatersheds. The concept Through the retrofit inventorypublic park sites without existing plans will be utilized when working process, characteristics of individual stormwater control measures, with the landowners and seeking sites such as amount of impervious and two existing detention basins funding to implement the projects, surface, area available for a retrofit, that can be modified to improve and each project will be included in site ownership and the presence or stormwater treatment. These sites the watershed management plan for absence of an existing stormwater were selected based on feasibility, its respective subwatershed. control measure are evaluated. willingness of owners, and in some

On the Land | Fall 2018 6 www.cuyahogaswcd.org Technical Assistance Resources Cuyahoga SWCD provides technical assistance to landowners within Cuyahoga County as part of our countywide mission. When a property owner contacts Cuyahoga SWCD staff listen to the concern and work with the property owner to fully understand the situation. Part of our research includes consulting a myriad of resources that provide valuable context. The following is a list of the various resources we often consult and a brief description of what those resources provide.

• Web Soil Survey: websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov This is a map based USDA website that allows users to zero in on their address. Once the address is entered the user can explore the databases to investigate various properties of soil such as building development suitability, soil health, vegetation productivity, and much more. • Official Soil Series Descriptions (OSDs): soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/osdname.aspx Using information gained from the Web Soil Survey a user can type in the code for the various soil types and get an extensive description about that specific soil type. Descriptions often include soil composition (i.e. silt, sand, or clay), estimated depth to water table, estimated depth to a restrictive layer (i.e. bedrock), drainage characteristics, typical land use type. • Archived Soil Survey Manuscripts: www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/ohio/ cuyahogaOH1980/cuyahogaOH1980.pdf In Cuyahoga County much of the information related to official soil surveys is available online. It is useful though to consult the older paper copies of the county soil survey. Given that it has been nearly 40 years since a paper copy of the Cuyahoga Soil survey has been published the best options is to view a scanned copy online. The narrative sections related to sub-surface drainage and suitability for basements is always helpful. • Google Earth: www.google.com/earth/ Google Earth is free software which is best known for displaying current aerial photography. Other features on Google Earth include various measuring tools, select archival imagery dating back to 1994, and a multitude of map layers. • Historic Aerial Photography: cplorg.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4014coll24/search If Google Earth does not provide sufficient archival aerial images the has an extensive catalog of high resolution digital scans of historic aerial photographs. These photographs date back to 1951 and can provide insight into former buildings, changing water courses, and historic land uses. • Stream Stats: water.usgs.gov/osw/streamstats/ This United States Geological Survey map based website allows users to search a geographic area and identify nearby streams and rivers. The site includes a variety of measuring tools to help categorize streams. Additionally, it identifies where stream gages are installed and provides a link to the data collected on those streams. • Tree Planting Guides: www.urbantree.org/planting.shtml The Urban Tree Foundation does not provide specific information about a geographic area. Instead it provides guidelines and best practices for planting trees in an urban environment. Trees offer a variety of benefits related to erosion control, stormwater detention, and water uptake (i.e. drainage issues). Planting them correctly the first time and taking care of them will ensure they thrive and provide all the benefits described. • Planting Guide: www.cuyahogaswcd.org/files/assets/cmplandscapingforbiodiversity2017.pdf The Cleveland Metroparks publication “Landscaping for Biodiversity with Ohio Native Plants is a compendium of native plants in Ohio. This resource is delineated by plant height, bloom color, sun/shade tolerance, soil moisture tolerance, plant type, etc. Similar to the tree planting guide, researching and choosing appropriate plants will ensure that selected plants perform as intended.

By familiarizing yourself with these resources, property owners can gain a better understanding of their surrounding environment and how to best interact with it. Questions, contact Brent Eysenbach at 216/524-6580, ext. 1011 or [email protected] On the Land | Fall 2018 7 www.cuyahogaswcd.org CUYAHOGA SOIL & WATER Printed on CONSERVATION DISTRICT Nonprofit Org. US Postage 3311 Perkins Avenue, Suite 100 Cleveland, OH 44114 PAID Cleveland, OH Phone 216.524.6580 Recycled Paper Permit No. 3666 www.cuyahogaswcd.org

BACK TO SCHOOL It’s time again to think about all the under-represented students. great – fun and learning were had by great programs and resources we offer We are looking for sponsors for all. to Cuyahoga County students. We a Cuyahoga County Envirothon The theme for the 2019 Poster encourage teachers and home school fund that will be used to reimburse contest will be “Life in the Soil: Dig parents to incorporate them in to Cuyahoga County schools for Deeper”. The annual poster contest is their school schedule. transportation and substitute teacher a great way for teachers to take a multi Our biggest program, by far, is the costs so their students can attend disciplinary approach to teaching Envirothon, an environmental science Envirothon related programs and about natural resource topics. More competition for students in grades Envirothon competitions. Please information will be available soon. 9-12. Each school or homeschool contact us if you would like to donate Although school visits are limited, group can register up to 2 teams of 5 to this fund. educators can borrow models and students in the competition. We have Our summer educator workshops lesson plans. Home school groups can 4 training kits that can be borrowed were a great success and we’ll have also make arrangements for student by Cuyahoga County schools. We more to come in 2019. Educators projects and programs. also have a Division of Wildlife practiced using hands on curriculum, “skins and skulls kit” available for completed service projects, toured Contact Jacki Zevenbergen loan through our office. We would school sites and field trip venues and for more information like to thank Stearn’s Homestead, learned about many different types on stormwater the Cuyahoga Farm Bureau, Western of resources they could use for their education programs at Reserve Land Conservancy and the students. 216/524-6580, ext. 1006 or National Youth and Environmental Our district sent 7 students to Camp [email protected] Outdoor Challenge for their Canopy this summer. The students’ support of Envirothon training for reviews for this opportunity were

On the Land | Fall 2018 8 www.cuyahogaswcd.org