Hamilton County Environmental Action Commission May 2017 State of the Environment in Hamilton

County, Beginning with the first appearance of people in Hamilton County about 15,000 years ago, the growth of the county’s human population has caused significant modifications in the local ecosystem. This report presents the current state of the county’s environment.

Stream Quality Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater (MSD) is recognized as a steward of the community, protecting public health and the environment and providing sustainable water reclamation and watershed management. MSD operates seven permitted wastewater treatment facilities located throughout the county that remove pollutants from the wastewater and return highly treated effluent to receiving streams. MSD reports on its operations to Ohio EPA and the public routinely. In recent years, MSD began conducting a multi-year environmental study to assess the quality of local waterways (msdgc.org/initiatives/water_quality/index.html). MSD has surveyed each of the major streams in Hamilton County: Mill Creek in 2011; Little Miami River in 2012; Great Miami River in 2013; and in 2014. The Mill Creek was surveyed in 2016 and the resulting data will be reported in 2017. In Ohio, there are established metrics to determine the health of a stream by collecting biological, chemical and physical data and comparing it to water quality goals in the Ohio Water Quality Standards and to previous studies. 1) One assessment is the stream’s ability to sustain aquatic life. The key indicator of overall condition in terms of aquatic life is the status of the attainment of recommended and existing aquatic life use designations based on attainment of the Ohio biological criteria. 2) A second assessment is the stream’s ability to be used for recreational use. During the recreation season (May 1 to October 31), Ohio streams or segments of streams are assigned a Recreational Use designation that can help determine whether the water is safe for recreation based on a count of microbial pathogens (for example, bacteria). Bacterial water quality standards have been established to determine when the concentration of fecal bacteria in water is too high and causes an unacceptably high health risk to humans who recreate in the waters. Aquatic Life Status A stream site is deemed impaired if it does not support the fish and macroinvertebrate community that would be expected to exist if the waterway were in a healthy condition. Causes for impaired stream sites are numerous and not attributed to one entity. Causes of impairment include habitat alterations that have modified channels and riparian area, sedimentation from construction sites, channel erosion and road runoff, low dissolved oxygen and high chemical levels. The sources of these problems include altered hydrology, direct or indirect discharges, sewage inflow or overflows and urban and farm storm water runoff. The MSD investigation of Hamilton County streams has not identified any impaired sites among the 49 locations sampled on the Ohio River, however 22 of the 45 sites on the tributaries to the Ohio River are impaired. The remaining waterways in Hamilton County have some impairment as follows: seven of 78 sites on the Great Miami River and its tributaries, 31 of 93 sites on the Little Miami River and its tributaries, and 46 of 92 sites on the Mill Creek and its tributaries. Comparing the most recent results against previous studies provides insight regarding improvement or degradation of streams. The 2011 study shows that the Mill Creek is a recovering system; most sites were rated as poor or very poor as compared to an Ohio EPA study performed in 1992 but were rated as fair to marginally good in 2011. The 2012 study of the Little Miami River shows an overall decline in biological condition in the main stem as compared to the 2007 Ohio EPA study. Attainment status also showed a marked decline in comparison to the 2007 results when all but the most downstream sites were in full attainment of Exceptional Warm Water Habitat (WWH). The 2013 study of the Great Miami River indicates an overall improvement in biological condition as compared to the Ohio EPA studies conducted in the 1980s. Nearly the entire lower portion of the Great Miami River is now in full attainment of WWH. The 2014 Ohio River Study

epa.ohio.gov • 50 W. Town St., Ste. 700 • P.O. Box 1049 • Columbus, OH 43216-1049 • (614) 644-3020 • (614) 644-2737 (fax) State of the Environment in Hamilton County, Ohio demonstrated that, based on the Ohio River Fish Index (ORFIn), the condition of the Ohio River in the Markland pool exceeded the baseline expectations derived by ORSANCO for the five reach habitat types at all 49 sites (100 percent). From a narrative perspective, conditions within the Markland pool ranged from fair (the minimum expectation) to good and excellent. Recreational Use Status During the recreation season (May 1 to October 31), Ohio streams or segments of streams are assigned a Recreational Use designation that can help determine whether the water is safe for recreation based on a count of microbial pathogens (for example, bacteria). Bacterial water quality standards have been established to determine when the concentration of fecal bacteria in water is too high and causes an unacceptably high health risk to humans who recreate in the waters. One of the factors that MSD looks for in its stream samples is the number of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium that normally occurs in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals. The occurrence of E. coli in a stream sample indicates the presence of human and/or animal feces in the watercourse. Fecal matter in a stream may harbor dangerous microorganisms in addition to the usually benign E. coli, including viruses and bacteria that cause skin rashes, upset stomach, diarrhea, hepatitis and eye, ear and nose infections. Therefore, when a series of water samples from a stream sampling site contain a large number of E. coli, people are advised to avoid contact with the water in that stream segment. The MSD study of Hamilton County streams has found high populations of E. coli (using the 30-day geometric mean criterion) at two of 49 sites on the Ohio River and tributaries, 48 of 66 sites on the Great Miami River and tributaries, 53 of 89 sites on the Little Miami River and tributaries, and 44 of 45 sites on the Mill Creek and tributaries. These results are largely due to the fecal matter entering the watercourses from sewer overflows and leaks, home septic systems, urban runoff, domestic animals and wildlife. Anticipated Improvements To eliminate or greatly reduce the inflow of sewage into streams, the MSD embarked on a major public works project in 2009 — known as Project Groundwork (projectgroundwork.org) — that will stretch over many decades and cost at least $3.1 billion in 2006 dollars. Because sewage is one primary contaminant in the waterways, the MSD system-improvement program currently underway will reduce the number of impaired stream sites in the county through a comprehensive Capital Improvement Program and federally mandated Consent Decree. Air Quality and Solid Waste Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services works to protect, preserve and enhance the environmental quality of the county. The Department includes the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency and the Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District. Air Quality The Clean Air Act requires U.S. EPA to set national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for pollutants that, at certain levels, are considered harmful to public health and the environment. These criteria pollutants include: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone and sulfur dioxide. U.S. EPA is required to review air quality standards every five years to determine if they are still protective of human health and the environment. To determine compliance with the NAAQS, Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services – Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency (Agency) has a network of 59 air monitors at 18 sites in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties. There is no question that air quality in the Cincinnati area has significantly improved over the past 20 years as documented in Figure 1. Based on this data, it is anticipated that air quality will continue to improve in the future. However, every five years, U.S. EPA reviews the standards and makes recommendations on whether to make the standard more stringent. In some cases, new data show health effects at lower levels leading to a lower level of the NAAQS. So, while air quality is improving, the Cincinnati area may not always be in attainment with each of the NAAQS.

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Figure 1: Air Pollution Reduction from 1990 to 2014 120%

100%

80%

2014 Nat'l 60% 2014 SW Ohio 40%

20%

0% Ozone PM10 Lead NO2 CO SO2

Solid Waste The Ohio legislature passed House Bill 592 in 1988. This legislation established a comprehensive planning and regulatory process to ensure that adequate and environmentally sound solid waste management capacity is available to manage the waste Ohio generates. To preserve landfill capacity and recognize the value in waste materials, House Bill 592 also initiated requirements to reduce Ohio’s generation of waste and increase the recycling efforts. In Hamilton County, solid waste planning is managed by the Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District (District). The District is required to ensure adequate disposal capacity and meet the goals outlined in the State solid waste management plan. Hamilton County continues to exceed the state mandated goals for waste reduction that include a 25 percent recycling rate for the residential/commercial sector and a 66 percent recycling rate for the industrial sector as outlined below. (Recycling rates are estimates based on voluntary surveys.)

Residential/Commercial Waste Reduction Rates 50% 45% 40% 35% Waste Reduction 30% Rate 25% 20% State Goal 15% 10% 5% 0% 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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The Department’s Annual Report (hcdoes.org) presents the latest data on air quality, solid waste and recycling. Biodiversity Hamilton County’s native species are typical members of the North American temperate deciduous forest community. Prior to the settlement of the county in the late 1700s, unforested sites existed only at spots with shallow or saturated soils and at the few locations cleared by Native Americans for villages and crop fields. The storm water runoff from the wooded landscape was carried to the Ohio River through a network of clean streams. Since settlement, the water quality in the streams has declined while most of the county’s land has been cleared to make room for cities, suburbs and farms. As the human population of Hamilton County has grown to more than 800,000 people, the populations of most native organisms have fallen. Among the affected organisms, Running Buffalo Clover, Indiana Bat and five mussel species are now in danger of both local and global extinction. Native animals that already have been eliminated from the county include the Elk, American Bison, Gray Wolf, Cougar, American Black Bear, Canada Lynx, Fisher, American Marten, North American Porcupine, Wood Rat, Marsh Rice Rat, Carolina Parakeet (globally extinct), Passenger Pigeon (globally extinct), Raven, Timber Rattlesnake, Copperhead, Harelip Sucker (globally extinct), Diana Fritillary and many mussel species (three of which are globally extinct). Several more native species would be missing from Hamilton County if significant portions of the county’s forest cover were not protected in public park systems. Great Parks, for example, preserves natural conditions in more than 85 percent of its 25-square-mile land base in Hamilton County. Indian Hill’s greenspace program protects 5.3 square miles of wooded property, about one-quarter of the land in the village. The extent, distribution and resources of Cincinnati’s parks induced the Trust for Public Land to rank the city’s 7.8-square-mile park system as tenth best among the nation’s one hundred largest cities. Habitat restoration programs and the enforcement of hunting laws have enabled seven native species to reappear in Hamilton County following years of absence: American Burying Beetle, Pileated Woodpecker, Wild Turkey, Bobcat, Otter, North American Beaver and White-tailed Deer. The latter animal, now the county’s largest native species, causes vehicle accidents in addition to crop and garden damage. Fortunately, the number of deer-vehicle accidents in the county has declined from a high of 731 in 2002 to 433 in 2014, a downward trend largely due to a local increase in deer control activities.

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Although several native species are still missing from Hamilton County, the total number of species in the county is at its historically highest level due to deliberate and accidental introductions of foreign species. Amur Honeysuckle, Multiflora Rose, Canada Thistle, Emerald Ash Borer, Japanese Beetle, Zebra Mussel, Common Carp, European Common Wall Lizard, House Sparrow, European Starling, House Mouse and Brown Rat are among the better known of the hundreds of non- native species in the county. Through competition for local resources, non-native organisms reduce the population levels of many native species. Foreign species also often act as pests causing economic damage. Environmental Justice The U.S. EPA and World Health Organization define environmental justice (EJ) as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. EJ issues exist when disproportional environmental burdens fall on disadvantaged communities. These burdens can result from explicit or implicit biases in government policies or from other causes. An example of implicit bias is when a municipality adopts a policy that government services will be provided on a fee-for-service basis, or only in response to a request for service. While neutral on its face, such policies impose disproportionate burdens because people in disadvantaged communities are less likely to make a request for service, and less likely to agree to charges. If, as in some local communities, sidewalks are repaired only when adjacent property owners agree to pay for the cost, poor neighborhoods become less walkable because property owners cannot afford the repairs, and residents of those neighborhoods become more sedentary and less healthy. Similarly, when street trees are replaced only in response to complaints, poor neighborhoods end up with less tree canopy because they are less likely to report a dead tree. In Cincinnati, there is anecdotal information indicating that environmental justice may be a problem, however, the studies that would be needed to document and quantify the disparate impacts of EJ issues have not been conducted. The Cincinnati Health Department has documented that life expectancy varies by as much as 20 years from neighborhood to neighborhood in Cincinnati, with disadvantaged neighborhoods tending to have shorter life expectancies. Other health and quality-of-life indicators also show correlations to income and race. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Parks Department has documented significant disparities in neighborhood tree canopy coverage, with disadvantaged neighborhoods tending to have less tree canopy. Preliminary studies indicate that, in some disadvantaged neighborhoods, a significant percentage of homes have water intrusion or sewer back-up issues, and that residents of these homes experience elevated rates of asthma or other chronic respiratory problems. Access to other environmental services and exposure to other environmental burdens also correlate to income and race. It is unknown what, if any, portion of the observed discrepancies in life expectancy and quality-of-life can be attributed to the observed variations in environmental services and environmental burdens. An effort to address environmental justice issues in Cincinnati would include both efforts to reduce observed discrepancies in environmental services and burdens, and efforts to better understand the link between environmental issues and quality-of-life impacts.

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