division of environmental and financial assistance -...

Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance

2016 Annual Report

Providingtechnical,complianceandfinancialassistanceprogramstohelpOhiocommunitiesandbusinesseswiththeirenvironmentalneeds.

OhioEPADivisionofEnvironmentalandFinancialAssistance2016AnnualReport

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To Our Stakeholders –

2016markedthefirstyearofenhancedservicestoOhio’sbusinessesandcommunitiesthroughOhioEPA’snewDivisionofEnvironmentalandFinancialAssistance(DEFA).UndertheleadershipofOhioEPADirectorCraigButler,DEFAwasreorganizedtocreateaone‐stopshopforcustomersseekingtechnicalandfinancialresourcestohelpthemachievecompliance.

RealigningkeycomplianceandfundingprogramswithinasingledivisionputsOhioEPAinabetterpositiontohelpevenmoreregulatedentitieswithagreaterlevelofservice.DEFAnowhousesseveraloftheAgency’scoreprogramsthatsupportbusinessandcommunitydevelopment,including:

StateRevolvingFund(SRF)loanprogramstohelpcommunitiesconstructandmaintainwastewateranddrinkingwaterinfrastructure.

Technicalassistancetohelpsmallcommunitywastewatertreatmentplantsimproveoperationsandefficiency.

Acomplianceassistanceofficethathelpsthousandsofsmallbusinessesannuallywithenvironmentalregulationsthroughon‐sitevisits,helpcompletingapplicationsandforms,trainingandplain‐Englishpublications.

Apollutionpreventionofficetohelpcompaniesidentifyandimplementmeasuresthatcanhelpsavemoney,improveperformanceandbenefittheenvironment.

Fundingtosupportrecycling,littercleanup,scraptiremanagement,andmarketdevelopmentforrecyclablessuchasglass,plastics,rubberandconstructionanddemolitiondebris.

TheEncouragingEnvironmentalExcellence(E3)Programtorecognizetheoutstandingeffortsofbusinesses,communitiesandotherentitiesmakingacommitmenttoenvironmentalstewardship.

ThenewOhioMaterialsMarketplace,anonlinetooltofacilitatethereuseofmaterialsthroughacollaborativenetworkofbusinesses,organizationsandentrepreneurs.

ThroughourOfficeofOutreachandCustomerSupport(OCS),we’vereachedouttohundredsofbusinessesandcommunitiestoincreasetheawarenessofservicesandresourcesavailabletothemthroughDEFA.

Whilewearepleasedwiththeprogressmadeoverthefirstyearafterourreorganization,weknowthatmuchworkliesaheadinhelpingyou,ourcustomers,meetyourgoalsrelatedtocomplianceandsustainability.Welookforwardtocontinuingourworkwithyoutomeetthesegoals.

Sincerely,

LaurieStevenson,ChiefDivisionofEnvironmentalandFinancialAssistance


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Funding to Help Communities Address Wastewater and Drinking Water Needs

Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) OhioEPA’sWaterPollutionControlLoanFund(WPCLF)offersfinancialandtechnicalassistancetopublicentities(villages,cities,countiesandsewerdistricts)forwastewaterinfrastructure.ProjectsfundedthroughtheWPCLFinclude:

improvingandexpandingwastewatertreatmentplants;

installingnew/replacementsewers;

eliminatingexcesssewerinfiltration/inflow;

addressingunseweredareas,includingrepair/replacementoffailinghomesewagetreatmentsystems;and

supportinginfrastructureimprovementstoaddresscombinedseweroverflow(CSO)problems.

During2016,OhioEPAawardedWPCLFloanstotaling$611,517,163tohelpOhiocommunitiesaddresswastewaterinfrastructureneeds.Inaddition,morethan$22millioninprincipleforgivenessfundingwasmadeavailabletohelpcommunitiesaddressfailinghomesewagetreatmentsystems(HSTSs),providecollectioncapacityinunseweredareasandaddressotherinfrastructurepriorities,particularlyineconomically‐disadvantagedandsmallcommunities.

Water Supply Revolving Loan Account

(WSRLA) Program OhioEPA’sWaterSupplyRevolvingLoanAccount(WSRLA)providesfinancialassistancetocommunitiesforplanning,design,constructionandimprovementstopublicwatersystems.

In2016,OhioEPAawardedWSRLAloanstotaling$105,517,222tohelpcommunitiesaddressdrinkingwaterinfrastructureneeds.Approximately$4millioninprincipleforgivenessfundingwasmadeavailabletohelpsmall,disadvantagedcommunities.


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Addressing Statewide Priorities through the Ohio’s SRF Programs

Onepriorityduring2016wastofindwaystoleveragefinancialresourcesthroughourSRFandgrantprogramstoaddresssomeofthestate’smostsignificantwaterqualitychallenges,includingharmfulalgalblooms,failingsepticsystems,leadandcombinedseweroverflows.Workinginpartnershipwithotherpublicfundingpartners,providingincentivesforinnovativeapproachesandofferingflexiblefinancingtermshavebeeneffectivestrategiestohelpourcommunitiesinaddressingthesechallenges.

Harmful Algal Blooms Inresponsetoharmfulalgalblooms(HABs),morethan$257millioninloansweremadeduring2016throughboththeWPCLFandWSRLAprogramsforinfrastructureimprovementsandequipmenttoreducephosphorusandothernutrients.OhioEPAalsomade$461,571availableforwatersystemstopurchasetestingequipment.

Failing Home Sewage Treatment Systems ThroughtheWPCLF,communitieswereofferedfinancialassistancetohelptheirlowtomoderate‐incomehomeownersrepairandreplacefailinghomesewagetreatmentsystems(HSTS).ThroughtheHSTSprogram,morethan$13millioninprincipalforgivenessfundingwasmadeavailabletohomeownersthroughtheirlocalhealthdepartmentstohelprepairorreplacetheirfailingsystems.Healthdepartmentsin57countiesappliedforuptoamaximumof$300,000eachtodistributeundertheHSTSprogram.Thiswillcontinuetobeafundingfocusin2017.

Lead Fixtures in Schools OhioEPA,inpartnershipwiththeOhioFacilitiesConstructionCommission(OFCC)andtheOhioWaterDevelopmentAuthority(OWDA)createdtheLeadPlumbingFixtureReplacementAssistanceGrantProgram.HouseBill390authorizedOFCCtoprovide$12millionforeligibleschoolstopayforsamplingandreplacementoflead‐containingdrinkingfountains,watercoolers,plumbingfixturesandlimitedconnectedpiping.Schoolscanapplyforupto$15,000inreimbursementforcostsassociatedwithsamplingandreplacement.Todate,307schooldistrictshaveenrolledintheprogram.

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) ManyOhiocommunitieshavecombinedsewerstohandlebothstormwaterandsewage.Toomuchrainwaterandsnowmeltcanoverwhelmthesecombinedsystems,causingsewagetobypasstreatmentandmakeitswaydirectlytostreamsandrivers.Acombinedseweroverflow(CSO)eventcanpresentapublichealthandenvironmentalrisk.ThemagnitudeoftheproblemhasresultedinmanycommunitiesbeingobligatedtoaddresstheirCSOissuesundereitherlong‐termcontrolplansorenforcementorders.

Formanycommunities,addressingCSOscanbebothtime‐consumingandcostly.In2016,OhioEPAreviseditsWPCLFfinancingtermstoprovidecommunitiesmoreflexibilitytopossiblyextendandtailortheirWPCLFrepaymentstobettermatchtheusefullifeofthewastewaterfacilitiestheyconstruct.

ThefocusonCSOscontinuesinto2017,withOhioEPAcommitting$300millioninWPCLFfundingoverthenextthreeyearsatzeropercentinteresttohelpcommunitiesaddressagingandfailingstormwaterandsewerinfrastructure.

The City of Columbus’ Augmentation Relief Sewer (OARS) project will significantly reduce combined sewer overflows into the Scioto River during storms. Part of the project funding is supported through Ohio’s WPCLF loan program. Photo source: City of Columbus.


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WPCLFandWSRLALoanPrograms2016Highlights

WPCLFProgram(WastewaterInfrastructure)

WPCLFLoansforWastewaterInfrastructurePlanning,DesignandConstruction $611,517,163

HomeSewageTreatmentSystem(HSTS)PrincipalForgivenessFunding $13,298,500

PrincipalForgivenessfornonHSTSprojects $9,555,961

WSRLAProgram(DrinkingWaterInfrastructure)

WSRLALoansforDrinkingWaterInfrastructurePlanning,DesignandConstruction $105,517,222

WSRLAPrincipalForgiveness $3,860,876

HABandNutrientReductionFundingthroughOhio’sSRFPrograms(2015‐2016Cumulative)

WPCLFNutrientReductionLoanTotal $178,970,373

WSRLAHABLoanVolume $78,329,620

WSRLACyanotoxin(HAB)TestingEquipment $461,571

Ohio’sSRFprogramsaresomeofthelargestinthecountry.BoththeWPCLFandWSRLAprogramsareauditedextensivelyeachyearbybothfederalandstateofficials.InallauditsoftheSRFprogramsbyU.S.EPAandtheOhioAuditorofStatecompletedin2016,nosignificantdeficienciesofeitherprogramwereidentified.

Wetland and Stream Preservation and Restoration

Createdin2000,theWaterResourceRestorationSponsorProgram(WRRSP)usesinterestmoniesfromWPCLFloansponsorprojectstofundpreservationandrestorationofaquatichabitat.Asof2016,atotalofmorethan$141millionhasbeenawardedfor125projectsin69Ohiowatershedareas,protectingandpreservingsomeofOhio’shighestwaterqualityresources.OurmostrecentroundofWRRSPfundingin2015‐2016includedapproximately$15millionfor11projectsacrossthestate.

WRRSPbytheNumbersEnvironmentalBenefitstoDate

4,379acresofwetlandspreserved703acresofwetlandsrestored

76miles(401,704linearfeet)ofriversandstreamspreserved25miles(132,689linearfeet)ofstreamsandriversrestored

12damsremoved


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WRRSP Project Spotlight

Oak Openings Beginningin2005,OhioEPAbeganpartneringwithTheNatureConservancyandToledoMetroparksthroughtheWRRSPtohelpfundtherestorationandprotectionofresourceswithintheOakOpeningsarea.

Duringthepast10years,morethan$8millioninWRRSPfundshavebeenusedtoprotecthigh‐qualitywaterresources,includingtheSchwambergerSedgeMeadow,KittyToddPreserve,AngolaFrankfortSedgemeadowandToledoMetroparksOakOpeningsPreserve.In2016,wecontinuedthisassistanceforboththeKittyToddandOakOpeningpreservelocations,includingworkonmorethan100acresofswampforestpreservation.

WRRSP Project Spotlight

Turkey Creek Estuary Protection Project ThroughitsWPCLFloanfortheEast140thConsolidationandReliefSewerProject,theNortheastOhioRegionalSewerDistrictsponsoredaWRRSPprojecttopreservethe603‐acreTurkeyCreekEstuary.ImplementersworkinginpartnershipontheprojectincludedtheWesternReserveLandConservancyandtheClevelandMuseumofNaturalHistory.

Theestuaryisadjacenttothe3,400‐acreRoderickWildlifePreserveinPennsylvaniaandthe85‐acreConneautWildlifeAreainOhio.Theseareasincludehigh‐qualitywetlandsandstreams,alongwithimportanthabitatforthreatenedandendangeredspecies.Theareasarealsohometomorethan400nativeplantandanimalspecies.

WRRSP Program Evaluation Initiative WiththeWRRSPprogramcelebratingover15yearsofhistory,DEFAinitiatedareviewtohelpidentifyprogramstrengthsandopportunitiesforimprovement.During2016,DEFAstaffspentconsiderabletimecompilingprojectinformation,evaluatingprojectstatusandconductingfieldworktoevaluatethesuccessofpastWRRSPprojects.Theresultsshowedthat,almostwithoutexception,theprojectscontinuetodemonstratesignificantwaterqualitybenefits.Theteamalsoconductedstakeholderoutreachtogetfeedbackandrecommendationsforprogramimprovements.

During2017,DEFAwillworkonWRRSPimprovements,includingrevisingannualreportingrequirements,increasingawarenessofWRRSPprojectsuccesses,collectingmorecomprehensivedataonwaterqualityimprovementsandmeetingmoreregularlywithWRRSPstakeholderstoaddressissuesofmutualconcernandidentifytargetareasforpossibleprojects.

More than 40 stakeholders attended Ohio EPA’s WRRSP open house in December 2016. During the event, DEFA staff shared program successes, described upcoming changes to the application process, answered questions and solicited feedback for program improvements.


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Helping Small Wastewater Systems

Package Plant Training Initiative and Workshops During2015‐2016,DEFApartneredwiththeOhioWaterDevelopmentAuthority(OWDA)tolaunchatrainingprogramforsmallwastewaterpackageplants.

Theprogramencompassesbothhands‐ontrainingoneffectiveplantoperationandtheuseoflow‐costtestingequipmenttohelptroubleshootandaddressissues.TheprogramwasinitiallyrolledoutforplantoperatorsinNorthwestOhioduring2015.During2016,morethan150plantoperatorsattendedworkshopsinSouthwest,SoutheastandCentralOhio.

Inadditiontothepackageplantinitiative,theComplianceAssistanceUnit(CAU)conductedseveralsmallerworkshopsonavarietyoftopicstohelpimproveplantoperations.Theworkshopswereattendedby483operatorsaroundthestate.

Hands‐On Technical Assistance for Small Wastewater Plant

Operations TheCAUstaffconducton‐sitetechnicalassistancevisitsandworkdirectlywithsmallwastewatertreatmentplantstoaddresstheircompliance.ThroughtheservicesoftheCAU,manycommunitieshavenotonlyresolvedproblems,butalsoidentifiedwaystosavemoneythroughenergyefficiencyandotherbestmanagementpractices.During2016,theCAUassisted99wastewatertreatmentplantsthroughoutOhio.

Helping Businesses with Environmental Regulations

and Permitting

DEFA’sOfficeofComplianceAssistanceandPollutionPrevention(OCAPP)providesfreeandconfidentialassistancetohelpbusinessescomplywithenvironmentalrequirements.OCAPPprovidedassistancetomorethan3,000businessesduring2016,including222sitevisitstohelpsmallbusinessownerscompletepermitapplicationsandotherOhioEPApaperwork.OCAPPstaffparticipatedin70presentationsandtrainingevents,reachingcloseto3,000peoplewithinformationonavarietyofpollutionpreventionandenvironmentalcompliancetopics.

OCAPP Spotlight – Asbestos Outreach to Contractors ToraiseawarenessofOhioEPA’sasbestosrequirements,OCAPPcoordinatedwiththeOhioDepartmentofCommercetodistributeinformationto300buildingdepartmentsandmorethan18,000contractors.OCAPPalsocoordinatedaCompliancewithOhioEPAAsbestosRegulationsforBuildingDemolitionsandRenovationwebinarthatreached127attendees.TherecordedwebinarisalsoavailableonthewebsiteaspartofOCAPP’sonlinetraininglibrary.

OCAPP Spotlight — Ohio EPA’s Compliance Assistance Conference OhioEPA’sninthcomplianceassistanceconferencewashostedinAugust2016.Approximately350businessesandorganizationsattendedthetwo‐dayevent.Theconferencecoveredawidevarietyofenvironmentaltopics,includingreporting,airpermitting,hazardouswasterequirementsandspillprevention.TheconferencealsohighlightedtheachievementsofseveralOhiocompaniesthatreceivedOhioEPA’s2016GoldandSilverLevelEncouragingEnvironmentalExcellence(E3)Awards.

What people are saying about Ohio EPA’s package plant training:

Thank you and your team for hosting this workshop and also for the operational tools. This collaboration between treatment operators and Ohio EPA is a must to secure the future of our valuable resources. Thank you again.

‐ Village Wastewater Director

I would like to thank you for the recent training course you offered regarding package plant systems. The technical explanation was very well disseminated and the field visits were just as helpful. It was possibly the best hands on training I've attended in 25 years.

‐ Village Administrator

Jon VanDommelen of DEFA’s Compliance Assistance Unit talks with plant operators during a training session.


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Promoting Recycling and Environmentally Sustainable Practices

Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) Program OhioEPA’sEncouragingEnvironmentalExcellenceProgramrecognizesbusinesses,organizationsandgovernmententitiesforachievementsinenvironmentalstewardship.

During2016,OhioEPAacknowledged11GoldLevel,oneSilverLeveland20AchievementLevelE3recipients.AfourthPlatinumLevelofrecognitionwasaddedtotheprogramforstewardshipeffortsthatalsointegratesocialwell‐beingaspartofanorganization’ssustainablepractices.WeareexcitedtoseewhatfutureparticipantsentertheE3programatalllevelsduring2017.

Helping Ohio Businesses Save Money and Improve Performance

through Pollution Prevention Thepollutionprevention(P2)staffinOCAPPcompletedasitevisittohelpI.D.Imagesdetermineiftherewereadditionalpracticesthatcouldbeimplementedtoimprovetheiroperations.Throughthecompany’sowneffortsandadditionalrecommendationsprovidedbytheP2team,I.D.Imagesfoundwaystoincreasetheuseofrecyclablematerialsandreduceditslandfilltrash.

MascoBuilderCabinetGroupgeneratedlargequantitiesofindustrialwastes,includingusedsolvents,coatingsandsawdust.TheP2teamworkedwiththecompanytoidentifyseveralprocesschangesthatcouldhelpthecompanyimproveoperationsandreducewastes.Asaresult,Mascoisnowsavingmorethan$1.5millionandhasreducedannualemissionsbymorethan31millionpounds.

Funding Support for Recycling and Litter Prevention through DEFA’s Grant Programs Eachyear,OhioEPA'sRecyclingandLitterPrevention(R&LP)Programawardscloseto$4millioningrantfundingtosupportrecyling‐relatedactivitiesacrossOhio.In2016,theprogramawardedgrantstosupport89projectsthroughoutthestate.

Theprogramprovidesopportunitiesforcommunities,localgovernments,businessesandnon‐profitorganizationstoestablishandimplementrecycling,litterpreventionandscraptireprograms.R&LP’smarketdevelopmentgrantsareavailableforbusinesses,throughalocalsponsor,topurchaserecyclingequipment.Eachyear,theprogramawardscloseto$4milliontotalingrantstosupportrecycling‐relatedactivities.

Ohio EPA Director Craig Butler (left) presents an E3 flag to Jerry Crabb, Senior Director of Ballpark Operations for the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

RecyclingandLitterPreventionGrantProgramHighlights

GrantType Projects Amount

CommunityDevelopment 37 $1,678,998

LitterManagement 42 $561,707

MarketDevelopment 8 $1,357,194

ScrapTires 2 $400,000

Total 89 $3,997,898


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R&LP Program Spotlight – Promoting Recycling at Venues and Events TheR&LPProgramprovided75recyclingcontainersatthe2016NationwideChildren’sHospitalColumbusMarathon.Theeventhostedmorethan18,000participantsandcollectedseveraltonsofrecyclableplastic.Inpartnership,RumpkeofOhioservicedtherecyclingcontainersandprocessedthematerialsattheirmaterialrecoveryfacility.

TopromotemorerecyclingattheOhioStateFairandtohelpeducateattendeesaboutthebenefitsofrecycling,OhioEPAprovidedrecyclinggrantfundingtopurchase10Bigbellyrecyclingcontainers.Thecontainerswereputinplaceforthe2016OhioStateFair,butwillremainpermanentlyonthegroundsforfutureevents.TheOhioExpoCommissionpurchasedanadditional10containersasamatchfortheproject.TheBigbellyunitshaveseveraluniquefeaturesthatenhancerecyclingcapacityandprovideinformationtogaugethetypeandamountofmaterialbeingrecycled.

Recyclingateventswillcontinuetobeafocusoftheprogramforfunding.In2017wewillcontinuetoreachouttospecialeventorganizerstoensureOhio’sfairs,festivalsandeventshaveconvenientrecyclingopportunities.

R&LP Program Spotlight – Helping Ohio Businesses Grow Through Recycling Throughamarketdevelopmentgrant,combinedwithmatchingfunds,FremontPlasticspurchasedequipmenttorecyclewasteplasticfromthecompany’sblowmoldinglineforreuseinitsmanufacturingprocess.Withthenewequipment,anestimated1.2millionpoundsofplasticscrapwillbedivertedfromthelandfillannually.Thecompanyisalsosaving$588,000annuallyinmaterialcosts,andthereprocessinglinesupportsninefull‐timejobs.Thecompanyishopefulitcanbecomearegionalresourceforreprocessingsimilarplasticby‐productsfromothermanufacturers.

TripleArrowIndustriesmatchedfundingunderOhio’srecyclinggrantprogramtopurchaseequipmenttorecycleplasticsupersacks,generatedfromvariouslocationsthroughoutOhio.Thenewequipmentwashes,shredsandpelletizesthesacksintoplasticpelletsthatcanusedasfeedstocktomanufactureautopartsandpackagingmaterials.Throughrecycling,anestimated10,000tonsofsupersacksarebeingdivertedfromlandfilldisposal.ThecompanyhopesthatsinceOhioisamajordistributionhubandisstrategicallylocatedwithintheU.S.autoindustry,therearesignificantopportunitiesforrecyclingpost‐industrialandpost‐consumerplasticwaste.

TheFremontPlasticsandTripleArrowprojectsarejusttwoexamplesofhowOhioEPA’srecyclinggrantshelpincreasetheuseofrecyclingtechnologies,strengthentheinfrastructureforhandlingandprocessingrecyclablesanddevelopmoremarketsforrecycledproducts.Thesegrantshavehelpedrecyclingeffortsinvolvingplastics,glass,paper,metals,constructionanddemolitiondebris,organicsandothermaterials.

Ohio EPA Director Butler (bottom right) and Ohio EPA staff pose for photos with a newly installed Bigbelly recycling container at the 2016 Ohio State Fair.

Rich Knaggs (center), former technical manager for Fremont Plastics Products, explains how the new plastics reprocessing equipment will work.

Polypropylene super sacks before the recycling process and after as polypropylene pellets for automobile and packaging industries.


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Getting Our Customers Connected

TheOfficeofOutreachandCustomerSupport(OCS)wasestablishedtoconnectourcommunityandbusinesscustomerstotherightresourcestomeettheirneeds.Through2016,OCSmetwithmorethan150communityleaders,businesses,tradeassociations,economicdevelopmentagenciesandlocalgovernments.TheofficehelpedorganizeOhioEPAopenhouseeventsinColumbusandtheGreaterCincinnatiareas,attendedby46and50businessesrespectively.OCSalsorepresentedDEFAthroughpresentationsorexhibitsat11conferences,reachinganaudienceofmorethan1,000peopleandmaking45referralstoourtechnicalandfinancialassistanceprograms.

OCSworkedwiththeagency’scomplianceandassistanceprogramstohostninewebinarsduring2016,reaching1,282attendees.Thewebinarscoveredavarietyoftopics,includingenvironmentalcompliance,funding,reportingandsustainablebestmanagementpractices.DEFA’smonthlyeBlastscontainhelpfulinformationaboutregulationsandresourcesandnowreachanaudienceofmorethan14,000subscribers.DEFA’squarterlynewsletter,withmoredetailedupdatesandarticles,reachesmorethan7,000subscribers.

OCSwillcontinuetofocusonproactiveoutreachduring2017toensurethatstakeholdersareawareoftheresourcesavailabletohelpmeettheircomplianceandsustainability‐relatedgoals.

Weappreciatethesupportfromallourstakeholdersandlookforwardtoanotherbusyandproductiveyearin2017.IfyouhaveanyquestionsorneedmoreinformationaboutDEFA’sservices,contactOCSat(614)644‐2798,orvisitourwebsiteatepa.ohio.gov/defa.

JohnR.Kasich,GovernorCraigW.Butler,Director

DivisionofEnvironmentalandFinancialAssistance(DEFA)50W.TownStreet,Suite700

P.O.Box1049Columbus,Ohio43216‐1049Telephone:(614)644‐2798

epa.ohio.gov/defa

Please contact DEFA with your comments and suggestions about this report. Ohio EPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Printed on recycled paper Publication date: April 2017

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