OKI is considering an amendment to the Regional Water Quality Management (WQM) Plan for an area in Warren County south and east of the Little Miami River along and near Grandin Road in the Village of South Lebanon recently annexed from Hamilton Township where development is being planned. A public hearing on the proposed amendment will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. in the Village of South Lebanon Council Chambers at 10 North High Street, South Lebanon, Ohio 45065.
OKI published the original Regional Water Quality Management (WQM) Plan in 1977, and has periodically made updates to the plan since it was adopted. Such planning is required under Section 208 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 to assess sources of water pollution and recommend strategies to control them.
Some of the plan recommendations identify planning areas for wastewater treatment facilities, referred to as facility planning areas, along with the management agencies designated to be responsible for the facilities, referred to as designated management agencies. In recognition of ever changing circumstances, OKI has amended the plan many times over the ensuing years.
The amendment would enable Warren County to continue as the Designated Management Agency for 222.74 acres within the Village of South Lebanon’s boundaries that were recently annexed from Hamilton Township on the south side of the Little Miami River along and near Grandin Road. Prior to annexation this area was a part of the Lower Little Miami FPA with Warren County Water & Sewer providing services to the area. The current 208 water quality management plan automatically expands a municipality’s FPA boundary to include annexed parcels. Given that Warren County already has infrastructure in place and South Lebanon has no intentions of providing sewer or water to the area, returning management of these parcels to the Lower Little Miami FPA is the best course of action. This area is currently identified as part of the Lebanon/South Lebanon FPA managed by the City of Lebanon.
To provide comments on the proposed amendment to OKI’s WQM plan, the public is encouraged to attend the public hearing on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 and/or submit comments in writing no later than the close of business Friday, July 19, 2019 to David Rutter at the OKI office. More detailed information about the proposed amendment is available for review at the OKI office, 720 East Pete Rose Way, Suite 420, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, (513) 621-6300.
Click here for a map showing the proposed changes to facility planning area boundaries.