Welcome to Beachwood

Mayor Gorden, City of Beachwood

State of the Euclid Creek Watershed Summit

November 12, 2015

Beachwood Community Center

Euclid Creek Watershed Program

Overview

Claire Posius, CSWCD Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator

34 miles of stream 24 square miles All or part of

12 municipalities in 2 counties

Population of ~63,500

Land Cover: - 51% residential - 14% undeveloped - 12% roads/highways - 9% protected open

space - 2-4% commercial,

industrial, institutional

The Euclid Creek Watershed

Claire Posius, Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator

• Euclid Creek Watershed Council (ECWC) Committees – PIPE Committee – Technical Committee – Volunteer Monitoring Program Committee

• Friends of Euclid Creek (FOEC)

– non-profit grassroots watershed group

• Cuyahoga SWCD

– hosts the Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator position

Euclid Creek Watershed Program Partners

Building Local Capacity to Move Resource Stewardship Forward

Critical Partners

Agency/Nonprofit Partners • Central Lake Erie Basin Watershed

Collaborative – NE Ohio Watershed groups

• Cleveland Metroparks

• Cleveland Museum of Natural History

• Cuyahoga Area of Concern / Cuyahoga River Community Planning Org.

• Cuyahoga County Board of Health

• Cuyahoga Solid Waste District

• Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency

• Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

• Ohio and US Environmental Protection Agency

• Sierra Club

• The Nature Conservancy

• Trust for Public Land

• West Creek Conservancy

Community Groups • Bluestone Heights

• Boy Scouts

• Euclid Beach Adopt-a-Beach Program / Alliance for the Great Lakes

• Garden Clubs

• Girl Scouts

• Greenwood Farm Association

• Highland Heights Green Task Force

• Highland Heights Lions Club

• South Euclid Recycling Committee

• Richmond Heights Kiwanis

Outside / Leveraged Funding Sources

For personnel / operations • Ohio Department of Natural Resources

(ODNR)

• Cleveland Waterfront Coalition

• Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD)

• Ohio Lake Erie Commission-Lake Erie Protection Fund (OLEC-LEPF)

For restoration / planning grants • Clean Ohio Fund

• Coastal Management Assistance Grant

• Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization & US Forest Service Grant

• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative / US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• NEORSD

• Ohio EPA

– Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF)

– Section 319 Program

– Surface Water Improvement Fund Program (SWIF)

– Water Resource Restoration Sponsorship Program (WRRSP)

• OLEC-LEPF

• US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

• ODNR

• And many agencies have provided countless In-Kind or Volunteer hours toward program

Euclid Creek Watershed Program

Three Main Objectives 1. Watershed Action Plan Implementation – priority habitat and water quality

improvement projects aimed at delisting impairments 2. Technical and Project Assistance to Watershed Communities – addressing

community concerns regarding watershed issues such as streambank erosion, flooding, etc.

3. Outreach and Education – PIPE program, plus education and outreach in support of Objectives 1 and 2.

Euclid Creek Watershed Action Plan (WAP) Implementation

•Comprehensive plan for the watershed •Sets goals and guidance to establish stewardship

activities to protect, restore, and manage the watershed

•Includes: Watershed resource inventory Problems identified Watershed-wide and sub-watershed

recommendations and solutions to benefit watershed communities for the future

July 2006 – endorsed by Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and Ohio EPA

2016 – WAP Update required

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District’s

Role in Program

Janine Rybka, CSWCD District Administrator

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District

CSWCD Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinators

2007-Present Claire Posius

2004-2007 Lynn Garrity

2002-2004 Kristy Albro

MISSION To promote conservation of land

and aquatic resources in a developed environment through

stewardship, education, and technical assistance.

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR

Janine Rybka

EUCLID CREEK WATERSHED COORDINATOR

Claire Posius

CSWCD PROGRAMS

Watersheds

Conservation Education

Storm Water Pollution Prevention

Euclid Creek Watershed Council’s

Role in Program

Chris Vild, ECWC Chair

ECWC

CHAIR

Chris Vild, City of Beachwood

VICE CHAIR

David Roche, City of Richmond Heights

MEMBERS

Merle S. Gorden, Mayor, City of Beachwood

Rachid Zoghaib, Commissioner, City of Cleveland Division of Water Pollution Control

Bill Cervenik, Mayor, City of Euclid

Scott Coleman, Mayor, City of Highland Heights

Joe Cicero, Mayor, City of Lyndhurst

Anthony DiCicco, Mayor, City of Mayfield Heights

Bruce Rinker, Mayor, Village of Mayfield

David Roche, Mayor, City of Richmond Heights

Georgine Welo, Mayor, City of South Euclid

MISSION To address common

environmental, storm water and development concerns in the Euclid Creek Watershed.

GOALS

To promote inter-jurisdictional cooperation in addressing

watershed issues in the Euclid Creek.

To cooperate with and support

the Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator in implementing the Euclid Creek Watershed

Action Plan.

ECWC

EUCLID CREEK WATERSHED COUNCIL COMMITTEES Public Involvement & Public Education Committee (PIPE) Role: Provides and plans outreach materials and activities to promote and educate

residents on Euclid Creek and its stewardship. Representatives consist of community residents and staff from each Euclid Creek

Watershed Council community. Meets: Two times a year

Technical Committee Role: To provide and plan strategy to implement the Watershed Action Plan, TMDL and

NPDES Phase II requirements on a watershed-wide collaborative basis. Representatives consist of City Engineers, Service Directors and regional agencies. Meets: On an as needed basis, usually once a year

Volunteer Monitoring Program Committee Role: To advise on monitoring program for the Euclid Creek watershed. Representatives consist of local educational institutions and Friends of Euclid Creek

members. Meets: On an as needed basis, usually one time a year

Euclid Creek Watershed Volunteer Monitoring

Program’s

Role in Program

Lou Rifici, Manager of Euclid Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program and Professor of Environmental, Health and Safety Tech Program at

Cuyahoga Community College-East

Euclid Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program

ECVMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Mary K. Evans - Volunteer Monitor

Tracey Meilander – Biology Professor, Notre Dame College

Mike Nichols - Chemistry Professor, John Carroll

Kimberly Ochs - Biology Professor, Tri-C Eastern Campus

Sarah Preston - Dean of School of Arts & Sciences, Ursuline College

Claire Posius - Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator, Cuyahoga SWCD (Program Coordinator)

Mandy Razzano - Environmental Specialist, Ohio EPA

Lou Rifici - Environmental Scientist & Biology Assistant Professor, Tri-C Eastern Campus (Program Manager)

Michael Rowan - Biology Professor, Tri-C Eastern Campus

Judy Santmire - Biology Professor, Notre Dame College

Bill Zawiski - Environmental Supervisor, Ohio EPA

MISSION To produce valid

environmental data needed to aid in the

assessment and protection of Ohio’s

watersheds and aquatic resources.

GOALS

To inform and engage the community in effective

watershed stewardship.

Citizen monitors build awareness of water

quality issues, aquatic resources and pollution

prevention.

Euclid Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program

Program started in 2005

5 sites monitored by volunteers monthly

Chemical and physical monitoring conducted for: • nutrient levels, turbidity, dissolved oxygen

concentration, conductivity, temperature and pH

Trends in data mirroring contaminant issues identified in Ohio EPA TMDL report

4,670 observations recorded over 9 years of gathering data

Dedicated volunteers monitoring

Lou Rifici training volunteers ‘Smith/Chatfield Dr.’ Group receives 2015

Volunteer of Year award by Cuyahoga SWCD Thank you for all of your time and dedication Lou!

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s

Euclid Creek Monitoring Update

Bill Zawiski, Environmental Supervisor

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

2015 Samples

• Chemistry

Parameter Units Result

Alkalinity, Total (total hydroxide+carbonate+bicarbonate)mg/L 126.45

Aluminum ug/L 116.93

Ammonia mg/L 0.03

Arsenic ug/L 1.86

Barium ug/L 31.69

Cadmium ug/L 0.10

Calcium mg/L 58.76

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) mg/L 11.34

Chloride mg/L 255.45Chromium ug/L 0.90

Copper ug/L 3.25

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) mg/L 9.18

Escherichia coli #/100ml 1106.19Hardness, Ca + Mg mg/L 203.59

Iron ug/L 154.10

Lead ug/L 0.88

Magnesium mg/L 13.80

Manganese ug/L 15.21

Nickel ug/L 2.73

Nitrate+Nitrite mg/L 0.70

Nitrogen, Kjeldahl mg/L 0.39

Nitrogen, Nitrite (NO2) as NO2 mg/L 0.01

pH S.U. 8.17

Phosphate mg/L 0.05

Phosphorus mg/L 0.03

Potassium mg/L 3.70

Selenium ug/L 1.08

Sodium mg/L 139.47

Solids, Total Suspended (TSS) mg/L 2.81

Strontium ug/L 289.17

Sulfur, sulfate (SO4) as SO4 mg/L 54.61

Total Dissolved Solids mg/L 626.76

Uncorrected Conductance μmhos/cm 914.98Zinc ug/L 5.00

30

24 32

26

20

Instream Measurements

Extra Organics Sampling for

2016

• Herbicides

• Glyposate

• Carbamates

• Atrazine

Friends of Euclid Creek’s

Role in Program

Christi Carlson, FOEC President

Friends of Euclid Creek

FOEC Past Presidents 2014-present Christi Carlson 2012-2014 Barb Holtz 2010-2012 Frank Skala 2008-2010 Fran Hogg 2007-2008 Ginny Aveni 2005-2007 Larry McFadden 2001-2005 Ginny Aveni

MISSION To raise awareness about and preserve the natural features of the Euclid Creek Watershed.

GOAL To advocate for the health of the Euclid Creek Watershed.

VISION FOEC is the citizen voice for the Euclid Creek Watershed.

We speak for the Creek

Officers: Christi Carlson, President; Chris Vild, Vice President; Ken Messinger-Rapport; Jeanette Evans, Secretary; Board of Directors: Gary Bloom, Brian Gilbert, Barb Holtz

Friends of Euclid Creek

2010-FOEC receives Ohio Lake Erie Commission’s

Annual Award for group’s Outstanding Contributions to

Improve Lake Erie

Tours of Protected Natural Areas in Euclid Creek

Greenwood Farm (Richmond Heights) Dusty Goldenrod (Highland Heights)

Friends of Euclid Creek

Display/Tabling at Community Events

Kylie Armstead Making Craft Fish at South Euclid Harvest Fest

Display at Euclid Beach Blast

Display at Rockwell Automation

(Mayfield Hts) Earth Day for Employees

FOEC Scholarship in Environmental Studies 2014 Recipient of $1,000 – Anne Roberto

2015 Recipient of $1,000 – Abbigail Smith

Friends of Euclid Creek

Friends of Euclid Creek

FOEC Past Presidents 2014-present Christi Carlson 2012-2014 Barb Holtz 2010-2012 Frank Skala 2008-2010 Fran Hogg 2007-2008 Ginny Aveni 2005-2007 Larry McFadden 2001-2005 Ginny Aveni

MISSION To raise awareness about and preserve the natural features of the Euclid Creek Watershed.

GOAL To advocate for the health of the Euclid Creek Watershed.

VISION FOEC is the citizen voice for the Euclid Creek Watershed.

We speak for the Creek

Officers: Christi Carlson, President; Chris Vild, Vice President; Ken Messinger-Rapport; Jeanette Evans, Secretary; Board of Directors: Gary Bloom, Brian Gilbert, Barb Holtz

Neighboring Watershed Effort Update

Dr. Roy Larick, Local Archeologist

Bluestone Heights

roylarick@gmail.com

bluestoneheights.org

Roy Larick, PhD Bluestone

Heights

Bluestone

Heights

Ch

ag

rin

Tinkers

State of Euclid Creek

Nov 12, 2015

local ecology that matters

Euclid’s Escarpment Runs

Portage Escarpment

Portage Escarpment rivers

N

City of Euclid

N

City of Euclid

PS

UC

3C

Portage Escarpment runs ‘Bluestone Heights’

Cuyahoga

R.

Lake Erie

Cuyahoga shale

Cleveland shale

Chagrin shale

Gully Euclid Nine Mile Shaw Dugway Blue Rock Doan Kingsbury

Chagrin

R.

Sharon sandstone

~570’ asl

Berea Sandstone

Euclid b’stone

PS

UC

3C

Euclid escarpment runs in East Side context

Cleveland

Euclid

South Euclid

Richmond Hts

Burk Run

Babbitt Run W

Babbitt Run E

Creek

Green Creek

Portage Escarpment runs Euclid

City of Euclid Portage Escarpment ravines

Green Creek

escarpment ravine

Dominion Energy

ecological inventory

Green Creek Euclid Railroad

Green Creek

escarpment ravine

Dominion Energy

ecological inventory

Green Creek Euclid Railroad

20.2 acres ~3900 linear ft in three branches

W3 E3

W4

S2

S3

E4

W2

W1 E2

E1

W5

S1

S4

E5

14 survey units 20.2 acres

~3900 linear ft in three branches

Green Creek

escarpment ravine

Dominion Energy

ecological inventory

NEORSD online field data collection

Paul Kovalcik, Watershed Projects Specialist

storm runoff retention

ecological services

Comprehend urban forest ecology

Measure the structure

Quantify value to the community

Build management strategy

Oak

Beech

Maple

Tulip

Sycamore

Cherry

Cottonwood

Ash

Tools to comprehend local habitats

Mapping local ecological resources

strategies to make places more bird-friendly

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Euclid Creek Watershed Program

Accomplishments / Highlights

Claire Posius, CSWCD Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator

Resources Provided to ECWC Communities

Stream Restoration Opportunities Maps - identifying restoration opportunities along Euclid Creek in each Watershed Council community

Wetland Inventory – to identify remaining wetlands to protect

Resources Provided to ECWC Communities

Euclid Creek Storm Water Retrofit Inventory Project

ArcelorMittal Great Lakes Restoration Program and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant

Education and Outreach Resources

Community-Specific Watershed Fact Sheets

Fact sheets include:

All Watersheds in community

Parks and natural resources

Miles of streams above ground and miles of buried stream

How community helping watershed

What you can do to help your watershed

Each fact sheet is available for download on the Euclid Creek Watershed Program

Website at http://www.EuclidCreekWatershed.org

Poster Size Watershed Maps for Watershed Council Communities

Printed maps for 9 communities (same information as on Fact Sheets)

Education and Outreach Resources

Land Protection Projects

7 properties protected totaling 207 acres

Greenwood Farm - 17 acres, 2004

Dusty Goldenrod - 12.5 acres, 2008

Marcela - 1.21 acres, 2010 (planned to be adjacent to bike trail, plans have changed)

Sanson - 1.6 acres, 2010 (adjacent to Quarry Park Picnic Area)

Acacia - 155 acres, 2012

Redstone Run - 8 acres, 2013

Bishop/Hawthorne - 12 acres, 2014

Doesn’t include many acres of steep slope owned by City of Richmond Heights

City purchased Greenwood Farm in 2004

Rich history, beautiful property on East Branch of Euclid Creek

17-acre estate

Pull facts from Larick fact sheet!

Steep bank/ravine with old growth trees

Preservation Impetus: threat of housing development

Active Greenwood Farm Association restoring historic farm house and barn, enhancing grounds with help of volunteers and boy scouts, received grant for demonstration green infrastructure project, is pursuing historic designation, ETC., - tireless group!

Greenwood Farm Land Protection Project Richmond Heights, 2004-06

Greenwood Farm Land Protection Project Richmond Heights, 2004-06

$355,360 in Clean Ohio

Funding, Mitigation

funds and Kent Smith

Foundation funds to

protect 12 acre site in

Highland Heights

Site 37 acres,

conservation easement

on 12.5 acres of that

10 acres of high quality

palustrine wetlands

High quality headwater

tributaries

To protect wetland

meadow and state

endangered Dusty

Goldenrod

headwater tributary

Dusty Goldenrod Land Protection Project Highland Heights, 2008

Conservation Easement Area in Yellow

Dusty Goldenrod Land Protection Project Highland Heights, 2008

155 acres protected at the Headwaters of Euclid Creek

Acacia Golf Course purchased in Sept. 2012 by national nonprofit conservation group – the Conservation Fund

Donated to Cleveland Metroparks in Dec. 2012 to restore for community to enjoy

From Manicured Golf Course to

Park Restoration in Progress = Urban Oasis!

Acacia Reservation Land Protection Project Lyndhurst, 2012

$182,000 in Clean Ohio Funding to protect 8 acre site in Richmond Heights West Creek Conservancy

collaboration on property acquisition & City of Richmond Heights support crucial to project success

1,200 linear feet of Redstone Run – class II primary headwater habitat stream that bisects property

Steep bank/ravine with old growth trees

FOEC fundraiser generated $18,000 for project!

Project Impetus: immediate threat of logging old growth trees and/or development

Redstone Run Land Protection Project Richmond Heights, 2012-13

Redstone Run Land Protection Project Richmond Heights, 2012-13

$252,000 in Clean Ohio Funding to protect 12 acre site in Highland Heights West Creek Conservancy

collaboration on property acquisition

headwater tributary

~4 acres of Category 2/3 wetlands

900 linear feet of Class III primary headwater stream

Wide, accessible floodplain, riparian area

City of Highland Heights donated $2,000 toward native plant installation

Bishop/Hawthorne Land Protection Project Highland Heights, 2013-14

100-acres of

protected greenspace (active and

passive)

Bishop/Hawthorne Land Protection Project Highland Heights, 2013-14

Bishop/Hawthorne Land Protection Project Highland Heights, 2013-14

Euclid Creek East Branch Dam Removal Project, 2006-2011

$670,000 for design, engineering and construction of dam removal

5 grant sources o US Fish & Wildlife Service – Fish

Passage Program o ODNR, Division of Wildlife o ODNR, Division of Wildlife through

USFWS o Ohio EPA, Water Resource

Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP) (as match for Ohio EPA 319 Program)

o Ohio EPA 319 Program

1930’s dam created to impound water for YMCA camp swimming area

Removed fish passage impediment

Restored 700 linear feet of stream and restored stream grade and geometry

Oxbow/Duck Island Site Location Map

Before aerial – Duck Island before restoration After aerial – wetland restoration during construction

1.4 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative / US EPA funded restoration

Started August, 2012; Completed December, 2013; Monitored Site 2014

Restoration Deliverables - Channel Restoration 1,100 ft - Floodplain Restoration 1.16 acres - Lacustrine Wetland 2.33 acres in 5 areas - Bank Stabilization 435’ in 3 areas - Invasive Control /

Riparian Enhancement 3.2 acres

Wildwood / Lacustrine Refuge Wetland Restoration Project, 2010-2014

• Just in 2014 held 2 Spring Planting Events

34 volunteers planted 1,400 native wetland plants

• Fall Cleanup Day

24 volunteers collected native seed and dispersed on banks

• Tours of Site

Ohio Stormwater Conference Tour – 12 attendees

Upstage Players Group Tour – 17 high school students

Ohio Soil & water Commission Tour stop – 20 attendees

Ohio Watershed Leaders (OWLS) Conference Tour stop – 45 attendees

Wildwood / Lacustrine Refuge Wetland Restoration Project

Wildwood / Lacustrine Refuge Wetland Restoration Project

5 Years of Monitoring Required

Report compiled and submitted to Army Corps annually

Monitoring Coordination

Fish Monitoring – NEORSD

Macroinvertebrate Sampling – NEORSD

Habitat (QHEI) – NEORSD & OEPA

Vegetative Sampling-Cleveland Metroparks

Visual Erosion Monitoring, post-storm events -CSWCD

Morphology/Cross Section Evaluation-Cleveland WPC & NEORSD & CSWCD

Annual Photos/Observations-NEORSD & CSWCD

Monitoring Results Year 1

Fish populations have not rebounded yet

Macroinvertebrates recovering well

Vegetation recovering well

Morphology-stream channel stable

Watching several erosion areas

Maintenance Year 1

Trees protected from beaver damage

Native plants installed in several areas

Grape vines removed from desirable trees

Invasives management

Record size pink salmon found within project area in Euclid Creek on

September 19, 2014

Spadderdock lily planted by volunteers flowering Black Swallowtail butterfly on Joe Pye Weed, photo

by Jenn Grieser

Young Buck walking across wetland unphased by

our monitoring 10’ away

Mallard sitting next to a Green Heron

Monarch in wetland

Wildwood / Lacustrine Refuge Wetland Restoration Project

Green Infrastructure Demonstration Projects Greenwood Farm, Richmond Heights, 2013

City received $187,000 in Ohio EPA SWIF funding

Installed several types of permeable pavement drive and parking areas and several bioretention areas

South Euclid Municipal Complex Parking Lots, 2012 & 2014

City received $166,015 in 2012 and $144,655 in 2014 through OEPA SWIF program

Retrofitted front (2013) and rear (2014) parking lots with permeable pavers

Green Infrastructure Demonstration Projects Highland Heights Service Department Bioretention, 2013

City installed bioretention to help with drainage problems at Service Department

Assisted by having plants installed by Mayfield Excel Tech students with FOEC-NEORSD funding and provided educational signage

Green Infrastructure Demonstration Projects ECWC Projects Outside of Euclid Creek

Mayfield Heights Demonstration GI at City Hall, 2010 (Chagrin River Watershed)

City received $231,900 in 2010 through OEPA SWIF program

Installed residential scale rain garden, commercial scale bioretention, tree vaults in parking lot, permeable pavement in portion of parking lot.

South Euclid Quarry Park Bioretention, 2009 (Nine Mile Watershed)

City received $5,000 NOERSD funding to install bioretention next to community garden

City of Cleveland Water Pollution Control Facility, 2010 (Lake Erie Direct Watershed)

City received $260,158 in Ohio EPA SWIF funding to install permeable asphalt, concrete, bioretention systems and water harvesting for irrigation and car fleet washing

Green Infrastructure Demonstration Projects ECWC Projects Outside of Euclid Creek

Mayfield Village Wiley Park, 2011 (Chagrin River Watershed) Village received $184,429 in Ohio EPA Section 319 funding to install permeable paver

parking lot and a large bioretention cell garden Assisted by facilitating planting by Mayfield Excel Tecc students and developing long

term educational signage Project built off of 2005 Fosters Run floodplain restoration City-led project

Mayfield Village Civic Center, 2014 (Chagrin River Watershed) Village received Ohio EPA SWIF funding to install permeable paver parking lot Assisted by developing long term educational signage

Euclid Shore Cultural Centre, 2013 (Lake Erie Direct Watershed) City received ~$125,000 in Ohio EPA SWIF funding to install permeable

asphalt in parking lot and bioretention Assisted by developing long term educational signage

Cleveland-Northeast Shores Development Corp, 2012 (Green Creek Watershed)

City received multiple grants totaling $184,429 from NEORSD, Ohio and US EPA, City of Cleveland and NPI to install permeable pavement and bioretention in 3 public parking lots along Waterloo Arts District

Provided assistance with educational signage ultimately created by artist in neighborhood

Innovative Project Led by City of Lyndhurst Turf to Wildflower Meadow Conversion

Brainard Park Wildflower Meadow, 2006 City converted 2 acres of underutilized turf grass to a native wildflower meadow (technical assistance and

seed from Ohio Prairie Nursery, Hiram, OH) Meadow Ecological Benefits: provides storm water retention function, residents can enjoy aesthetically

pleasing garden, and beautiful wildflowers provide habitat and food resources to wildlife Meadow Taxpayer Savings: minimal maintenance as mowing, watering and weeding are not required

Schaeffer Park Wildflower Meadow, 2010 City converted 1 acre of underutilized turf grass in park to a native wildflower meadow

Rain Garden Installations

Installed 13 Demonstration Rain Gardens in Euclid Creek Watershed Council Communities

Volunteer Riparian & Understory Plantings Richmond Heights Municipal Complex, 2013

Planted 67 trees, 500 saplings along 770’ of Claribel Creek – 0.4 acre area – 167 volunteers

Redstone Run Upland Riparian Planting, 2013

43 volunteers planted 40 massive trees and shrubs in area where home once stood to reforest upland riparian area

Volunteer Riparian & Understory Plantings

Bishop/Hawthorne Land Protection Project, 2014

48 volunteers planted 430 native understory plants, due to deer browsed forest understory

$13,700 in Lake Erie Protection Fund funding for watershed-wide streamside reforestation program

429, 3-gallon trees and 4,725 tree and shrub seedlings distributed to 90 streamside property owners to plant

2.17 miles of stream properties enrolled

89% of sites inspected were planted successfully

Volunteer help and Lyndhurst Service Garage for storing trees critical to program success!

Streamside Tree & Shrub Planting Program Watershed-Wide, 2015

Volunteers cutting deer protection fencing for

the trees

Volunteers helped participants load trees in

car at Lyndhurst City Hall

Chris Vild (above) and Chad Clink showed

participants how to correctly plant trees and

seedlings

Trees and shrubs planted along tributary will help stabilize stream bank and

cool stream over time

Major Sanitary Sewer Projects Improving Water Quality

City of Richmond Heights (Impacts East Branch of Euclid Creek)

1994-2009 project to convert 335 septic systems to sewer ~$12 million project

City of Willoughby Hills (Impacts East Branch of Euclid Creek)

2000-2010 project to convert 550 septic systems to sewer, 3 phases ~$17 million project

On one street, 75% of septic systems were failing and those contaminated waters were discharged directly to Euclid Creek

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District – Euclid Creek Tunnel Project (Impacts Main Branch of Euclid Creek)

218 million tunnel project to be complete in 2016 – will reduce combined sewer overflows from 60 times a year into Euclid Creek and by Euclid Creek & Villa Angela Beaches to fewer than 5 a year

Landowner Technical Assistance

Assist with variety of calls

Backyard drainage

Basement flooding

Illegal dumping on steep slopes and in stream

Stream erosion issues

Stream blockage issues

Detention/Retention basin issues

Structures in riparian areas

Record number of calls in 2015 with wet spring/summer and flooding issues

Anticipate continued trend in wet weather and related calls for assistance

Education and Outreach Technical Assistance

Grants Assistance

Project Signage

Riparian & Wetland Setback Codes

6 (67%) of ECWC member communities have adopted

riparian and wetland setback codes.

Early program outreach (2005)

Watershed Signage,

Watershed Brochure

Watershed Caricature Map

Education and Outreach

Education and Outreach History

Historic Books about Euclid Creek and Fact Sheets Developed for Projects – Thanks to Roy Larick

Education and Outreach

Workshops

Rain Barrel, Green Cleaning

School Outreach

Storm Drain Stenciling, Water Monitoring

Community Events

Tabling Events (Euclid Beach Blast) &

New Events - Great Lake Erie Boat Float

Education and Outreach

Eagle Scout Candidate Project at Redstone Run Site, Richmond Heights, 2014

Installed 4 monarch waystations at Redstone Run conserved site envisioned as land lab

Eagle Scout Candidate Project at Euclid City Hall, 2015

Installed rain garden in parking lot median

Improvements to Website

Improvements to Newsletter (now combined program / FOEC newsletter)

Monthly Email Distribution list eblasts (up to 1,500 on email list) Facebook Page (over 300 Likes!) Twitter – 2016 Goal

Education and Outreach Website / Social Media / Outreach

What’s on the Work Plan

Schedule for 2016?

Claire Posius, CSWCD Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator

$49,977 in Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Funding awarded

Inventory and prioritize sites for habitat restoration in Euclid Creek, part of Area of Concern

Top 5-8 priority sites to have conceptual designs and cost estimates developed by consultant

To have projects ready to go when funding available

Habitat Restoration Planning 2015-16 Project

Plans Needed

to get

Restoration on the Ground!

2013

to

NOW!

Education and Outreach Stream Naming

2007-8 Richmond Heights formally names its Creeks with US Geological Survey

2016 Effort to Name Remaining Unnamed Tributaries in Watershed – Project being led by Charles Sawyer

Upcoming Restoration Opportunities East 185th Street Spillway Retrofit and Restoration Project

Ongoing pursuit of funding since 2007

E. 185th St. Spillway Photo E. 185th St. Spillway Concept

Mayfair Lake Dam Removal and Stream Restoration Project Ongoing pursuit of funding since 2006

Mayfair Lake, Aerial Photo Mayfair Lake Restoration Rough Concept

Thank You! Any Questions?

Claire Posius

Euclid Creek Watershed Coordinator

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District

216-524-6580 x16

Email: cposius@cuyahogaswcd.org

Website: www.EuclidCreekWatershed.org

Facebook: Like ‘Friends of Euclid Creek’

Euclid Creek Watershed Program