1. Jeff Hines, Chief Ohio EPA Southwest District

2. Southwest District Features  One of the nation’s most prolific aquifer systems  Many high quality scenic rivers  Land use ranging from urban to agricultural  Air, land and water challenged by over 2.5 million people  Diverse industrial and commercial activities  An extensive transportation network

3. Decades of Change  100 years ago, these species had been extirpated in Ohio: beaver, bison, black bears, elk, mountain lions, snowshoe hares, prairie chickens, Trumpeter Swans, wild turkeys, wolves, and… deer!  100 years ago, 83% of the forest cover that existed in Ohio at the time of European settlement had been cut down – about 20 million trees.

4. Decades of Change  100 years ago, raw sewage poured into our water.  30 years ago, Sandhill cranes, osprey and otters had also been extirpated in Ohio.  By 1979, only four pairs of bald eagles were nesting in Ohio.  30 years ago, reforestation efforts begun during the Great Depression have restored about 4 million trees and improved habitat in some areas.

5. Decades of Change  30 years ago, deer and wild turkeys have been reintroduced, some sightings of beaver, bear, and coyotes.  Although primary sewage treatment was in place throughout most of Ohio 30 years ago, dilution was still widely considered to be the solution to pollution.  Cuyahoga River caught fire 4 times between 1952 and 1969.

6. Decades of Change  During the 1970’s only about 22% of Ohio rivers and streams fully supported aquatic life.  Ohio had some of the worst air pollution in the nation during the early 1970’s: 44 air pollution alerts in 1975 (32 in Steubenville).  30 years ago, most garbage in Ohio went into unlined dumpsites that were only minimally regulated.

7. Decades of Change  Hazardous waste disposal was largely unregulated 30 years ago.  By 2008, 222 eaglets were fledged from a modern record of 184 bald eagle nests (up from 4 nests in 1979). Nests are found in 43 of Ohio’s 88 counties.  Banning lead from gasoline means that a 5- year old today has an 85% lower median concentration of lead in her blood than a 5- year old in 1976.

8. Decades of Change  Ohio has 10 scenic rivers comprising more than 629 river miles; the fourth largest total among the 50 states.  Aquatic life uses restored in 1000 miles of streams in Ohio since 1988. Large rivers have almost met the 80% attainment by 2010 aquatic life goal (78.7% compared to 21% in 1970s).

9. Decades of Change  Ohio EPA is a nationally recognized leader in water quality monitoring methodology.  Sanitary Landfills are now highly engineered and regulated.  Hazardous Waste now regulated cradle-to- grave, older Superfund sites being cleaned up.

10. Decades of Change  Ohio is 10 th of 50 states in the number of sites on the National Priority List for Superfund cleanups.  3 of the nation’s top 20 facilities with toxic releases are in Ohio.  Ohio is #1 of the 50 states in trucking accidents involving hazardous materials.

11. Current Challenges  Greenhouse Gases (Global Climate Change)  Non-Point Source Pollution (Nutrients / HABs)

12. Solid Waste Program Update  C & DD Landfill Rules  Beneficial Use Rules  Waste-To-Energy (WTE) facilities

13. Hazardous Waste Program Update  213 new and revised rules became effective on September 5 th.  Recycling facilities have 72 hours to process.  Academic laboratory generator standards.  Universal Waste now includes more mercury containing equipment.  Over 60 Burden Reduction rules are included.  Visit www.epa.ohio.gov/dhwm to review.www.epa.ohio.gov/dhwm

14. Hazardous Waste Program Challenges  Corrective Actions  Environmental Sustainability  Cessation of Regulated Operations (CRO)  Coal Combustion Waste ?