Potential wetlands impacts from a proposed sewer interceptor line in Mentor will be the focus of an Aug. 11, 2016 public information session and hearing. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Mentor Municipal Center, City Council Chambers on the third floor, 8500 Civic Center Boulevard, Mentor.
The meeting will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions and submit comments concerning the application submitted by the Board of Lake County Commissioners to replace an existing sewer line within and adjacent to Mentor Marsh.
If the project is approved, Lake County could impact 1.9 acres of wetlands but would be required to preserve, restore or replace wetland resources to mitigate any approved impacts. Ohio EPA also will consider other alternatives that result in less or no impact to area water quality.
Anyone planning to discharge, dredge or use fill material in a way that impacts waters of the state must first obtain a water quality certification from Ohio EPA and a permit from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Ohio EPA reviews the project to ensure it will comply with Ohio’s water quality standards.
The proposed project may result in a change from current water quality conditions, but cannot violate Ohio’s water quality standards that protect human health and the environment. Ohio EPA will consider technical, economic, social and environmental aspects of the project before deciding whether to issue or deny a water quality certification. The application and related materials are available for review by calling (614) 644-2001.
Comments on the application may be offered at the hearing or submitted in writing to: epa.dswcomments@epa.ohio.gov or Ohio EPA-DSW, Attention: Permits Processing Unit, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049. The public comment period for the application ends August 18, 2016.