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 Ashtabula River Area of Concern

Ashtabula River AoC location map

 

 

 

Background
Beneficial Use Impairments
Delisting Targets
RAP Development and Status
Significant RAP Milestones
RAP Implementation
RAP-Related Publications
Community Involvement
Partners and Stakeholders
Contacts

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 Ashtabula River AoC Boundary Map
Ashtabula River AoC Boundary Map
(PDF 350Kb 1 page)
(click on map to view in separate window)
Ashtabula River Shape File
 

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader.

Background 

Aerial view of the Ashtabula River Harbor and the Area of Concern
Aerial view of the Ashtabula River Harbor and the Area of Concern

The Ashtabula River lies in extreme northeast Ohio, flowing into Lake Erie's central basin at the city of Ashtabula. Its drainage basin covers an area of 137 square miles, with 8.9 square miles in western Pennsylvania. Major tributaries include Fields Brook, Hubbard Run and Ashtabula Creek. Iroquois inhabitants referred to the river as the Hash-tah-buh-lah or “river of many fish." The city of Ashtabula, with an estimated population of 21,633 (Ref: 1990 Census) is the only significant urban center in the watershed, the rest of the drainage basin being predominantly rural and agricultural. There is concentrated industrial development around Fields Brook and east of the river mouth.

From the 1940s through the late '70s, unregulated discharges and mismanagement of hazardous waste caused the river's sediments seriously contaminated and degraded its biological communities. Regular dredging is being prevented due to the contaminated sediments, seriously impeding both commercial and recreational navigation. Since 1983, fish consumption advisory has been posted for the Area of Concern (AoC). In 1988, the Ashtabula River RAP Advisory Council agreed to focus upon an AoC defined as the lower two miles of the Ashtabula River, Ashtabula Harbor and the adjacent Lake Erie nearshore. A variety of agencies and organizations contribute to the Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) including the Ashtabula River Partnership, Ohio Sea Grant, Ashtabula Soil and Water Conservation District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), angler groups, local businesses and industries, marinas, port industries, local governments, economic development offices, Kent State University and unaffiliated citizens.


Beneficial Use Impairments 

Ashtabula River Beneficial Use Impairments

Of the 14 beneficial uses Exit disclaimer, these are impaired for Ashtabula River:

  • Restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption
  • Degradation of fish and wildlife populations
  • Fish tumors or other deformities
  • Degradation of benthos
  • Restriction on dredging activities
  • Loss of fish and wildlife habitat

The lower two miles of the Ashtabula River was designated an Area of Concern due to severe pollution problems. From the 1940s through the late 1970s, unregulated discharges and mismanagement of hazardous waste caused Ashtabula River sediments to become seriously contaminated and degraded its biological communities and threatens the communities in the Outer Harbor and Lake Erie. Major pollutants of concern are mercury, chromium, lead, zinc, and numerous chlorinated organic compounds, particularly PCBs, PAHs and low level radionuclides.

For further information on Ashtabula River beneficial use impairments (BUI), see the RAP documents listed in the Significant RAP Milestones section below.
 

Delisting Targets 

This sign was erected to notify residents of fish consumption advisories for the Ashtabula River AoC
This sign was erected to notify residents of fish consumption advisories for the Ashtabula River AoC.

View of Ashtabula Harbor from mudflats. Walnut Beach has extensive mudflats behind the harbor breakwall. Mudflats provide habitat for Ohio listed rare plant species and shore birds
View of Ashtabula Harbor from mudflats. Walnut Beach has extensive mudflats behind the harbor breakwall. Mudflats provide habitat for Ohio listed rare plant species and shore birds.

In 2005, Ohio EPA Exit disclaimer completed a document offering guidance on developing Delisting Targets for Ohio Areas of Concern Exit disclaimer (PDF 1112Kb 85 pages). The document presents targets and potential milestones based on existing Ohio EPA programs, rules, regulations, policy and guidance. Ohio RAP groups are encouraged to use this document to adopt targets and milestones specific to their Area of Concern. Delisting the Ashtabula River AoC may also involve other state and federal authorities including, but not limited to, CERCLA - Natural Resource Damage Assessment Exit disclaimer(NRDA).


RAP Development and Status

The Ashtabula River RAP process began in 1988 with the establishment of the Ashtabula River RAP Advisory Council. Years of unregulated discharge and mismanagement of hazardous wastes along the river and Fields Brook (a Superfund site) seriously contaminated sediments and degraded biological communities. The lower two miles of the river and outer harbor comprise the Area of Concern (AoC). The 1991 Stage 1 Report documented 6 of 14 beneficial uses impaired, all related to contaminated sediments. Both the commercial and recreational uses of the river were in danger of being shut down because there was no disposal site for contaminated sediments if they were dredged. An interim dredging project in 1993 removed several feet of relatively uncontaminated surface sediments to keep the recreational harbor open. An Ashtabula River Partnership Exit disclaimer (ARP) was created in 1994 as a comprehensive, structured, concentrated effort to get the river dredged, and as an alternative to the impending designation of the river as an extension of the Fields Brook superfund site. A coordinating committee was established as well as several technical committees, and a local coordinator was hired. A non-profit Ashtabula River Foundation was incorporated in 1997 to manage financing for the river cleanup. Since 1990, extensive sediment characterization studies have been done, including: mapping of pollutant concentrations (particularly PCBs); estimation of sediment volume to be removed; delineation of PAH distribution; TCLP testing to ensure sediments did not qualify as hazardous waste; screening for low level radioactive waste; modeling sediment transport, scouring and deposition rates, sediment dewatering, sediment additives. A creative mix of funding in excess of $2.5 million from local partners, U.S. EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. EPA-GLNPO and Ohio EPA Exit disclaimer provided seed funding for initial ARP formation, and allowed for preparation of a final Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (CMP/EIS), detailed engineering design of the disposal facility, and all the aforementioned studies. Extensive reviews of all agencies’ authorities were conducted to determine critical decision points and whose responsibility they would be. The River Partnership continues to meet monthly and is focused almost exclusively upon project implementation.
 

This aerial photograph shows the section of the Ashtabula River that will be cleaned up as part of the Great Lakes Legacy Act project
This aerial photograph shows the section of the Ashtabula River that will be cleaned up as part of the Great Lakes Legacy Act project

The main channel of the Ashtabula River, looking south. The majority of the sediment removal will occur in this stretch of river and the turning basin that lies beyond the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge (see arrow)
The main channel of the Ashtabula River, looking south. The majority of the sediment removal will occur in this stretch of river and the turning basin that lies beyond the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge (see arrow).

The federally authorized channel of the Ashtabula River, downstream of the 5th Street Bridge, looking north toward Lake Erie. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are responsible for maintaining navigational depth in this reach of the river, into Ashtabula Harbor
The federally authorized channel of the Ashtabula River, downstream of 5th Street Bridge, looking north toward Lake Erie. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are responsible for maintaining navigational depth in this reach of the river, into Ashtabula Harbor

View from 6th Street, looking west. The Norfolk Southern rail yard can be seen in the foreground, with the Ashtabula Yacht Club directly across the river
View from 6th Street, looking west. The Norfolk Southern rail yard can be seen in the foreground, with the Ashtabula Yacht Club directly across the river.

Significant RAP Milestones   Exit disclaimer

RAP Implementation

Recent Progress and Achievements

Current Projects and Outlook

Since the Great Lakes Legacy Act project has been initiated, a rapid final design phase will commence. Work will begin with acquisition of disposal services and the construction of facilities for transferring and dewatering dredged sediments. Dredging would begin in the second year.
 

The 5th Street Bridge looking upstream (southeast) on the Ashtabula River. The 5th Street Bridge serves as the boundary of the Ashtabula River Great Lakes Legacy Act Project
The 5th Street Bridge looking upstream (southeast) on the Ashtabula River. The 5th Street Bridge serves as the boundary of the Ashtabula River Great Lakes Legacy Act Project.

RAP-Related Publications

The following historical documents may also be available from one of the Ashtabula River AoC Contacts listed below.

U.S. EPA-GLNPO's research vessel, the Mudpuppy, conducts sediment sampling in the Ashtabula River
U.S. EPA-GLNPO's research vessel, the Mudpuppy, conducts sediment sampling in the Ashtabula River.


Community/Local RAP Group Involvement 

The Ashtabula RAP Council and River Partnership share many members in common, and accordingly collaborate on awareness, educational and public involvement opportunities for the local community. Both RAP and ARP presentations are made all year long to civic, school, business, environmental and professional groups via the Speakers Bureau. To schedule a talk from either group or obtain information, interested parties may refer to the Ashtabula River AoC Contacts at the end of this document. Newsletters are mailed out to more than 500 stakeholders semiannually. The RAP also participates in local events (cleanups, festivals, etc.) with other groups whose focus is on the Ashtabula River and Lake Erie and their resources.
 

Partners and Stakeholders Exit disclaimer


Ashtabula River AoC Contacts

U.S. EPA RAP Liaison:
Danielle Green
U.S. EEPA - Region 5
77 W. Jackson Blvd. (G-17J)
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Tel:  (312) 886-7594
Fax: (312) 353-2018
Email: green.danielle@epa.gov

U.S. EPA-GLNPO Contact:
Scott Cieniawski
U.S. EPA Region 5
77 W. Jackson Blvd. (G-17J)
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Tel: (312) 353-9184
Email: cieniawski.scott@epa.gov

State RAP Contact:
Ted Conlin, Ashtabula River RAP Coordinator
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Northeast District Office
2110 East Aurora Road
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
Tel:  (330) 963-1131
Fax: (330) 487-0769
Email: ted.conlin@epa.state.oh.us

Ashtabula River Partnership Contact:
Rick Brewer, Coordinator
1123 Bridge Street
Ashtabula, OH 44044
Tel: (440) 964-0277
Email: rbrewer@suite224.net

 

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