Environmental Planning

NEFCO is known as an Areawide Planning Agency under the Section 208 of the federal Clean Water Act and is charged with maintaining the Region’s Clean Water Plan referred to as the 208 Plan. As an Areawide, NEFCO’s General Policy Board controls wastewater planning in the Region and receives federal and state funding from the Ohio EPA.

The environmental needs of our members, the availability of grants or other funding and the responsibilities that go with federal, state and local determinations shape NEFCO’s environmental planning program. NEFCO does not have the resources to address every environmental challenge but we work in collaboration with the Region’s governments, businesses and citizens to assist in identifying the problem and in developing options towards solutions. If you have an environmental problem in your area of interest, please contact any member of the environmental staff for assistance.

Does NEFCO have grant money for my project?

NEFCO does not distribute grant funding. NEFCO can provide technical assistance in certain situations.

What is a 208 Plan?

Under the federal Clean Water Act and Ohio Revised Code, Ohio EPA cannot issue a Permit-to-Install (PTI), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, or Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) monies for wastewater projects that are in conflict with a 208 Plan. Please visit Clean Water Plan Overview for additional information.

Why is NEFCO’s 208 Plan environmentally important to the region?

Why is the 208 Plan important for economic development in the region?

Ohio EPA cannot legally issue a Permit-to-Install (PTI) for wastewater projects that are in conflict with a 208 Plan. Doing so would be a violation of the federal Clean Water Act and Ohio Revised Code. Examples of projects that require a PTI from Ohio EPA are wastewater treatment plant upgrades and expansions, and sanitary sewer extensions. New residential and commercial development often requires a PTI from Ohio EPA since sanitary sewer extensions are often needed, and in some cases, wastewater treatment plant upgrades and expansions are also needed to transport and properly treat the resulting wastewater stream. Please visit Clean Water Plan Overview for additional information.

What is point source pollution?

Any discernable conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, or conduit, from which pollutants are or can be discharged.

How is NEFCO involved in point and nonpoint pollution studies and activities?

When NEFCO prepares watershed studies or plans, we document the locations of both types of pollution if possible, or we emphasize the potential distribution of the pollution believed to be there. The types and extent of this pollution are key to the potential steps for reducing or eliminating the problems identified in the study.

What is NEFCO doing regarding the region’s stormwater problems?

NEFCO recognizes the significance of this problem in the region and discusses this challenge in all of our water quality reports. Staff has urged continued stormwater education of all parties involved in the development process; the goal being to increase awareness of methods for reducing stormwater runoff from development projects, including the use of natural solutions such as wetlands (green infrastructure), instead of the more typical, concrete structure (grey infrastructure). We have worked cooperatively with our county soil and water conservation districts and county engineers who have the responsibility for addressing stormwater problems in their counties. NEFCO staff is currently a member of a flooding task force for one of our larger municipalities.

Does NEFCO have the authority to force governments to follow the recommendations in its plans or studies?

No, but NEFCO does use collaboration to demonstrate the shared positive impact that our recommendations can have on affected counties and/or local governments.

Can I inform NEFCO of a water quality or pollution study that’s needed for my community or watershed?

Yes! Please contact our staff and we will discuss the project or study need with you. This information will be used in forming future work programs or grant applications. If the requested study/project is not something that NEFCO is able to do, we will inform you of that and explain why.