Title
RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE INCORPORATION OF THE COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN FACILITIES PLAN UPDATE INTO ALL RELEVANT SECTION 208 AREA-WIDE WASTE TREATMENT PLANS, AND TO AMEND THE OHIO WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN TO REFLECT THIS INCORPORATION.
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WHEREAS, the Columbus Metropolitan Facilities Plan Update addresses regional wastewater management needs through 2020 for the largely urban and suburban Columbus Metropolitan Facilities Planning Area (MFPA), and has a goal of protecting our water quality while meeting the demands of regional growth; and
WHEREAS, extensive public funds and time were expended over a 2 year period to update the Columbus Plan, including seeking the input of stakeholders throughout Franklin County and receiving the support of 15 municipalities representing 80% of the population of the MFPA for the final plan update, as well as the support of MORPC; and
WHEREAS, the existing centralized sewer systems have the capacity to treat wastewater throughout the area with an area-wide waste treatment management that has been recognized by Congress under the terms of the Clean Water Act to be the environmentally superior method of wastewater treatment; and
WHEREAS, alternative wastewater treatment systems which dispose of treated wastewater by a method other than a direct discharge to surface water under the authority of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, distort and impede the development of the existing centralized sewer systems and are banned under the Columbus Plan Update; and
WHEREAS, alternative wastewater treatment systems are not environmentally suited to much of the land inside the MFPA and are not regulated by the Ohio EPA other than the initial Permit to Install; and
WHEREAS, alternative wastewater treatment systems are inappropriate to urban areas and could promote the rapid conversion of remaining rural and agricultural land into developments of subdivisions at suburban densities, a practice in direct contrast to good land use planning; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is charged with the responsibility of protecting the environment and following the provisions of the Clean Water Act; and
WHEREAS, City Council would strongly urge the Ohio EPA to support the planning decisions made by the overwhelming majority of jurisdictions that united collaboratively to develop a consensus; and
WHEREAS, the future environmental quality of Central Ohio will be directly impacted by the Ohio EPA's decision in this area;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That this Council and Administration does hereby urge the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to incorporate the Columbus Metropolitan Facilities Plan Update into all relevant Section 208 area-wide waste treatment plans and to amend Ohio's Water Quality Management Plan within the earliest possible time frame to reflect this incorporation.
Section 2. That the Clerk of Council is hereby directed to forward copies of this Resolution to Governor Bob Taft, State Senator David Goodman, State Representative James F. McGregor and other central Ohio State Senate and House members.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon passage by this Council.