To the Editor:
I often hear people, occasionally myself included, talk of how flat and boring the terrain of this part of Ohio is. But, in fact, this part of Ohio has some very interesting ecosystems -- ecosystems that have been called the "ancient forests" of the Midwest. These are wetlands: bogs, fens, marshes. Wetlands provide habitat for countless species of plants and animals. They have unique filtering abilities that allow them to clean pollution from water, and they provide vital flood control which has become a major issue in Ohio with the recent flooding. Unfortunately, about 90-95 percent of Ohio's wetlands have been destroyed according to the US EPA. Wetlands are protected under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. In order to fill and build on a wetland (which is how most are destroyed) one must obtain a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Ohio EPA is in charge of overseeing this permit process and ensuring only a minimal number of wetlands are damaged. However, the Ohio EPA is not living up to its name. Recently, the OEPA recertified Nation Wide Permit 26 which allows the destruction of up to .3 acres of "isolated or head water wetlands or headland streams" without notification and up to 3 acres with notification. This is a significant acreage of wetlands. Many other states including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin did not recertify this permit so there is no good reason why Ohio should allow this kind of unchecked destruction. The Ohio EPA is creating a system to classify wetlands into three categories which will determine which wetlands can be built on. These Wetlands Water Quality Standards may actually increase the destruction of wetlands. Originally a fourth category of wetlands was created which would include high quality bogs and fens that would be completely off limits from destruction, but this category no longer remains. Potentially, all wetlands can be built on. The new system also allows for many wetlands to be put in a first category for which a permit to build can easily be obtained. The new standards also do not provide adequate mitigation (the creation of another wetland to replace a destroyed one) for wetlands that have been destroyed. Those who build on wetlands are allowed to create a mitigation wetland more than 100 miles away in a completely different watershed. If placed so far away, this mitigation wetland does not make up for the loss of flood control and local species habitat.
The rules protecting wetlands are complex, but the bottom line is that wetlands need to be protected. While a certain amount of development is necessary, society must control its outward sprawl. The new standards will most likely weaken wetland protection, not strengthen it. The Ohio EPA must be responsible for its job of environmental protection. The Ohio EPA is accepting comments regarding the proposed wetlands Water Quality Standards. Let's work to protect wetlands for everyone, for "children," and even more importantly for the many plants, animals and other organisms that depend on them for life.
Copyright © 1997, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 125, Number 22, April 25, 1997
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