Spring peepers and other amphibians need wetlands for food, shelter, and safety.

Ohio’s environment needs your help. Make your voice heard during the 401 public comment period.

What is the 401 program and what is the rulemaking process? Click here to find out.

Currently, the rules package can be viewed on the Ohio EPA’s website. The interested party comment period has ended and the Agency is reviewing the submitted comments.

Additionally, the Agency formed two External Advisory Working Groups-one for wetlands and one for streams. OEC attended all of these meetings and fought for stronger avoidance criteria, mitigation performance standards and in-watershed mitigation.

However, we need your help to ensure the Ohio EPA produces strong protections. To read OEC’s comment letters, click here.

You can make a difference!

Print and sign this letter (PDF) supporting strong wetlands protections, or write your own letter.
Fax it to the OEC at 614-487-7510
Attn: David Celebrezze or mail it to
OEC, Attn: David Celebrezze, 1207 Grandview Ave., Ste. 201, Columbus, OH 43212-3449.
Please send your letter to OEC by April 15, 2008.

A healthy stream can provide food for much wildlife.

OEC will present all the letters of support to the Agency at once.

The draft rules package negatives:

• Does not increase mitigation ratios.
• Does not strengthen or clarify the EPA director’s authority to deny a permit.
• Curtails public participation.
• Does not help local communities with the loss of stormwater capacity.

The draft rules package positives:

• Does incorporate sound science to protect headwater streams.
• Does call for more monitoring to ensure the mitigated wetland is functioning as a wetland.

Bald Eagles rely on healthy wetlands, lakes, and streams for food.

The EPA needs to address the following:

• Mitigation
• Jurisdiction
• Protective Conditions
• Permit Report
• Water Quality Issues
• Enforcement

If you have any questions about the process or commenting, please contact David R. Celebrezze, Director of Air and Water Special Projects for the Ohio Environmental Council, at (614) 487-7506 or david@theOEC.org.

Healthy wetlands filter sediment from choking our streams and slow flood waters.