Lakeview Beach Green Infrastructure Grant
Content
City of Lorain, Ohio Lakeview Beach Green Infrastructure Grant Narrative Statement/Workplan
Introduction Lorain, Ohio is a shoreline city located within the central basin of Lake Erie. According to the 2010 Census, Lorain had a population of 64,097. As reported by the U.S. Census Bureau 20072011 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, the City of Lorain has a staggering 29% of individuals living below the poverty level, nearly twice the level of the State of Ohio. The median household income is $34,769, over $13,300 below the median for Ohio and nearly $18,000 below the national median. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Lorain reached a 10-year high of 12.8% in September 2010. While the current unemployment level for the City has declined, the latest rate of 10.6% reported for June 2013 is still well above the state and national averages. Further, as of 2013, 55.2% of the population within the City is low to moderate income (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and the City is designated as distressed and a priority investment area by the Ohio Development Services Agency. The City of Lorain and their local partners, Lorain County, Lorain Port Authority, and Lorain County Metro Parks have taken measures to improve water quality and habitat along the Black River and Lake Erie. These partners have implemented over 10 projects that directly improve water quality in Lake Erie since 2010. Many of these projects have been funded through grants provided by the U.S. EPA. Without this assistance from the U.S. EPA many of these projects could not have been implemented due to the local economic constraints described above. The City of Lorain is faced with many problems that not only affect water quality and habitat but also human health. Problems that affect human health take top priority for the City. One such problem is Escherichia coli (E coli) bacteria contamination on Lake Erie beaches. This problem is common among many lakefront communities and it threatens the health of beach goers. Lakeview Park is located on land owned by the City of Lorain and is leased to the Lorain County Metro Parks who operate the park and beach area (Figure 1). Lakeview Park offers 20 acres along the lakeshore for swimming and sunbathing, lawn bowling, beach volleyball, and picnicking. The park includes a restaurant, the historical rose garden, and a small concert amphitheater. The park is also host to triathlons and weddings. Lakeview Park is one of the few public access areas along the lakeshore and is therefore considered one of the greatest assets in Lorain and the central basin of Lake Erie. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) collects water quality samples on 25 beaches along central and eastern Lake Erie. The following is an excerpt from the CCBH program:
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Water samples are collected at beaches to check for levels of E. coli bacteria. E. coli is a group of bacteria that is commonly found in the intestinal tracts of man and other warm-blooded animals and is therefore used as a sign of water contamination. Many types of E. coli are harmless, but the presence of this bacteria may indicate that disease-causing organisms are also present. Water quality results are used to decide whether or not waters are okay for swimming. A result of 235 (CFU/100mL) is used as the benchmark to make this decision. Results that are lower than 235 mean that the water quality is GOOD. Results that are 235 and higher mean that the water quality is POOR. If the water quality is POOR, a "Water Quality Advisory" will be issued. During an Advisory, full body contact (putting your head under water) is not recommended for children, the elderly, and those in poor health. When bacteria levels are high, it is possible to develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, and ear, nose, and throat infections. Open cuts or wounds can also become infected if they are not properly protected. A Water Quality Advisory typically consists of the posting of a sign at the beach. The sign stays posted until the advisory is no longer needed. This is decided when the next GOOD sample result is obtained. The CCBH samples Lakeview beach on a daily basis and in 2011 they sampled the City’s stormwater outfall on the west side of the beach. The west outfall is thought to be a significant source of E coli bacteria contamination at Lakeview beach due to the west to east prevailing wind direction. The 2011 sampling events found that the west outfall was a significant source of E coli. The highest result was 37,000 CFU/100mL for a sample that was collected following 0.38 inches of rainfall in the prior 24 hours. The low result was 47 CFU/100mL for a sample that was collected following 0.35 inches of rainfall in the prior 72 hours. According to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Ohio ranks 30th out of 30 states in beach water quality and 21% of samples exceeded national standards for designated beach areas in 2012 http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/oh.asp. In addition, Lakeview beach is sampled once a day during the swimming season, which according to the NRDC, was 94 days in 2012. Of the 94 days during the swimming season the beach had notifications on 53 days or 52% of the time, well over the state and national averages. In addition, according to the CCBH’s 2013 water quality sampling data, Lakeview has had 87 days of summer swimming and of those days the beach has had 64 days of advisories (data as of 8/23/13 http://publicapps.odh.ohio.gov/BeachGuardPublic/BeachDetail.aspx?BeachID=151). Therefore, the City of Lorain is interested in advancing the solution to the common lakefront problem of beach closures due to E coli bacteria contamination through the use of sustainable green infrastructure. The need to solve the bacteria contamination issue not only at Lakeview Beach but across the Lake Erie basin is significant. The beaches must be safe for public recreation if the general public is going to believe the efforts to improve water quality and restore habitat have been worthwhile.
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The City of Lorain is proposing to advance the solution to the common lakefront problem of beach closures due to E coli bacteria contamination by implementing a “green” water quality treatment system within Lakeview Park that can be used as an example for other beaches on Lake Erie and within all of the Great Lakes. This water quality treatment system will be designed to mimic natural systems through the use of a shoreline wetland sand filter. Proposed pre-treatment measures will also include the removal of trash, debris, suspended solids and disinfection. 1) Describe the green infrastructure measure(s) to be installed/implemented and the specific public property/properties where the project(s) will be installed/implemented. The stormwater treatment system will consist of a wetland sand filter, an outfall/headwall discharging into the wetland, an approximately 450-foot of 12-inch stormwater pipe, a pretreatment device, a diversion structure within the existing 36-inch stormwater pipe, and an approximately 50-foot long connection pipe (Figure 2). Each of the components is discussed in greater detail below. The treatment system will be implemented within Lakeview Park. Lakeview Park is owned by the City of Lorain and operated by the Lorain County Metro Parks. A letter of support from the Lorain County Metro Parks is included with this application. The wetland sand filter will be placed at the existing beach level and will be approximately 30 feet wide by 120 feet long. An average of 2 feet of sand will be imported and placed on top of the existing sand. This will provide for a depth of sand that is approximately 5 feet above the Long Term Monthly Mean water level (June has the highest monthly mean at 572 ft IGLD – NOAA/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, data from 1918-2008). The wetland sand filter will be designed so that there will not be standing water within the wetland. The intent will be for the stormwater to infiltrate below the surface of the wetland in 24 hours so as not to attract birds (especially gulls) and other water seeking wildlife. This precaution is necessary due to the fact that the likely source of the bacteria is wildlife. As shown on Figure 2 this area is protected by a jetty to the east and a breakwall out in the lake. Large rock boulders will be placed around the exterior of the wetland that will encompass the wetland to protect it from potential wave, wind and ice damage. A geotextile and smaller rock will be used to hold the sand in place around the exterior of the wetland; however, the bottom of the wetland will be free for infiltration to occur through the sand. An emergency overflow will consist of a low spot along the exterior of the wetland. Topsoil will be placed on top of the sand for plant growth. The wetland will be planted with native herbaceous plants such as those listed in the following table.
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Common Name Switchgrass Riparian Wildrye Virginia Wildrye Canada Wildrye Sand Dropseed American Germander Blue Vervain White Vervain Boneset Whorled Loosestrife Fringed Loosestrife Blue Flag Iris
Scientific Name Panicum virgatum Elymus riparius Elymus virginicus Elymus canadensis Sporobolus cryptandrus Teucrium canadense Verbena hastata Verbena urticifolia Eupatorium perfoliatum Lysimachia quadrifolia Lysimachia ciliata Iris versicolor
A new stormwater pipe headwall will be constructed approximately 1 foot above the wetland sand surface for the proposed 12” stormwater pipe discharge. The headwall will be concrete with a flap gate and rock apron that will be placed within the wetland. A new 12-inch conveyance pipe for the stormwater will connect the headwall at the wetland and the pre-treatment device. This new pipe will be approximately 450 feet long. The pre-treatment device will consist of a buried vault that includes trash, debris and suspended solids removal as well as disinfection for bacteria using one of three potential technologies including ultraviolet light, ozone gas or an anti-microbial sponge. Preliminary removal efficiencies and cost estimates have been obtained from multiple suppliers for preparation of this proposal. The details of these technologies will be investigated further during the assessment phase of the project to choose the most effective pre-treatment technology. This pre-treatment device is necessary because the surface area required for disinfection solely using a natural system such as a wetland is not feasible in an ultra urban environment. The system will be sized to capture dry and smaller wet weather flows through the use of a diversion structure to divert flow into the treatment system. An approximately 50-foot connector pipe between the existing 36-inch pipe and the pre-treatment system will also be necessary to divert the flow. The existing 36-inch pipe will continue to be used for high flows. High flows will bypass the treatment system by flowing over the diversion structure and to the existing outfall on Lake Erie. This is a typical safeguard to prevent overloading the treatment system.
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Ultraviolet light and ozone gas are commonly used disinfection technologies. The use of antimicrobial sponges for bacterial disinfection is a newer technology that is very promising. The sponge technologies can remove additional constituents such as hydrocarbons and grease that are typically present in stormwater. The anti-microbial sponge also does not require electricity, but does require routine maintenance and replacement of the sponges that are “spent”. One supplier of this technology is AbTech and their Smart Sponge Plus (USEPA Registration # 862561) which is marketed by AbTech as the future of economical, efficient, flexible and sustainable green technologies for stormwater treatment. 2) Describe the way(s) in which the green infrastructure project(s) will improve Great Lakes Water Quality. As discussed above, bacteria contamination of Lake Erie beaches is a major problem in Ohio and throughout the Great Lakes. Major efforts are underway to improve the habitat and water quality within Lake Erie and the Great Lakes. However, if the beaches are not safe for swimming the rest of the efforts will not be viewed as constructive by the average citizen. Therefore, investments in sustainable technologies to solve the bacteria contamination issues at the Great Lakes beaches are critical. This project will improve the water quality at Lakeview Beach in the City of Lorain through a reduction in E coli bacteria, trash, debris and suspended solids. Potential reductions in hydrocarbons and grease are also possible. The reduction in E coli will occur through the pretreatment disinfection and a prolonged detention time in the wetland sand filter where the bacteria will decay over time. 3) Include an affirmation that the green infrastructure measure(s) to be installed are not required by a permit or enforcement order. Non-point source identification of bacteria contamination in stormwater is not a requirement under Lorain’s NPDES Stormwater MS4 Program. The source of the E coli bacteria contamination at Lakeview Beach is likely from non-point sources such as animal waste including dogs, birds, deer and other wildlife. This preliminary determination is based on the fact that the headwaters of the stormwater drainage area for this outfall at Lakeview Beach is an open channel that flows through forested and open field areas. In addition, there are stormwater inlets within the Lakeview Park that collect runoff from open grass areas, ball fields, picnic areas and parking lots. Of particular interest as a potential source is the heavy activity of Gulls (Larus sp.) at Lakeview Park. The birds are a nuisance at the park and Lorain County Metro Parks is investigating methods to lessen their presence. The City of Lorain has a proactive program in place for illicit sanitary discharges to their stormwater system. The City will investigate the source of the E coli contamination as a separate project prior to the design of this treatment system. The City is not under an enforcement order to resolve this issue at Lakeview Park.
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4) Identify any non-governmental or private sector partners involved in the project(s). There are no non-governmental or private sector partners involved in the project at this time. 5) Describe the processes that will be used to locate, design, and install the green infrastructure project(s). The location of the treatment system will be within the 20-acre park adjacent to the existing stormwater pipe and outfall on the beach (as shown on Figure 2). Preliminary estimates on flow rates and system sizing have been calculated; however, the project assessment and design tasks will be used to determine the detailed flow requirements and system sizing as well as to define the treatment system limitations. Task 1 – Assessment and Monitoring (September 2013 to November 2014) Assessment activities will include preparation of a Quality Assurance Project Plan; existing data review; outfall and beach water quality sampling; outfall flow rate determination; and topographic surveying. Existing data that will be reviewed includes as-built sanitary and storm sewer plans, Cuyahoga County Board of Health sampling data, and any other pertinent data that is discovered during the initiation of the project. The existing 36” diameter storm sewer will be sampled at the outfall on Lake Erie for E coli bacteria, total fecal coliform bacteria, total suspended solids, oil and grease, hydrocarbons, and detergent surfactants. Additional constituents may be added as determined necessary during Task 1. An estimate of the amount of sediment and debris coming from the storm sewer will be obtained from Metro Parks’ beach cleaning personnel as well as visual assessment during water quality sampling. These assessment activities are proposed in order to establish the design criteria baseline for the treatment system. Topography and critical points for design will be collected by a registered surveyor during this task. The City will work with the Lorain County Metro Parks on bird deterrent systems, and additional sampling at the beach with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to determine the percentage of bacterial contamination coming from the gulls present on the beach or other sources of bacteria. An alternatives analysis will be performed once the data from Task 1 has been compiled and checked for quality assurance. The alternatives analysis will be used to determine which type of pre-treatment system (Smart Sponge, Ozone, UV, etc.) is best suited for this specific project based on the sampling data. The City is proposing to take 3 trips to existing bacteria treatment systems at beaches that have been successful at removing E coli bacteria. This analysis will include cost estimates, operation and maintenance guidelines, and predicted performance. The wetland sand filter sizing will also be finalized based on the size of storm that can be captured for treatment. Native plants will be selected and the number of each will be
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determined. Rock and sand sizes will be determined along with the amount of topsoil that should be mixed in for plant growth. A recommendation memorandum will be provided by the engineering firm that will be selected to assist the City with the project. Task 2 – Design, Permitting and Public Outreach (December 2014 to June 2015) The design is anticipated to include 11 to 15 AutoCad drawing sheets as well as construction documents for public bidding. Details to be provided during the design include confirmation of pipe sizing and layout; headwall and diversion structure typicals; wetland plan view and cross section drawings; a planting plan; and sediment and erosion control plans and typicals. The treatment system will be designed with considerable attention to long-term operation and maintenance requirements. The design will also include temporary and permanent project signage to be installed in the park during and after construction. Permits will also be required for this project including Coastal Zone Management approval from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, a Clean Water Act Section 404 Nationwide Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a traffic control permit from the City. The City will work with an engineering firm to prepare the permits, design and construction bid package. Once the design details are finalized the City and Lorain County Metro Parks will provide materials on their respective webpages for public education. Outreach will consist of newspaper articles and informational flyers prepared for the project and circulated at the park restaurant and bath house. The webpages will be updated once construction is complete. Task 3 – Construction (July 2015 to November 2015) This task includes the public solicitation of a qualified contractor to implement the design through the City’s public bidding process. The contractor will be required to provide qualifications on the types of components to be implemented. The City and their engineering firm will provide construction oversight. The contractor will be required to install a temporary sign during construction and the permanent educational signage. Both will describe the project purpose and benefits, and name the funding agency (US EPA) and project partners (City of Lorain and Lorain County Metro Parks). Construction will be substantially complete by November of 2015 with the spring and summer of 2016 reserved for re-planting vegetation and minor tweaking to the system. Task 4 – Post Construction Monitoring (May 2016 to November 2016) Post-construction monitoring will consist of sampling the stormwater pipe prior to pretreatment, sampling the outfall prior to discharge into the wetland, and sampling the beach water quality. The same sample parameters that are used for pre-construction monitoring will be sampled during the post-construction monitoring. The City will continue to work with the LCMP and CCBH on additional sampling at the beach. Task 5 – Operation and Maintenance Manual (October to November 2016) This task includes preparation of an operation and maintenance manual for the City. The manual will cover the entire treatment system, including the pre-treatment system and the
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wetland sand filter. This manual will establish operational guidelines and maintenance requirements for the treatment system, including performance optimization recommendations, maintenance schedules and routines, as well as a schedule/log for refining the manual. Depending on which type of pre-treatment is implemented (UV, ozone, or sponge), the manual will include reference to the manufacturer’s recommendations for operation and maintenance. The City along with the engineering firm will prepare this manual to be system-specific, considering items such local weather conditions, wildlife deterrents and wind/wave action. Task 6 – Final Report (December 2016) The final report will be prepared and submitted to the US EPA in December of 2016. This final report will provide information on the pre-treatment device, the sizing of the wetland sand filter and quantification of the design retention capacity of the wetland sand filter, and any cobenefits of the project including jobs created or retained. 6) Describe any public participation that will be carried out in conjunction with the siting, design, and implementation of the green infrastructure project(s). The City of Lorain and Lorain County Metro Parks will provide project outreach and education as part of this project. Project information will be placed on both entities webpages both before and after the project is completed. A temporary informational sign will be placed in the park during construction and a permanent educational sign will be placed in the park after the system is operational. The City and/or Metro Parks will also provide information to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and any other communities that are interested to help support others who have the same issue at their public beaches. 7) Estimate the retention capacity of the green infrastructure project(s) to be installed, expressed in gallons. The retention capacity of the wetland sand filter is calculated as approximately 40,392 gallons. The wetland is approximately 30 feet wide by 120 feet long by 5 feet deep. The sand will be specified to have a porosity of at least 30% which equates to 40,392 gallons. 8) Describe the steps the city will take to ensure the green infrastructure project(s) will be preserved (kept in a green infrastructure use, and not converted to hardscape) for at least 15 years. The project will be located in Lakeview Park, a designated park within the City of Lorain. Lakeview Park has been Lorain’s most celebrated park since 1917. There are no current or future plans to change the park from its current use. The wetland sand filter will be located just above the beach level where placing a hardscape or impervious surface is very unlikely due to its proximity to the lake. 9) Describe the steps the city will take to ensure the green infrastructure project(s) will be properly maintained for a period of at least 15 years.
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The City of Lorain is committed to advancing a solution for bacterial contamination of beaches and desires to control the bacteria coming from this particular outfall to the maximum extent practicable. Barring a natural disaster that would eliminate the system and potentially the beach, the City will maintain the system for its effective life and/or at least 15 years. It should be noted that Hurricane Sandy had a significant effect on Lake Erie in 2012 which did not destroy this beach area. The City is committed to the regular maintenance of the pretreatment system and the infiltration wetland. Task 5 includes preparation of an operation and maintenance manual for the City. 10) Provide for a final report, to be submitted at the conclusion of the grant-funded work. The final report should include information on the number/size of the green infrastructure measure(s) installed and their locations, and a quantification of the design retention capacity of the green infrastructure measure(s) installed (expressed in gallons). The final report should also provide information on the co-benefits associated with the green infrastructure measure(s), including information on jobs created. The City of Lorain proposes to submit the final report as described above in December of 2016. The proposed schedule calls for the assessment and sampling during the swimming season of 2014, construction in 2015, and post-construction sampling in 2016 along with the final report.
Quality Assurance Narrative Statement The City of Lorain and their engineering firm will provide a Quality Assurance Project Plan to USEPA for approval after award and prior to collect of data for the project.
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Introduction Lorain, Ohio is a shoreline city located within the central basin of Lake Erie. According to the 2010 Census, Lorain had a population of 64,097. As reported by the U.S. Census Bureau 20072011 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, the City of Lorain has a staggering 29% of individuals living below the poverty level, nearly twice the level of the State of Ohio. The median household income is $34,769, over $13,300 below the median for Ohio and nearly $18,000 below the national median. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Lorain reached a 10-year high of 12.8% in September 2010. While the current unemployment level for the City has declined, the latest rate of 10.6% reported for June 2013 is still well above the state and national averages. Further, as of 2013, 55.2% of the population within the City is low to moderate income (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and the City is designated as distressed and a priority investment area by the Ohio Development Services Agency. The City of Lorain and their local partners, Lorain County, Lorain Port Authority, and Lorain County Metro Parks have taken measures to improve water quality and habitat along the Black River and Lake Erie. These partners have implemented over 10 projects that directly improve water quality in Lake Erie since 2010. Many of these projects have been funded through grants provided by the U.S. EPA. Without this assistance from the U.S. EPA many of these projects could not have been implemented due to the local economic constraints described above. The City of Lorain is faced with many problems that not only affect water quality and habitat but also human health. Problems that affect human health take top priority for the City. One such problem is Escherichia coli (E coli) bacteria contamination on Lake Erie beaches. This problem is common among many lakefront communities and it threatens the health of beach goers. Lakeview Park is located on land owned by the City of Lorain and is leased to the Lorain County Metro Parks who operate the park and beach area (Figure 1). Lakeview Park offers 20 acres along the lakeshore for swimming and sunbathing, lawn bowling, beach volleyball, and picnicking. The park includes a restaurant, the historical rose garden, and a small concert amphitheater. The park is also host to triathlons and weddings. Lakeview Park is one of the few public access areas along the lakeshore and is therefore considered one of the greatest assets in Lorain and the central basin of Lake Erie. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) collects water quality samples on 25 beaches along central and eastern Lake Erie. The following is an excerpt from the CCBH program:
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Water samples are collected at beaches to check for levels of E. coli bacteria. E. coli is a group of bacteria that is commonly found in the intestinal tracts of man and other warm-blooded animals and is therefore used as a sign of water contamination. Many types of E. coli are harmless, but the presence of this bacteria may indicate that disease-causing organisms are also present. Water quality results are used to decide whether or not waters are okay for swimming. A result of 235 (CFU/100mL) is used as the benchmark to make this decision. Results that are lower than 235 mean that the water quality is GOOD. Results that are 235 and higher mean that the water quality is POOR. If the water quality is POOR, a "Water Quality Advisory" will be issued. During an Advisory, full body contact (putting your head under water) is not recommended for children, the elderly, and those in poor health. When bacteria levels are high, it is possible to develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, and ear, nose, and throat infections. Open cuts or wounds can also become infected if they are not properly protected. A Water Quality Advisory typically consists of the posting of a sign at the beach. The sign stays posted until the advisory is no longer needed. This is decided when the next GOOD sample result is obtained. The CCBH samples Lakeview beach on a daily basis and in 2011 they sampled the City’s stormwater outfall on the west side of the beach. The west outfall is thought to be a significant source of E coli bacteria contamination at Lakeview beach due to the west to east prevailing wind direction. The 2011 sampling events found that the west outfall was a significant source of E coli. The highest result was 37,000 CFU/100mL for a sample that was collected following 0.38 inches of rainfall in the prior 24 hours. The low result was 47 CFU/100mL for a sample that was collected following 0.35 inches of rainfall in the prior 72 hours. According to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Ohio ranks 30th out of 30 states in beach water quality and 21% of samples exceeded national standards for designated beach areas in 2012 http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/oh.asp. In addition, Lakeview beach is sampled once a day during the swimming season, which according to the NRDC, was 94 days in 2012. Of the 94 days during the swimming season the beach had notifications on 53 days or 52% of the time, well over the state and national averages. In addition, according to the CCBH’s 2013 water quality sampling data, Lakeview has had 87 days of summer swimming and of those days the beach has had 64 days of advisories (data as of 8/23/13 http://publicapps.odh.ohio.gov/BeachGuardPublic/BeachDetail.aspx?BeachID=151). Therefore, the City of Lorain is interested in advancing the solution to the common lakefront problem of beach closures due to E coli bacteria contamination through the use of sustainable green infrastructure. The need to solve the bacteria contamination issue not only at Lakeview Beach but across the Lake Erie basin is significant. The beaches must be safe for public recreation if the general public is going to believe the efforts to improve water quality and restore habitat have been worthwhile.
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The City of Lorain is proposing to advance the solution to the common lakefront problem of beach closures due to E coli bacteria contamination by implementing a “green” water quality treatment system within Lakeview Park that can be used as an example for other beaches on Lake Erie and within all of the Great Lakes. This water quality treatment system will be designed to mimic natural systems through the use of a shoreline wetland sand filter. Proposed pre-treatment measures will also include the removal of trash, debris, suspended solids and disinfection. 1) Describe the green infrastructure measure(s) to be installed/implemented and the specific public property/properties where the project(s) will be installed/implemented. The stormwater treatment system will consist of a wetland sand filter, an outfall/headwall discharging into the wetland, an approximately 450-foot of 12-inch stormwater pipe, a pretreatment device, a diversion structure within the existing 36-inch stormwater pipe, and an approximately 50-foot long connection pipe (Figure 2). Each of the components is discussed in greater detail below. The treatment system will be implemented within Lakeview Park. Lakeview Park is owned by the City of Lorain and operated by the Lorain County Metro Parks. A letter of support from the Lorain County Metro Parks is included with this application. The wetland sand filter will be placed at the existing beach level and will be approximately 30 feet wide by 120 feet long. An average of 2 feet of sand will be imported and placed on top of the existing sand. This will provide for a depth of sand that is approximately 5 feet above the Long Term Monthly Mean water level (June has the highest monthly mean at 572 ft IGLD – NOAA/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, data from 1918-2008). The wetland sand filter will be designed so that there will not be standing water within the wetland. The intent will be for the stormwater to infiltrate below the surface of the wetland in 24 hours so as not to attract birds (especially gulls) and other water seeking wildlife. This precaution is necessary due to the fact that the likely source of the bacteria is wildlife. As shown on Figure 2 this area is protected by a jetty to the east and a breakwall out in the lake. Large rock boulders will be placed around the exterior of the wetland that will encompass the wetland to protect it from potential wave, wind and ice damage. A geotextile and smaller rock will be used to hold the sand in place around the exterior of the wetland; however, the bottom of the wetland will be free for infiltration to occur through the sand. An emergency overflow will consist of a low spot along the exterior of the wetland. Topsoil will be placed on top of the sand for plant growth. The wetland will be planted with native herbaceous plants such as those listed in the following table.
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Common Name Switchgrass Riparian Wildrye Virginia Wildrye Canada Wildrye Sand Dropseed American Germander Blue Vervain White Vervain Boneset Whorled Loosestrife Fringed Loosestrife Blue Flag Iris
Scientific Name Panicum virgatum Elymus riparius Elymus virginicus Elymus canadensis Sporobolus cryptandrus Teucrium canadense Verbena hastata Verbena urticifolia Eupatorium perfoliatum Lysimachia quadrifolia Lysimachia ciliata Iris versicolor
A new stormwater pipe headwall will be constructed approximately 1 foot above the wetland sand surface for the proposed 12” stormwater pipe discharge. The headwall will be concrete with a flap gate and rock apron that will be placed within the wetland. A new 12-inch conveyance pipe for the stormwater will connect the headwall at the wetland and the pre-treatment device. This new pipe will be approximately 450 feet long. The pre-treatment device will consist of a buried vault that includes trash, debris and suspended solids removal as well as disinfection for bacteria using one of three potential technologies including ultraviolet light, ozone gas or an anti-microbial sponge. Preliminary removal efficiencies and cost estimates have been obtained from multiple suppliers for preparation of this proposal. The details of these technologies will be investigated further during the assessment phase of the project to choose the most effective pre-treatment technology. This pre-treatment device is necessary because the surface area required for disinfection solely using a natural system such as a wetland is not feasible in an ultra urban environment. The system will be sized to capture dry and smaller wet weather flows through the use of a diversion structure to divert flow into the treatment system. An approximately 50-foot connector pipe between the existing 36-inch pipe and the pre-treatment system will also be necessary to divert the flow. The existing 36-inch pipe will continue to be used for high flows. High flows will bypass the treatment system by flowing over the diversion structure and to the existing outfall on Lake Erie. This is a typical safeguard to prevent overloading the treatment system.
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Ultraviolet light and ozone gas are commonly used disinfection technologies. The use of antimicrobial sponges for bacterial disinfection is a newer technology that is very promising. The sponge technologies can remove additional constituents such as hydrocarbons and grease that are typically present in stormwater. The anti-microbial sponge also does not require electricity, but does require routine maintenance and replacement of the sponges that are “spent”. One supplier of this technology is AbTech and their Smart Sponge Plus (USEPA Registration # 862561) which is marketed by AbTech as the future of economical, efficient, flexible and sustainable green technologies for stormwater treatment. 2) Describe the way(s) in which the green infrastructure project(s) will improve Great Lakes Water Quality. As discussed above, bacteria contamination of Lake Erie beaches is a major problem in Ohio and throughout the Great Lakes. Major efforts are underway to improve the habitat and water quality within Lake Erie and the Great Lakes. However, if the beaches are not safe for swimming the rest of the efforts will not be viewed as constructive by the average citizen. Therefore, investments in sustainable technologies to solve the bacteria contamination issues at the Great Lakes beaches are critical. This project will improve the water quality at Lakeview Beach in the City of Lorain through a reduction in E coli bacteria, trash, debris and suspended solids. Potential reductions in hydrocarbons and grease are also possible. The reduction in E coli will occur through the pretreatment disinfection and a prolonged detention time in the wetland sand filter where the bacteria will decay over time. 3) Include an affirmation that the green infrastructure measure(s) to be installed are not required by a permit or enforcement order. Non-point source identification of bacteria contamination in stormwater is not a requirement under Lorain’s NPDES Stormwater MS4 Program. The source of the E coli bacteria contamination at Lakeview Beach is likely from non-point sources such as animal waste including dogs, birds, deer and other wildlife. This preliminary determination is based on the fact that the headwaters of the stormwater drainage area for this outfall at Lakeview Beach is an open channel that flows through forested and open field areas. In addition, there are stormwater inlets within the Lakeview Park that collect runoff from open grass areas, ball fields, picnic areas and parking lots. Of particular interest as a potential source is the heavy activity of Gulls (Larus sp.) at Lakeview Park. The birds are a nuisance at the park and Lorain County Metro Parks is investigating methods to lessen their presence. The City of Lorain has a proactive program in place for illicit sanitary discharges to their stormwater system. The City will investigate the source of the E coli contamination as a separate project prior to the design of this treatment system. The City is not under an enforcement order to resolve this issue at Lakeview Park.
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4) Identify any non-governmental or private sector partners involved in the project(s). There are no non-governmental or private sector partners involved in the project at this time. 5) Describe the processes that will be used to locate, design, and install the green infrastructure project(s). The location of the treatment system will be within the 20-acre park adjacent to the existing stormwater pipe and outfall on the beach (as shown on Figure 2). Preliminary estimates on flow rates and system sizing have been calculated; however, the project assessment and design tasks will be used to determine the detailed flow requirements and system sizing as well as to define the treatment system limitations. Task 1 – Assessment and Monitoring (September 2013 to November 2014) Assessment activities will include preparation of a Quality Assurance Project Plan; existing data review; outfall and beach water quality sampling; outfall flow rate determination; and topographic surveying. Existing data that will be reviewed includes as-built sanitary and storm sewer plans, Cuyahoga County Board of Health sampling data, and any other pertinent data that is discovered during the initiation of the project. The existing 36” diameter storm sewer will be sampled at the outfall on Lake Erie for E coli bacteria, total fecal coliform bacteria, total suspended solids, oil and grease, hydrocarbons, and detergent surfactants. Additional constituents may be added as determined necessary during Task 1. An estimate of the amount of sediment and debris coming from the storm sewer will be obtained from Metro Parks’ beach cleaning personnel as well as visual assessment during water quality sampling. These assessment activities are proposed in order to establish the design criteria baseline for the treatment system. Topography and critical points for design will be collected by a registered surveyor during this task. The City will work with the Lorain County Metro Parks on bird deterrent systems, and additional sampling at the beach with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to determine the percentage of bacterial contamination coming from the gulls present on the beach or other sources of bacteria. An alternatives analysis will be performed once the data from Task 1 has been compiled and checked for quality assurance. The alternatives analysis will be used to determine which type of pre-treatment system (Smart Sponge, Ozone, UV, etc.) is best suited for this specific project based on the sampling data. The City is proposing to take 3 trips to existing bacteria treatment systems at beaches that have been successful at removing E coli bacteria. This analysis will include cost estimates, operation and maintenance guidelines, and predicted performance. The wetland sand filter sizing will also be finalized based on the size of storm that can be captured for treatment. Native plants will be selected and the number of each will be
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determined. Rock and sand sizes will be determined along with the amount of topsoil that should be mixed in for plant growth. A recommendation memorandum will be provided by the engineering firm that will be selected to assist the City with the project. Task 2 – Design, Permitting and Public Outreach (December 2014 to June 2015) The design is anticipated to include 11 to 15 AutoCad drawing sheets as well as construction documents for public bidding. Details to be provided during the design include confirmation of pipe sizing and layout; headwall and diversion structure typicals; wetland plan view and cross section drawings; a planting plan; and sediment and erosion control plans and typicals. The treatment system will be designed with considerable attention to long-term operation and maintenance requirements. The design will also include temporary and permanent project signage to be installed in the park during and after construction. Permits will also be required for this project including Coastal Zone Management approval from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, a Clean Water Act Section 404 Nationwide Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a traffic control permit from the City. The City will work with an engineering firm to prepare the permits, design and construction bid package. Once the design details are finalized the City and Lorain County Metro Parks will provide materials on their respective webpages for public education. Outreach will consist of newspaper articles and informational flyers prepared for the project and circulated at the park restaurant and bath house. The webpages will be updated once construction is complete. Task 3 – Construction (July 2015 to November 2015) This task includes the public solicitation of a qualified contractor to implement the design through the City’s public bidding process. The contractor will be required to provide qualifications on the types of components to be implemented. The City and their engineering firm will provide construction oversight. The contractor will be required to install a temporary sign during construction and the permanent educational signage. Both will describe the project purpose and benefits, and name the funding agency (US EPA) and project partners (City of Lorain and Lorain County Metro Parks). Construction will be substantially complete by November of 2015 with the spring and summer of 2016 reserved for re-planting vegetation and minor tweaking to the system. Task 4 – Post Construction Monitoring (May 2016 to November 2016) Post-construction monitoring will consist of sampling the stormwater pipe prior to pretreatment, sampling the outfall prior to discharge into the wetland, and sampling the beach water quality. The same sample parameters that are used for pre-construction monitoring will be sampled during the post-construction monitoring. The City will continue to work with the LCMP and CCBH on additional sampling at the beach. Task 5 – Operation and Maintenance Manual (October to November 2016) This task includes preparation of an operation and maintenance manual for the City. The manual will cover the entire treatment system, including the pre-treatment system and the
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wetland sand filter. This manual will establish operational guidelines and maintenance requirements for the treatment system, including performance optimization recommendations, maintenance schedules and routines, as well as a schedule/log for refining the manual. Depending on which type of pre-treatment is implemented (UV, ozone, or sponge), the manual will include reference to the manufacturer’s recommendations for operation and maintenance. The City along with the engineering firm will prepare this manual to be system-specific, considering items such local weather conditions, wildlife deterrents and wind/wave action. Task 6 – Final Report (December 2016) The final report will be prepared and submitted to the US EPA in December of 2016. This final report will provide information on the pre-treatment device, the sizing of the wetland sand filter and quantification of the design retention capacity of the wetland sand filter, and any cobenefits of the project including jobs created or retained. 6) Describe any public participation that will be carried out in conjunction with the siting, design, and implementation of the green infrastructure project(s). The City of Lorain and Lorain County Metro Parks will provide project outreach and education as part of this project. Project information will be placed on both entities webpages both before and after the project is completed. A temporary informational sign will be placed in the park during construction and a permanent educational sign will be placed in the park after the system is operational. The City and/or Metro Parks will also provide information to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and any other communities that are interested to help support others who have the same issue at their public beaches. 7) Estimate the retention capacity of the green infrastructure project(s) to be installed, expressed in gallons. The retention capacity of the wetland sand filter is calculated as approximately 40,392 gallons. The wetland is approximately 30 feet wide by 120 feet long by 5 feet deep. The sand will be specified to have a porosity of at least 30% which equates to 40,392 gallons. 8) Describe the steps the city will take to ensure the green infrastructure project(s) will be preserved (kept in a green infrastructure use, and not converted to hardscape) for at least 15 years. The project will be located in Lakeview Park, a designated park within the City of Lorain. Lakeview Park has been Lorain’s most celebrated park since 1917. There are no current or future plans to change the park from its current use. The wetland sand filter will be located just above the beach level where placing a hardscape or impervious surface is very unlikely due to its proximity to the lake. 9) Describe the steps the city will take to ensure the green infrastructure project(s) will be properly maintained for a period of at least 15 years.
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The City of Lorain is committed to advancing a solution for bacterial contamination of beaches and desires to control the bacteria coming from this particular outfall to the maximum extent practicable. Barring a natural disaster that would eliminate the system and potentially the beach, the City will maintain the system for its effective life and/or at least 15 years. It should be noted that Hurricane Sandy had a significant effect on Lake Erie in 2012 which did not destroy this beach area. The City is committed to the regular maintenance of the pretreatment system and the infiltration wetland. Task 5 includes preparation of an operation and maintenance manual for the City. 10) Provide for a final report, to be submitted at the conclusion of the grant-funded work. The final report should include information on the number/size of the green infrastructure measure(s) installed and their locations, and a quantification of the design retention capacity of the green infrastructure measure(s) installed (expressed in gallons). The final report should also provide information on the co-benefits associated with the green infrastructure measure(s), including information on jobs created. The City of Lorain proposes to submit the final report as described above in December of 2016. The proposed schedule calls for the assessment and sampling during the swimming season of 2014, construction in 2015, and post-construction sampling in 2016 along with the final report.
Quality Assurance Narrative Statement The City of Lorain and their engineering firm will provide a Quality Assurance Project Plan to USEPA for approval after award and prior to collect of data for the project.
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