On Tuesday, November 10, a presentation was given at City Hall on the North Royalton Community Report of the Rocky River Stormwater Master Plan. The presentation was given by members of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. About fifteen residents attended. Donna Friedman, Watershed Team Leader and Matthew Scharver, Deputy Director of Watershed Programs presented the plan, specifically highlighting some of this effort as it pertains to North Royalton.
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz said that “one of my top concerns is to address the numerous stormwater issues that we have continued to deal with for years. Topography, location and development, prior to the protective, modern-day codes and regulations we abide by today, have all had an impact on our city. Over the years, we have attempted to alleviate these issues one by one and have made tremendous headway, but there is much more to be done. Water issues are complex and do not begin and end at our city borders.” He said that the city has partnered with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) as part of the Stormwater Management Program for that reason. Together, the NEORSD and city have “committed to tackling projects across the area in an effort to ease stormwater and erosion issues regionally. Our working relationship with the District over the past four years has accomplished projects in our city including removing several blockages in the Rocky River and tributaries, restoring an Abbey Road detention basin and working on a stream restoration project at Sprague and Thornhurst to mediate flooding in that area, to name a few,” said Antoskiewicz.
“According to the District, the sub watersheds that lie within our city were extensively studied as part of this master plan with a goal of identifying and solving flooding, erosion and water quality problems. A total of 27 improvement projects have been identified and recommended in North Royalton in the Rocky River Watershed, specifically within the Baldwin Creek and Rocky River East Branch and tributaries sub-watersheds. The District will be working with our city and local partners to implement these projects over time, as well as improve the stormwater system with proactive policy improvements and continued inspection and maintenance of the regional stormwater system infrastructure,” stated Antoskiewicz.
According to NEORSD officials, “the Rocky River Watershed consists of all or portions of the following 8 subwatersheds: Abram Creek, Baker Creek, Baldwin Creek, Blodgett Creek, Plum Creek, Rocky River East Branch and Tributaries, Rocky River West Branch and Tributaries, and Rocky River Mainstem and Tributaries. French Creek, which drains to the Black River, was also studied as part of the RR SWMP. The RR watershed area within the District’s stormwater service area includes all or parts of the following 10 member communities: Berea, Brook Park, Cleveland, Columbia Township, Middleburg Heights, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, Parma, and Strongsville.” For this plan, the regional stormwater system, which includes watercourses, stormwater conveyance structure and stormwater control measures, includes at least 300 acres of separate stormwater drainage. The stormwater master plan will then be utilized as a format to address the needs of this regional stormwater system, with a prioritized list of construction, operation/maintenance and policy improvements.
The NEORSD’s Rocky River Stormwater Master Plan presentation can be seen in its entirety on the city’s website, www.northroyalton.org.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer