Complete report - Partners for Clean Streams

the many Maumee RAP partners in the Appendix of this document.
Beneficial Use Impairments
When the Maumee AOC was first designated, it was primarily due to issues associated with agricultural
runoff. Upon further investigation, it was realized that the Maumee AOC had many more issues that
needed to be addressed to allow for the restoration of our area to fishable and swimmable conditions.
As part of the process to develop remedial action plans, the IJC established beneficial impairments to
assist communities in defining their problems. The Maumee RAP has identified that 10 of the 14
beneficial use impairments need to be addressed in the Maumee AOC:
Beneficial Use Impairments
! 1. Restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption
! 2. Tainting of fish and wildlife flavor
! 3. Degradation of fish and wildlife populations
! 4. Fish tumors or other deformities
! 5. Bird or animal deformities
! 6. Degradation of benthos
! 7. Restrictions on dredging activities
! 8. Eutrophication or undesirable algae
! 9. Restrictions on drinking water consumption, or taste and odor problems
! 10. Beach closings
! 11. Degradation of aesthetics
! 12. Added cost to agriculture or industry
! 13. Degradation of phytoplankton and zooplankton populations
! 14. Loss of fish and wildlife habitat
These environmental problems are caused by toxic substances, bacterial contamination, nutrient
enrichment, and landfill leachate. Sources of these pollutants include urban storm water runoff,
commercial and residential development, municipal and industrial discharges, combined sewer
overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, wastewater treatment plant bypasses, hazardous waste disposal
sites, and agricultural runoff. The Maumee RAP continues to advocate or sponsor programs and
activities to address these issues, which are described in this Activities and Accomplishments in the
Maumee Area of Concern report.
Activities and Accomplishments
in the Maumee Area of Concern
3
Preface/Introduction