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State EPA Considers Rules for Water-Quality Certification
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Draft rules being considered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency would allow developers’ privately-hired consultants to be trained by the state to monitor and certify water quality.
State biologists currently monitor water quality and determine whether applicants should receive water permits for developments at sites including wetlands or streams. The state also validates monitoring done by applicants’ hired consultants.
Under the draft rules , consultants hired by companies could receive state-level professional certification for monitoring water quality and perform some work now handled by state biologists.
Environmental groups have voiced concerns that too much responsibility for monitoring water quality would be left to certified professionals hired by companies.
Ohio EPA official Tiffani Kavalec says the certified professionals would receive state training, and their findings could be audited.