EPA Proposes Restoration Plan For Cleveland Property

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 is proposing ecological restoration plans for land near the River Recycling Industries facilities in Cleveland.

River Recycling has volunteered to pay for the project as part of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act corrective action program. It could include:

-covering former wastewater treatment ponds with liners and  fresh topsoil;

-planting native prairie plants and turf grasses;

-creating a canopy of natural Ohio trees along the Cuyahoga riverbank; and

-constructing a berm along the top of the river bank.

The proposed ecological enhancements are designed to provide a better habitat for wildlife and a picnic area across the river from the Cleveland Metroparks trail.

The public is invited to comment prior to EPA reviewing and selecting a final plan.

The 45-day public comment period is from Feb. 6 to March 23, 2004.

Send written comments to Todd Gmitro, corrective action project manager, EPA Region 5 (DW-8J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604.