SPECIAL 20th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE – WINTER 2008-2009 SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF DAYTON, HARRISON TOWNSHIP, HUBER HEIGHTS, RIVERSIDE, VANDALIA, & WPAFB
NEWS Promoting Regional Opportunities for Growth Recognizing Environmentally Sensitive Settings
Dayton’s Multi-Jurisdictional Source Water Protection Program Celebrates 20 Years
IN THIS ISSUE 2
SWPP Milestones
3-4 Business Profiles 5
Lee Drummond Retires
“Your work with local businesses within your protection area is nationally recognized. You have topnotch education and outreach efforts to let people know they can make a difference. Our region is fortunate to have such a shining example of what wellhead protection can do!” – Thomas Poy, Chief, Ground Water Protection Branch, U.S. EPA Region 5
Most of our region’s drinking water comes from the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer, a vast, trillion-gallon reservoir created thousands of years ago by massive glaciers. In 1988, the leaders of Dayton, Harrison Township, Huber Heights, Riverside, Vandalia, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County, and the business community created one of the nation’s first multijurisdictional Source Water Protection Programs (SWPPs) to safeguard this precious resource.
“The story of Dayton is really the story of ground water.” – Susan Seacrest, Founder, Groundwater Foundation, Lincoln, Neb.
In 2008, we marked the 20-year anniversary of this internationally acclaimed program. The more than 400,000 people who drink Dayton’s water have greatly benefited. The Source Water Protection Program is a model of regional cooperation. We can be proud of our region’s efforts to protect the source of our drinking water so it continues to be readily available and affordable for citizens and businesses.
Dedicated to Drinking Water Protection: Longtime Environmental Compliance Coordinator Lee Drummond Retires from the City of Dayton For almost 20 years, Lee Drummond has been the familiar face of drinking water protection in the City of Dayton. He’s helped to explain the importance of safeguarding our region’s water source to multitudes of business owners, citizens, realtors, and others impacted by Source Water Protection Program (SWPP) legislation. He’s conducted numerous More See page 5
PROGRESS is a 1995 – 2007 Recipient of the Groundwater Foundation Award
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City of Dayton’s Multi-Jurisdictional SWPP* Milestones Through the Years 1988 First Legislation Enacted The City of Dayton adopted well field protection legislation, which included designating the Miami and Mad River well fields and surrounding areas as protected areas.
1989 Legislation Adopted by Two Additional Communities Because sensitive land was not only within Dayton city limits but in several other surrounding communities, the program was expanded to be multi-jurisdictional. Harrison Township and the City of Riverside became the first communities outside of Dayton to adopt well field protection legislation.
1990 Legislation Adopted by Remaining Communities The cities of Vandalia and Huber Heights adopted well field protection legislation. WPAFB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dayton – the first agreement of its kind in the United States between the Department of Defense and a local government – in which both entities agreed to work together to protect the well fields.
1993 PROGRESS Formed to Promote Program PROGRESS was initiated as an “arm” of the multi-jurisdictional program. The committee’s objectives are to educate businesses about protecting ground water; help businesses reduce risk to the aquifer; and develop economic opportunities for businesses affected by well field regulations.
1994 Risk Point Buy Down Program Created
in which businesses could (and can today) receive grants in exchange for the permanent removal of quantities of hazardous materials.
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During the first 20 years of the Protection Program, Regulated Substances have been reduced by 17.7 million pounds. To date, millions of dollars have been awarded to benefit both economic development and source water protection.
1996
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First in State Endorsed by Ohio EPA The WFPP became the first in Ohio to be endorsed by the state Environmental Protection Agency.
1996 The City of Dayton and Harrison Township Joined the WFPP’s Economic Development Assistance Program
1996 - Present PROGRESS News Published Each Year in the WFPA/SWPA
1997 - Present Region’s Children’s Water Festival Held Annually More than 25,000 children from Montgomery and Greene counties have convened on the University of Dayton campus each year since 1997 to learn about water and how to protect this precious resource. The City of Dayton and many other organizations and community leaders coordinate the annual event.
1999 The City of Riverside Joined the Economic Development Assistance Program
2000 - Present Sustaining the Source Water Protection Program
2002 WFPP Became the SWPP and Was Endorsed by the Ohio EPA
2004 Tenth Anniversary Celebrated as a Groundwater Guardian Community
2004-2008 SWPP Ordinances Amended
2006 Risk Point Buy Down Program Amended Total pounds of Regulated Substances removed since the RPBD began: 17.7 million.
2008 Marked 20 Years as a Successful SWPP
Dayton’s SWPP has been featured in: U.S. EPA video (1995) - “Protecting Your Groundwater Supply: Putting the Pieces Together” U.S. EPA publication (1996) - “Business Benefits of Wellhead Protection AWWA Research Foundation publication (2004) - “Demonstrating Benefits of Wellhead Protection Programs” Ohio EPA Publication (2008) “Developing Local Drinking Water Source Protection Plans in Ohio U. S. EPA Website (2008) - “Promoting Safe Drinking Water: Communities Share Success Stories”
The Well Field Fund Board established the Risk Point Buy Down (RPBD) program * Today called the Source Water Protection Program, the original name was the Well Field Protection Program (WFPP)
Volume 12, Issue 2 • PROGRESS News is funded by the Well Field Protection Board, published several times a year, and sent at no charge to citizens, businesses, organizations, and jurisdictions affected by the Well Field/Source Water Protection Program. View PROGRESS News on the Web at http://water.cityofdayton.org/Water/em/wellfield.asp – scroll to the bottom and click on the newsletter’s PDF icon. If you would like more information on PROGRESS News, call (937) 277-4314 or send e-mail to lmunoz@metroparks.org.
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SWPA Goes High-Tech With Gr Business Profile: Tec^Edge Works High-Tech Research Center Opens in SWPA A high-tech organization has located in Dayton’s Source Water Protection Area. Tec^Edge Works held a ribboncutting ceremony June 3 to mark the opening of its facility at 105 Janney Road in North Dayton. Tec^Edge Works, an offshoot of Tec^Edge, is a Wright Brothers Institute center with a mission of providing an environment in which the U. S. Air Force Research Laboratory, in collaboration with local universities and industry, can rapidly produce leading-edge technological concepts to prototypes for testing and evaluation.
existing mechanical systems used by the military. It’s expected that up to 60 research/ technology jobs will be created at Tec^Edge Works during its first five years. “The Dayton region is known throughout the U.S. and even globally as a hotbed of innovation,” said Tec^Edge Works Director Mike Osgood. “We want to tap into and support local talent – as well as recruit from outside Dayton – in order to facilitate rapid development of hightech prototypes for government and private-industry benefit.” Tec^Edge Works is ideally located between Wright-Patterson Air Force
• Technology companies • Transfer of technology to commercial endeavors
collaborated to improve the 24,000 square-foot facility with the support of a City of Dayton economic development grant.
The location offers laboratory and meeting space for researchers. Ideas and concepts can be tested at this site. An initial focus will be helping the Air Force Research Lab to quickly develop and assess improvements to
Base and Dayton’s Tech Town. Organization leaders reviewed many sites before selecting the Janney Road facility for its strategic location and financial incentives. The City of Dayton, Tec^Edge Works, and the property owner Business and community leaders, including Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin (holding scissors), celebrated the grand opening of Tec^Edge Works.
The Wright Brothers Institute, parent of Tec^Edge and Tec^Edge Works, in partnership with the Air Force Research Lab, operates as a neutral enabler and environment for multidisciplinary joint teams to come together in intense collaborations. Tec^Edge leverages this work for its other foundational stakeholders, and the Dayton region, in order to simulate and support growth of:
“The opening of the Tec^Edge rapid prototyping center is another bold step in the creation of a diverse, technology-rich economy for the Dayton region,” said Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin, who attended the ribbon-cutting along with other government, science, and business leaders. “The center will be an important source of new research jobs and an incubator of commercial technologies that will foster economic development.”
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round-Water-Friendly Businesses Business Profile: Protobox LLC Inventive Entrepreneurs Take Flight in SWPA
• The ProtoBox LC – a slightly smaller version, which can be used at military labs and at universities.
In the City of Riverside’s Source Water Protection Area is a business brainstorming some incredible technology: flight simulators for the U.S. Air Force and high-brightness, high-efficiency LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights.
• The Octonian – an 8-channel, 360degree rear-projection visual display system that places the user in a realistic virtual experience of being in a cockpit. Its wide field-of-view can be optimized for simulating Air Force fighter aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F-22, and JSF.
The business is called Protobox LLC after a flagship product developed by owner Ron Ewart, a simulation systems engineer; business partner Bob Kalinyak; and Carl Rickard, production manager. These engineers/ technicians with years of experience
• The LavaLux LED – an outdoor pathway light that consumes less energy than metal halide lights with the same output. The LavaLux is ideal for parking lots and buildingmounted security lighting (pictured right). Protobox also offers: • Highly sophisticated, customized electronic prototypes to specification – an example is a laser micrometer used as a measurement tool for heat pumps, air conditioning units, and air compressors in industrial settings.
in flight simulation parlayed their background into a business now known for: • The ProtoBox – a low-cost alternative to otherwise expensive systems that simulate flight. The ProtoBox is used by the U.S. military as a research and development fighter cockpit in a lab environment (pictured above).
The LavaLux LED uses 40 percent less energy than similarly sized lights.
• Custom circuit designs
“As we dug deeper, five tanks were revealed, some nearly full. The bottom tanks were ancient, riveted structures,” said Well Field Protection Specialist Clyde Collins, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County. “As part of the Risk Point Buy Down, heating oil was replaced with natural gas so the Conforming Use status of 20 gallons or less was achieved.”
“We’ve worked as system designers in flight simulation for many years at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,” said Mr. Ewart. “We moved our business from another city to Riverside in June 2004. We like that we’re just five minutes from the base.”
The public benefit to the well field is huge: The past owner removed his liability and made a small profit and the Source Water Protection Area gained a ground water friendly technology business with low chemical inventory.
The company currently has a long-term R&D contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Lab to develop and maintain simulation systems. ProtoBox also does commercial work for both defense- and non-defense-related companies.
To learn more about Risk Point Buy Downs, contact your SWPP representative listed on the back of this newsletter.
• Off-the-shelf and custom visual display systems The ProtoBox simulates flight.
The transformation of the site where Protobox is located is a success story for ground water protection. The facility had been a roofing company for years with tar, heating oil tanks, and an adjoining gas station onsite. Closer inspection revealed a suspected tank eligible for a Risk Point Buy Down.
5 Dedicated to Drinking Water Protection: Longtime Environmental Compliance Coordinator Lee Drummond Retires from the City of Dayton from page 1
site inspections, led pollution- and spill-prevention workshops, presented nationally, and helped to build one of the country’s most successful SWPPs. Mr. Drummond retired Dec. 31 after nearly 35 years of public service. “Lee’s can-do attitude, and commitment to the environment and ground water protection, is outstanding! We wish him the very best in his retirement. He will be deeply missed,” said Donna Winchester, Manager, Division of Environmental Management. As part of the City of Dayton’s mission to implement the 1988 Well Field Protection Program ordinance, former Environmental Manager Dusty Hall hired Mr. Drummond as the City’s first Environmental Compliance Coordinator. “Lee’s passion for the work, his personal conviction, and his attention to detail made him a positive force throughout the history of the program. If people drinking Dayton’s water during the last two decades knew about Lee’s efforts, they would line up to express their heartfelt gratitude to him. I’m at the front of that line,” said Mr. Hall, who is now the Manager of Program Development for the Miami Conservancy District. Mr. Drummond’s first task was to identify businesses within the newly created WFPA zoning district. His next task was to “walk the talk” – personally visiting the businesses.
Mr. Drummond served on the Groundwater Guardian Council from 2001 to 2006, including two years as Vice Chair and one as Chair. Clark Beck, Lee Drummond, Max Fuller, and Gayle Galbraith of Dayton accept the 2008 Groundwater Guardian Award from Jane Griffin, President of The Groundwater Foundation.
Almost all of the businesses were great when I visited them and explained the new regulations,” Mr. Drummond said. “Most said, ‘I drink the water too – I want to do what I can to protect it.’”
“Lee has long been a champion of the importance of ground water education, and The Groundwater Foundation thanks him for his role in helping educate the public to care about and for groundwater,” said Jennifer Wemhoff, Groundwater Guardian Director.
The PROGRESS Committee, on which Mr. Drummond served from its inception, was formed to facilitate communication with the WFPA business community, and to inform them of financial incentives for Mr. Drummond participated in and presented at local and national risk reduction activities. conferences and seminars. “The guidance Lee provided to the PROGRESS Committee was invaluable. He was always kind, patient, and exhibited a sincere passion for the program,” said Lorka Munoz-Daugherty, the Environmental Advisory Board’s PROGRESS Chair. “Lee is a gem of a professional.”
Lee assisted businesses during CityWide events.
Mr. Drummond participated on an American Water Works Association Research Foundation committee to measure the effectiveness of WFPPs. The resulting book, entitled Demonstrating Benefits of Wellhead Protection Programs, was published in 2004.
“The SWPP has always been a community effort. We have worked with Economic Development, Zoning, Planning, Fire, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County, and our jurisdictional partners, Harrison Township, Huber Heights, Riverside, Vandalia, and WrightPatterson Air Force Base. Without the cooperation of government agencies and the business community, the program would not have achieved its success. We all need safe drinking water, and it has been a pleasure to contribute to that effort for so long,” Mr. Drummond said.
Contacts PROGRESS Lorka Muñoz-Daugherty, Chairperson 277-4314 lmunoz@metroparks.org City of Dayton Gayle Galbraith, Environmental Scientist 333-8480 gayle.galbraith@cityofdayton.org City of Dayton Economic Development Max Fuller, Well Field Development Specialist 333-3624 max.fuller@cityofdayton.org Harrison Township Jack Kuntz, Assistant Development Director 890-5611 jkuntz@harrisontownship.org City of Huber Heights Russell Bergman, PE, City Engineer 233-1423 Russell.Bergman@ci.huber-heights.oh.us
RSAIR Reminder 2009 Regulated Substance Activity Inventory Reports (RSAIRs) will be mailed to Source Water Protection Area (SWPA) businesses in January 2009 and are due back March 2009. Each business in the SWPA is required to complete an RSAIR every two years. Thank you for your help in protecting our drinking water! If you have any questions, please contact your jurisdictional representative listed in the box on the left. Important note: All new businesses in the Source Water Protection Area, including tenants of multi-tenant facilities, must have applicable Zoning Certificates and Occupancy Certificates and approved RSAIRs completed before taking occupancy.
City of Riverside Peter Williams, Zoning Administrator 233-1801 pwilliams@riverside.oh.us
Guide to Starting a Business in the SWPA Available Soon!
City of Vandalia Erika Vogel, City Planner 898-3750 evogel@vandaliaohio.org
The Guide to Starting a Business in Dayton’s MultiJurisdictional Source Water Protection Area will soon be available to new businesses and existing businesses that may be expanding or starting a new operation in the SWPA. The guide walks business owners through the five simple steps of starting a business in the SWPA and offers contact information of the people who can help with questions, filling out forms, etc. To receive your free copy of the guide, please contact your jurisdictional representative listed in the box on the left.
Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County Kenton Domer-Shank, Sanitarian Supervisor 225-5909 KDomerShank@phdmc.org CityWide Development Janet White, Housing and Economic Development Services Director 853-2541 jwhite@citywidedev.com
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