2015

2010

GLRI-funded projects are awarded to address BUIs.

2009

The Lower Black River Ecological Restoration Master Plan is adopted by the community.

The 2009 Annual Report: Black River AOC Remedial Action Plan is issued. 

2008

The impaired status of the aquatic life uses lead to development of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Black River. A TMDL identifies the total pollutant load that a water body can receive and still attain its listed water quality standards. The Black River TMDL is approved in August 2008.

2005

A BUI is delisted in the East Branch of the Black River (Degradation of Benthos).

The Black River RAP submits A Request for the Delisting of the Degradation of Benthos Beneficial Use Impairment in the East Branch of the Black River to US EPA and receives approval for the delisting. The RAP requests this delisting in order to protect the gains made in the rapidly developing East Branch.

2004

The Black River RAP is the first RAP organization in Ohio to demonstrate significant improvement by re-designating the Fish Tumors and Other Deformities use impairment from "Impaired" to "in Recovery"

A 21 year contact advisory for the lower mainstem of the Black River is lifted by the Ohio Department of Health. The Contact Advisory was posted in 1983 due to the high incidence of fish tumors due to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination. The PAH contamination was a legacy of an old steel mill coking operation. The river sediments in that stretch of the river were remedially dredged in 1989-1990.

1997

Black River RAP Long Range Plan (Stage Two) adopted.

The Ohio EPA and others continue to study the river.  Intensive biological surveys are conducted.

Every two years, the state publishes an Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report, summarizing the general conditions of the waters of the state and listing those waters that are not attaining water quality standards. The biennial reports list the Black River as impaired over much of its length for aquatic life beneficial uses and for fish tissues.

1996

1994

1992

The Ohio EPA and others continue to study the river and intensive biological surveys are conducted.

Every two years, the state publishes an Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report, summarizing the general conditions of the waters of the state and listing those waters that are not attaining water quality standards. The biennial reports list the Black River as impaired over much of its length for aquatic life beneficial uses and for fish tissues.

1989

Concern over pollution loads in the river, and the resulting damage to fish and other aquatic populations, leads to the listing of the Lower Black River as an AOC by the International Joint Commission