Policies and Guidance
 

Policies

Ohio Revised Code 3745.30 requires that the Ohio EPA maintain a centralized compendium of all policies used to implement environmental regulations. Each Ohio EPA Division is responsible for such a compendium which is on file at Central Office program locations and District Offices. Division of Surface Water policies are on the DSW Policy Documents page.

The purpose of a policy is to clarify and explain specific aspects of regulations (Ohio Administrative Code, OAC) and law (Ohio Revised Code, ORC) so that Ohio EPA and external parties have a common understanding of how environmental regulations are carried out in Ohio. The policies promote consistency and provide savings of both technical and administrative staff resources when dealing with the application of rules. In other words, all staff can consult the same set of written materials and time is saved by having the applicable background and rule explanation readily available.

Guidance

The Division of Surface Water also maintains a DSW Guidance Documents page. Guidance documents provide standard operating guidelines for use by Division of Surface Water employees as they carry out job duties related to water quality and permitting. These staff carry out a variety of tasks ranging from environmental sampling, modeling, facility inspections, plan review and permit writing, all of which have certain requirements stipulated in statue or regulations. Guidance documents provide background and instructions to staff relative to key aspects of their work. This internal guidance does not affect the requirements found in the referenced rules and statutes.

Additional Information

Printed copies of the Division of Surface policy and guidance documents are available. To obtain printed copies call the Division of Surface Water at 614-644-2001 or write to:

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Division of Surface Water
50 West Town Street, Suite 700
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049

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