Cuyahoga River

Our history began in 1988, when the Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) was created by Ohio EPA, on behalf of the U.S.EPA, to serve as the local stakeholder group tasked with putting together the plan to remove beneficial use impairments in the lower 45 miles of the Cuyahoga River and nearshore Lake Erie. The RAP program was created by the In... ternational Joint Commission, an American/Canadian government partnership dedicated to restoring and protecting the water quality and resources of the Great Lakes. Its intent was to identify Areas of Concern that contribute to the degradation of the Great Lakes, and to develop restoration plans to remedy impairments to beneficial uses of the chosen waters. A Cuyahoga River RAP Coordinating Committee of 32 stakeholders was convened, including representatives of state and federal agencies, industry, commerce and private interests, community groups and local governments and public agencies. In 1989 the nonprofit corporation was created to support the activities of the Coordinating Committee by securing funds to support staff and enable the undertaking of projects and programs. In 1998, the Cuyahoga was named by Presidential order as one of 14 American Heritage Rivers designated as such due to their cultural, environmental and economic importance to their regions. The initiative is an innovative response to help river communities that seek federal assistance and other resources to meet some tough challenges. Without any new regulations on private property owners, state, local and tribal governments, the American Heritage Rivers initiative is about making more efficient and effective use of existing federal resources, cutting red-tape, and lending a helping hand. The Cuyahoga American Heritage River initiative encompasses the entire Cuyahoga River watershed, expanding our organization's stewardship reach and bringing together government agencies, businesses and community partners from six counties. CRR is the lead AHR partner, working with NOACA, NEFCO, Ohio & Erie ...Read More