Ohio DNR outlines free environmental-review service to help Lorain County projects avoid permit delays

Representatives of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources told a Lorain County workshop that the agency’s environmental-review (ER) service can help local construction and land-use projects identify regulated natural resources early and avoid later permit delays.

The ER is a voluntary, free review that provides written recommendations and referral contacts for projects that may affect waterways, threatened or endangered species, scenic rivers and floodplains, ODNR officials said. The agency advised submitting a project description and map early and in digital form to reduce the chance of late-stage survey requirements that can slow construction.

Ann, who identified herself as the ODNR environmental review and compliance project manager in the Office of Real Estate and Land Management, said the department coordinates across divisions to specify what regulations a project must follow. "We coordinate with all the divisions to let you know what regulations your project will need to comply with," she said. "This is a free service we provide on the whole state." She said applicants should provide maps, photos and, if available, shapefiles or KMZ files to speed review and to help staff locate the project area.

Ann said ODNR typically completes reviews faster than the formal window the agency has to operate in. "We do 2,000 of these a year, and we have 45 to 60 days to return, but for at least the last year and a half we've been hitting 28, 29 days on our reviews," she said. She added that ODNR no longer grants expedited reviews except for true emergencies, such as an imminent bridge collapse.

The ER produces recommendations to avoid or minimize impacts and can include surveying guidance, seasonal timing limits and lists of approved consultants. Ann said reviews commonly recommend surveys by specialists — for example, bat biologists, malacologists for mussels and herpetologists for turtles — and may include seasonal restrictions on tree clearing or in-stream work. She named species that may trigger surveys in Lorain County: Blanding’s turtle and the Eastern Massasauga, and noted that all freshwater mussel species are protected in Ohio.

ODNR staff also explained when its ER letter is needed by other agencies. Ann said a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit or an Ohio EPA 401 permit will commonly require an ODNR ER letter to accompany permit applications; the letter is also often requested for National Environmental Policy Act coordination. When asked about dredging a pond in Avon, ODNR staff said jurisdiction generally rests with the Army Corps and Ohio EPA and that the Corps does not always regulate simple excavation without backfill; ODNR will not stop activities unless a known endangered species is present.

Will Armbruster, ODNR director of special projects, said the goal is to prevent late-stage surprises that slow projects. "We're not here to slow your projects, we're here to really educate," Armbruster said, stressing that early planning often reduces project delays and stress on staff.

Ann noted practical submission rules: ODNR accepts digital submissions only (no hard-copy letters), and applicants should expect to resubmit if a project’s study area expands. She recommended including staging areas and access roads in the study area drawing to avoid needing a second review if the site footprint grows. The office also provides contacts in forestry, parks and other internal divisions when projects border ODNR-managed lands.

Presenters emphasized limitations: ODNR said it no longer provides comments for insects (for example, bees or monarch butterflies), and that a recommendation for a survey does not itself constitute a permit. Attendees were urged to budget time and money for potential surveys that a review may recommend.

The presentation included examples of ODNR comment letters and described coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office when archaeological issues arise. ODNR staff also described outreach and youth programs they run — for example, Will said he coordinated a job-shadow program in which 14 Lorain County students shadowed ODNR staff.

The presentation concluded with an offer to answer follow-up questions and contact information on the ODNR website; presenters said the review is free and can be found by searching "ODNR environmental review."