This presentation on how to use data to affect policy was given by Keith Dimoff, Executive Director of the Ohio Environmental Council, at the OEC's 2009 Clean Water Conference on Oct 2 and 3.

1. Us
sing Water Quality
Da to Affect Policy
ata
Kei Dimoff
ith
Exe
ecutive Director
Oct
tober 2, 2009

2. Six steps on how to use
data to drive policy
What is h
Wh i the policy goal?
li l?
What data is available?
How can you make the
connection between data and
policy?
Who is the targeted decision-
o s t e ta gete e s o
maker?
What strategy and tactics will
work?
When do you win?

3. Case study: Clean Water
y
Act “TMDL’s”
What was the policy goal? CWA swimmable
swimmable,
fishable goals; CWA “safety net” watershed
restoration plans—Total Maximum Daily Load d
(TMDL)
What data was available? Impaired and
threatened waters 303(d) list
How did we make the connection between
data and policy? “If we’ve put in place all of
these new controls (permits), then why are so o
many rivers still not meeting safe
standards?”
Who was the targeted decision-maker? US
EPA, Ohio EPA and Ohio DNR
What strategy and tactics worked? OEC &
NWF lawsuit and politics
When did we win? Tighter permits, dam
removals, and the state’s Watershed
Coordinator program
C di

4. Case study: Household
Sewage Treatment
Systems
What was the policy goal?
Modernize Ohio’s “septic
systems” law
What data was available? Health
department and OSU surveys
with failure rates and e coli
concentrations
How did we make the connection
between data and policy? “The
current law allows children and
pets to touch raw sewage”
Who was the targeted decision-
maker? Ohio General Assembly
What strategy and tactics
worked? A Republican ally and
strong messaging
When did we win? Still waiting!

5. Tools
Messaging
• Drinking water
• Beach closures
• Children
• Fairness
• Responsibility
• Other
Media
• Newspapers (editorial boards, letters to
p p
the editor, press releases, more)
)
• TV
• Radio
• Other
Public participation opportunities
• Permit hearings
• Rulemaking comments
• Other
Legal
• Lawsuits
• Verified complaints
• CWA citizen suits
ii i
• Other

6. Targets
Elected officials
• Congress
• Ohio General Assembly
• County Commissioners
• Local officials
• Other
Agencies
• OEPA
• ODNR
• ODH
• Local agencies
• Other
Other targets
• Private sector/industry
• Neighbors/public opinion
• Other

7. Types of data
Biological (f h diversity and health,
l l (fish d dh l h
macroinvertebrates, other)
Chemical (pH, dissolved oxygen, mercury,
other)
Physical (erosion, vegetation, other)
Aesthetic (smell, color, other)
Human health (illness, antibiotic resistance,
other)
Economic (t i
E i (tourism, water supply, other)
t l th )
Other

8. Policy opportunities
Scenic and Wild Rivers
d ld
Clean Water Restoration Act
Wetlands and vernal pools/401s
Water Quality Rules
Clean Water Act enforcement
CAFO’s/Industrial agriculture
Other agricultural sources
Pharmaceuticals
AG programs/CRP/EQIP

9. More policy opportunities
Credible Data Program
d bl
Pollutant trading
Agricultural Ditches
Stormwater
Sewer overflows/CSO s
overflows/CSO’s
NPDES point sources
CWA 208 planning/sewer lines
Coal mining/AMD
Phosphorus

10. More policy opportunities
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
k
Lake Erie LaMP
BEACH Act
Great Lakes Legacy Act
Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife
Restoration Act
Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement
Great Lakes Compact
Invasive species/Ballast Water

11. How You Can Get Involved
« Become an OEC Member
Join a network of more than 3,000
individuals & groups around the
state
t t
« Take Action
Sign up for OEC’s action alerts, call &
write your lawmakers, get involved
in community issues
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