A picture is worth a thousand words

Here is a perfect example of how the “machine” apparatus works in Clermont County. The following diagram is from the Clermont County Water Management and Sediment Control (WMSC) Regulations. It illustrates Storm Drain Inlet Protection -- how an inlet is supposed to be protected by bales of hay which filter out sediment so that it does not run off into the stormwater system. Note that (a) the bales of hay are touching as to create a barrier and (b) there are two stakes per bale.



STRAW BALE DROP INLET SEDIMENT FILTER
This method of inlet protection is applicable where the inlet drains a relatively flat area (slopes no greater than five (5) percent) where sheet or overland flows (not exceeding 0.5 cfs) are typical.

The photograph below is of the “sediment filter” on a site currently under construction in Miami Township, Clermont Co. Notice how the bales are not even touching and there is only one stake (which probably doesn’t even pierce the ground)! Nice work! UPDATE: As of Saturday, there are only two bales of hay left!

The County was notified and Chief Building Official, Ray Sebastian, has identified areas as not being in compliance with the County’s WMSC regulations. But rest assured the inspector will continue to monitor the situation and seek compliance! How about some hefty fines? Yeah, right!

Is it any surprise that the developer of this project sits on the County’s Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee?

I don't know about anyone else, but I would feel much more comfortable if the Chief Building Official (CBO) of my county had some kind of professional credentials, perhaps in engineering (P.E.) or architecture (A.I.A.). DNA (or marriage) that may link him to one of the three clowns that RUN the county is not considered, in my book, a credential.