1. Dearborn County – Water Quality Management Plan
“208” Planning:
Section 208 of the Clean Water Act calls for plans to manage waste treatment in areas with substantial water quality control problems.
The intent of “208” was to avoid local duplication of effort and stretch tax payer dollars for wastewater facilities.
You’ve probably heard the term “208” Planning in the past when we’ve talked about water quality planning at OKI.
That’s because Section 208 of the Clean Water Act deals with water quality planning on a regional scale, in metropolitan areas like OKI.
The intent was to avoid local duplication of effort and stretch taxpayer dollars for wastewater treatment.

2. Dearborn County – Water Quality Management Timeline
1974
1978
1979
1984
2010
2011
2012
2015
IDEM meets with OKI regarding “208” update review
IDEM grant to OKI for “208” plan update
OKI designated as “208” agency
July
IDEM meets with OKI regarding concerns
Ohio County opts out of OKI
OKI submits “208” update to IDEM
“208” plan adopted by OKI
EXPLAIN :
In 1974, OKI was designated by State of Indiana as “208” agency for Dearborn and Ohio Counties
In 1978, the “208” Plan was adopted by OKI
In 1979, the “208” Plan was approved by Indiana
In 1984, Ohio County opted out of OKI
In 2010, IDEM gave OKI a grant to update the “208” Plan.
After OKI submitted the successful 208 plan update in 2011, we awaited certification from IDEM.  After eight months, we met with IDEM in February 2012 and were told it would take an indefinite time for the review of the OKI update.  After three more years of trying to get an answer from IDEM regarding certification of the “208” update, we finally met with them in June 2015. 
At that meeting, it became clear that IDEM would never certify the OKI update.  IDEM expressed concern that differences between the OKI update’s recommendations and state practices are likely to cause confusion or delay in future wastewater permitting for the County. Because OKI does not want to contribute to any confusion or delays in solving water quality problems, staff recommends that a request be made to the Indiana Governor to “de-designate” OKI as the areawide agency for waste treatment management planning in Dearborn and Ohio Counties.  After de-designation of an areawide agency, the State of Indiana becomes directly responsible for continued water quality planning and oversight of implementation within the affected area.
* Delay
** Won’t Approve
*** Don’t recognize 208 in rest of State (IDEM hasn’t dealt with 208 in the rest of the State for many years)
OKI approved 208 plan update in May 2012
Nov
“208” plan approved by Indiana
IDEM acknowledges OKI’s successful grant completion