What is a Remedial Action Plan (RAP)?
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, as amended by 1987 protocol, directs the United States or Canada to cooperate with state or provincial governments to develop and implement a Remedial Action Plan or RAP for all Areas of Concern. There are four AOC’s and accompanying RAP’s in Northern Ohio, including portions of the Cuyahoga, Astabula, and Maumee rivers and the Black River in its entirety. All of these rivers feed Lake Erie and contribute to the water quality problems of the lake. All RAP’s pursue an ecosystem approach to restoring and protecting beneficial uses, which include recreation, fishing, navigation, drinking water, and aquatic ecosystems. RAPs typically follow a three stage process which includes: a) identifying problems through water quality and land-use assessments; b) a detailed set of steps to determine responsible parties and a time table for actions; and c) documentation and evaluation of action steps to determine progress.
