Water Pollution Cincinnati Mill Creek

e presentation will give a brief history of greater Cincinnati's Mill Creek, including the several major sources of pollution which contributed to its extreme degradation and being named "the most endangered urban river in North America" by American Rivers in 1997. I will then describe how Mill Creek Alliance has worked with communities, residents, and businesses for over 25 years to restore and protect the stream and its watershed. The once biologically dead stream is now roaring back to life and MCA hosts paddling, biking, birdwatching, and hiking along its banks. It is now a hidden gem that is serving as a catalyst for drawing people, businesses, and economic development to its communities.
Dave Schmitt is Executive Director of the Mill Creek Alliance, having served in this role since 2017. He brings considerable experience in river conservation, solid waste management, brownfield remediation and the gamut of environmental laws and regulations. Dave earned a B.S. in Biology from Marietta College, an M.S. in Forestry from the University of Maine, and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Dave practiced environmental law for 25 years with Cors & Bassett, LLC and has served on the Board of Directors of a number of environmental groups including American Rivers, the Ohio Environmental Council, KY Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, Grant County Solid Waste Management District. Dave recently served on the Steering Committee of the Green Cincinnati Plan, as well as Chair of its Natural Environment Subcommittee.
Dave lives in Crittenden, KY with his wife Lea, where in his spare time he enjoys hiking, paddling, bird watching, reading, and cheering for the F.C. Bayern Munich football club.
We meet on the 17th floor or the ball room on the first floor. Check comments the day of the meeting for more details