Good News for Ohio Bicyclists: Law Moving Ahead

From the Ohio Bicycle Federation:  Contact:  Chuck Smith Telephone: 937-280-4288 Cell:937-369-3423 Email : bikeohio@gmail.com Website:www.ohiobike.org

HB 154 Passes General Assembly, on to governor kasich

Passing clearance of at least 3 feet and proceeding when not detected

Columbus, Ohio, December 10, 2016– With final adjournment for the session looming, the Ohio General Assembly on Thursday brought a successful conclusion to a seven-year effort at improving bicycling law in Ohio.   By a 30 to 1 vote yesterday, the Ohio Senate approved House Bill 154, which will:

1.       Set the safe distance for passing Ohio bicyclists at 3 feet.

2.       Permit all Ohio vehicles to proceed through an intersection after stopping and yielding right-of-way when not detected by the device meant to move the signal from red to green.

Ohio Bicycle Federation Chair Chuck Smith said, “The passing of House Bill 154 was a team effort in which the Ohio Bicycle Federation received support from all cycling organizations in Ohio and their members.  The Ohio Sierra Club also provided great support in this effort.  It was everyone contacting their elected representatives which brought this success.  Representative  Mike Henne of northern Montgomery County and his staffer Kevin Arnst did excellent work in moving HB 154 through the legislative hurdles!  Our other primary sponsor was Representative Mike Sheehy of Toledo.  We have
33 House and 7 Senate co-sponsors.  Senator Troy Balderson of Zanesville introduced an identical bill in the Senate.  After HB 154 is signed into law, our job is to educate Ohioans regarding the importance of Ohio motorists leaving at least three feet of clearance when passing bicyclists.”

The legislation will become effective 90 days after Governor Kasich signs it.

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For more information, please contact Chuck Smith at 937-280-4288 or email him at bikeohio@gmail.com.

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

Change in the Weather, Change Stormwater Strategies Leaf Collection & Management

Tips from TMACOG's Stormwater Coalition

When you're raking or blowing leaves out of your yard, keep them out of the stormwater system. Here's some ideas. 

• Spread leaves like mulch in your planting beds or around trees. The leaves will decompose providing excellent fertilizer for your plants in the spring.
• Compost them.
• If you must dispose of leaves, use a community compost or yard waste facilities.
• Or participate in a residential leaf pick-up program. Most Stormwater Coalition member jurisdictions offer fall leaf collection (be sure to check with your jurisdiction for collection days in your area).

 Most residential leaf collection programs ask residents to rake leaves close to the streets, but not in them. Leaves raked into the streets can wash into storm drains and clog them. Excess organic matter in drains is never a good idea. Note that some jurisdictions do request that leaves are collected into the streets. If you live in one of these communities, wait to rake them into the street until the day or week of collection and keep piles away from drains. 

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

Rotary Lake Erie Conference - October 28, 2016

Elected officials, water quality professionals, and concerned citizens are invited to attend the second annual Rotary Lake Erie Watershed Conference. The full-day program will be held Friday, October 28, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SeaGate Convention Centre. It is a project of the Toledo Rotary. Registration is $80 for individuals and $260 for a package of four. The fee includes a continental breakfast and luncheon. More information about the agenda is on the Rotary webpages here.

The morning program will give attendees the latest news from around Lake Erie. An afternoon breakout session will offer information on various projects and programs aimed at finding and implementing solutions. TMACOG staff will participate on a panel providing information for homeowners: how household decisions on products and practices affect water quality.

•	Director Jon Capacasa, Region 3 EPA, lead on the Chesapeake Bay Program TMDL
•	Dr. Jeff Reutter, Ohio State University Stone Lab Past Director and Special Advisor
•	Karl Gebhardt, Ohio EPA, Deputy Director for Water Resources
•	Adam Sharp, Executive Vice President of the Ohio Farm Bureau
•	Mary Jane Slaton, Program Manager for the City of Fort Wayne

joining Jennifer Jones, Rotary International Director (Windsor, Canada).




Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

TMACOG in the News: Water Supply and Bicycle Plans

Here are some clips from the region's newspapers about TMACOG and TMACOG members. 

9/14/16. TMACOG mentioned in relation to stormwater and water supply questions.

http://www.sent-trib.com/news/rossford-passes-moratorium-on-medical-marijuana/article_96954de0-79b2-11e6-8aab-f7b456d7b412.html

9/12/16. Regional water study released (Wood County)

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2016/09/12/Last-water-distribution-study-done-Communities-to-decide-what-system-to-use.html

9/07/16. Oregon Bikeways

http://www.presspublications.com/18592-oregon-applies-for-grant-for-bikeway-preservation

9/6/16. Bike Sharing Grant

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2016/09/06/Toledo-eyes-bike-sharing-Metroparks-wants-grant-to-bring-stations-to-city.html

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

TMACOG Paid Internship!

WATER QUALITY INTERN

The Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) is seeking a motivated student for work in its Water Quality Department. Must be able to work an average of 20 hours per week from late September through November. Internship may be extended through December if available.

Advice for Septic System Owners

Regulations have changed for homeowners who use home sewage treatment systems - usually septic systems. It's important to keep your system maintained and cleaned out regularly to avoid costly repairs. If you have questions about what kind of system you have and how to maintain it, contact your county health department. And watch this short video about how septic systems work:


















Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org

New Parks added to Area Districts

In Wood County, a 61-acre property will open to the public Saturday, August 27. There will be a grand opening from 1 pm to 4 pm.  The Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve is in Perrysburg Township, at 26940 Lime City Road. The Sawyer family donated the property to the park district through the Black Swamp Conservancy in 2013. There will be a shuttle service available from Perrysburg Township Hall.

In Lucas County, the Middlegrounds Metropark will have its grand opening Saturday, September 17 with family activities from noon to 5 p.m. and Rock the Middlegrounds from 5 p.m. to midnight. The evening festivities will feature live music with food, beer and wine available for purchase. Admission to the park is free all day. Middlegrounds Metropark, at 111 Ottawa Street, starts at the Anthony Wayne bridge and stretches 1.5 miles upriver, providing sweeping views of the Maumee River, downtown skyline and opposite shore. To get to the park, use the blue bridge at the foot of Washington Street, where Owens Corning headquarters is located. Then turn right onto Ottawa Street and follow it to the park entrance, just past the Anthony Wayne Bridge.

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments | www.tmacog.org