Case Study in Stormwater Management

A broad regional partnership, which includes TMACOG Stormwater Coalition members, the University of Toledo, and Clay High School, is working to quantify the value of stormwater best management practices. Following is an overview of the projects planned.

Rainwater and snowmelt present water pollution problems and water volume problems. In urban areas with lots of pavement, stormwater runs over parking lots and driveways collecting debris and chemicals. A heavy storm can overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flooding. Current practices say that stormwater is best managed close to where it falls, using natural percolation through the soil, and low-maintenance infrastructure. Stormwater managers in this region now employ several strategies to keep stormwater out of the storm sewer system, treat it naturally, and put the water to beneficial use.

Upcoming Events -January 2014

TMACOG General Assembly

Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at the Holiday Inn French Quarter, Perrysburg

Contact: Tony Reams, 419.241.9155 ext. 179

TMACOG Tech: Ohio Sunshine Law

Friday, April 4, 2014. Location TBD

Contact: Peggy Ricard, 419.241.9155 ext. 105

Transportation Summit

Friday, April 11, 2014. The Pinnacle, 1772 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee

Contact: Christine Drennen, 419.241.9155 ext. 119

TMACOG Tech: Proactive Planning & Design for Disabled and Aging Populations

Friday, May 9, 2014. Location TBD

Contact: Tony Reams, 419.241.9155 ext. 179

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

Specialized Transportation Funds Awarded

Agencies that serve elderly and disabled people can apply for Specialized Transportation funds that pay for 80 percent of the cost of a passenger van or other transportation-related materials. ODOT has announced awards for the current round of applications. This year the program will fund 48 vehicles in 34 counties. In Lucas County the Anne Grady Center was awarded two passenger vans and the South Toledo Senior Center (the Margaret Hunt Senior Center, Inc.) will receive one. In Wood County, the Wood County Children’s Services Association also will get a van. TMACOG receives and scores applications for Lucas and Wood counties.  

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

Welcome New Members

TMACOG is pleased to welcome the City of Monroe as a returning governmental member and Toledo Botanical Garden as a new non-governmental member.

The City of Monroe is also the county seat of Monroe County, Michigan. It has a population of nearly 23,000 and Monroe is located about 17 miles north of Toledo. Other TMACOG members in Monroe County include the townships of Erie and Whiteford, the Port of Monroe, and Monroe County Community College.

Toledo Botanical Garden is a free public garden that serves the region as a living museum and a center for horticulture and the arts. Toledo Botanical Garden is a public/private partnership between the Metroparks of the Toledo Area and the non-profit Toledo Botanical Garden Board, Inc. in collaboration with the City of Toledo. TMACOG has partnered with the garden in recent years on a large project to remove dams and improve water features on the grounds.

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

Public Involvement Policy – Comments Requested

TMACOG has updated and revised its agency-wide public involvement policy and is inviting public review and comment. The draft policy is posted on the TMACOG website. The policy describes how TMACOG ensures public input, shows maps of environmental justice areas and low-income areas in the TMACOG planning region, and includes links to relevant federal regulations. The public comment period will last until Monday, November 3. Interested people are invited to review the document and send any comments to getinvolved@tmacog.org.

Regular evaluation and revision of the public involvement policy is one way that TMACOG ensures that the entire community is reflected in regional plans. TMACOG is committed to engaging active and representative public involvement from the entire region. Ongoing and meaningful public involvement in TMACOG planning activities ensures that projects and policies reflect local goals and needs. 

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

Governor Approves Region’s 208 Plan

Ohio Governor John Kasich has certified TMACOG's “208 Plan,” the Areawide Water Quality Management Plan, and it is officially part of the state of Ohio Statewide Water Quality Management Plan.  Certification is important because the Ohio Director of the EPA must deny permits that conflict with the 208 Plan. The plan that Governor Kasich has approved was certified by the TMACOG Board of Directors in July 2013. It includes significant amendments needed by Port Clinton and Ottawa County to accommodate development.  In July 2014, TMACOG completed and submitted another update to Ohio EPA. That version is pending with Ohio EPA.

 The 208 Plan is reviewed and updated as needed to ensure that sewerage plans in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wood counties in Ohio and Bedford, Erie, and Whiteford townships of Monroe County, Michigan continue to meet the standards of the Clean Water Act and adapt to community needs.

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