Nominations Sought for Natural Resources Assistance Council in Lucas County

The Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC) is an 11-member committee that evaluates applications for and allocates grants from the Clean Ohio Fund in Lucas County. The council is seeking nominations to fill 4 vacancies, serving three-year terms. NRAC service is voluntary without compensation.

To be a candidate for a position on the NRAC committee, an applicant must be appointed by one of the following types of organizations:

• Local government
• Conservation or environmental organization
• Municipal park system or park district
• Business, realty, planning agency, or port authority
• Statewide organization representing agriculture or forestry
• Soil and Water Conservation District

Qualified candidates can submit applications to the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) until 5 p.m. August 24, 2018. TMACOG administers NRAC District 12 in Lucas County. Applicants should submit the completed nomination form, a resume, and letter from their organization in support of their nomination. The nomination form is posted at http://clean.ohio.gov/GreenSpaceConservation/Documents/nrac.nomination.form.pdf.

The Clean Ohio Fund was first approved by voters in 2000, and was renewed in 2018. The fund calls for $40 million to preserve natural areas and farmland, protects streams, create outdoor recreation opportunities, and rehabilitate brownfields in urban areas. Between 2000 and 2018, the Clean Ohio fund returned more than $15 million to Lucas County for the protection of open spaces and wetlands.

More about the Clean Ohio Fund and NRAC/12 are at http://www.tmacog.org/Environment/NRAC/nrac_body.htm  and http://www.pwc.state.oh.us/GSCDistrict12.html. For more information, contact Sara Guiher, Water Quality Planner at TMACOG at 419.241.9155 ext. 1147, or guiher@tmacog.org.

Submit completed applications to:

TMACOG

Sara Guiher

Water Quality Planner

P.O. Box 9508

Toledo OH 43697-9508

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

Potential Path for Paddlers

People from Pemberville in Wood County to Port Clinton in Ottawa County and communities in between have looked at the recreation potential of the Portage River for many years. Plans were recently dusted off for a proposal to include a water trail project in the Ohio State Capital Budget. While that funding opportunity did not come through, state agencies dealing with waterways say that the idea has merit and preliminary plans are positive.

At a meeting of the Portage River Basin Council held at the Pemberville Opera House on April 4, Tom Arbour, Water Trails Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and

Water/Wastewater Training

“Field Training & Asset Management for Water and Wastewater Operators and Engineers”
Wednesday, May 9, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Grand Lobby of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, Toledo

Topics

• ·         Human Assets: How to manage and motivate your staff
• ·         Asset Management: How to comply with Ohio EPA regulations
• ·         Asset Management: How to take action
• ·         GIS – Inventory of assets
• ·         Financial assistance programs
• ·         Stormwater
• ·         SCADA systems for water and wastewater treatment plants
• ·         Field Demonstrations: Sewer and manhole assessment, hydrant inspection

The registration fee is $40 for TMACOG members and $75 for non-TMACOG members. Attendees will be provided a light breakfast, lunch, and snacks, and will take home a flash drive with presentations. Operators and Professional Engineers will earn up to 6.0 contact hours.

For more information contact TMACOG Water Quality Planner Kris Barnswell: 419.241.9155, ext. 1123 or barnswell@tmacog.org. 

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

Stakeholder Meeting - Habitat Restoration

The general public, agricultural producers, and elected and appointed officials are invited to attend a discussion of the plans and potential projects for the following watersheds: Headwaters of Ten Mile Creek, Prairie Ditch, Ai Creeek, Fewless Creek/Swan Creek, and Lower Blue Creek.

Wednesday, February 21 5 - 6:30  p.m. 

at the Swanton Public Library. 305 Chestnut St., Swanton. 

Area agencies are developing habitat restoration plans and want public input on projects and priorities. Partners for the meeting are Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District, Lucas County, and the Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission.


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

Student Summit - Student Watershed Watch

 More than 130 students from upper elementary school to high school met at the University of Toledo Scott Park Campus for the annual Student Watershed Watch Summit on Friday, November 3. They presented results of their water quality testing research and explored careers in environmental science.

Rain Gardens in Destination Junction

Elected officials, neighbors, and interested citizens joined a bus tour of the Junction Avenue neighborhood September 29. They saw “blooms on Blum”, part of a greening plan on Blum street, heard about plans for a possible new City of Toledo park at the site of the unofficial Kwanzaa Park, and learned about a large sewer replacement program on Tecumseh and nearby streets that will include a large water control garden that crosses a street and will connect two blocks.  

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

Clean Ohio Funds Awarded to Metroparks

The Metroparks of the Toledo Area is the single beneficiary of the most recent round of Clean Ohio grants to preserve open space in Lucas County. The Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC), which evaluates Clean Ohio applications, announced their recommendation April 13, 2017. NRAC will recommend that the Metroparks be granted $1,898,471 for “East Riverfront Restoration – Phase 1.” The entire restoration is envisioned as three phases. The Metroparks is providing a local match of $740,442.

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

Ohio Stormwater Conference

Registration is now open for the 2017 Ohio Stormwater Conference. This year's event is May 10-12, at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Sandusky. Visit the conference website by clicking here.

According to the conference website, this event will provide updates on environmental issues, new technologies, regulatory information and pollution prevention. 

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

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

Now Hiring: Water Quality Planner / Engineer

TMACOG is accepting applications for a position in the Water Quality department. The water quality program is organized under the Water Quality Council. There are five program committees under the council. The advertised position will coordinate two of those committees; the TMACOG Wastewater and Public Water Supply Committees. See the complete job description and background information on the TMACOG webpage here.

Skill set:

·         Applicant must hold a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree in engineering, planning or related field. 

·         Strong leadership skills are required. The applicant will need the skills and interest to potentially lead a Water Quality program.

·         Position requires experience in applying statistical and graphic skills to analyzing and presenting data.

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential.

·         Knowledge and understanding of stormwater, sanitary sewerage, and public water supply systems is required.

TMACOG Member Caucus Questions

At the TMACOG Summer Caucus and Forum with State Lawmakers held Wednesday, August 4, each of the seven caucus groups generated questions for the panel of lawmakers. Not all of the questions could be addressed in the time allotted. Read on to see what your fellow TMACOG members cited as their most important concerns for lawmakers.

Stormwater Management at Hensville

As part of a local tour of green infrastructure May 26, stormwater planners and engineers stopped at the new Hensville by the Mud Hens ballpark. At the corner of Summit and Monroe in downtown Toledo, an old parking lot was re-purposed and re-engineered as part of an entertainment area. Before the renovation,  stormwater that flooded on the impervious parking lot drained to combined stormwater and sanitary sewers. After renovation, the stormwater is completely separated. Some is diverted to water elm and sycamore trees in deep tree boxes. Surplus joins the stormwater system.

Tim Bockbrader, a principal at Edge, a landscape architecture and urban design firm, shows local planners how stormwater from the roof is re-directed to water newly planted trees.

At many of installations on the bus tour, green infrastructure was apparent in the form of swales or retainment areas. At Hensville, all the infrastructure is below ground to maximize use of the urban property.


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

Tour Region's Green Infrastructure

Register now for the tour.
Hensville, Toledo Botanical Garden, Toledo Zoo. Lots to see and lots to learn. 

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

Whole lot of Green Infrastructure Innovation Going on

There is an awful lot of innovative green infrastructure to see in Toledo. Engineers and designers have been busy. Join this tour to improve how we handle stormwater and improve water quality. 

Elected officials and civic administrators: learn what design engineers are proposing for new strategies for green infrastructure. Engineers and architects: Hear from others who have addressed practical problems of construction and maintenance and see how these structures have improved water quality and aesthetics in urban areas.

Green Infrastructure Bus Tour

Thursday, May 26, 2016

8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Register now for the Green Infrastructure Tour. Print this Bus Tour flier and share with colleagues. 

Farmers Invited to Apply for Funds

The U.S. EPA recently announced a series of grants from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that will address both invasive species and excess nutrients in the lakes. TMACOG has been awarded nearly $500,000 to help farmers reduce the amount of nutrients that migrate from their fields to nearby waterways. Farmers in the Portage and Toussaint River watersheds are eligible. Contact your Ottawa or Wood County Soil & Water Conservation District Office. 

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

Clean Ohio Fund Recommendations

The Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC) has completed evaluations and will make recommendations for funding two projects through the Clean Ohio Fund that will preserve about 230 acres of open space in Lucas County. If approved as expected, state funding of $1,246,000 will return to Lucas County.

Both recommended projects are part of the Metroparks of the Toledo Area. The first priority is a project at Raab and Frankfort roads that would protect 133 acres with the purchase of four separate parcels. The properties are between Kitty Todd Preserve and the Irwin Prairie in western Lucas County. The land is part of the greater Oak Openings region and the acquisition contributes to a plan to connect the Oak Openings Preserve and Secor Metropark. Future plans call for the area to be restored as wet prairie which is habitat for Kirtland’s Warbler, the Least Bittern, and Blanding’s Turtle.

The second priority project in the Blue Creek area would protect 97 acres through the acquisition of four contiguous vacant parcels that abut the existing Blue Creek Metropark south of the Village of Whitehouse. The project area includes a wet woods classified as a category II wetland. The acquisition will double the length of protected corridor of Blue Creek and improve aquatic habitat. The Metroparks will provide significant local matching funds for both projects.

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

TMACOG is hiring a Watershed Planner

TMACOG is now accepting applications for a Water Infrastructure/Watershed Planner. This position will build the capacity of TMACOG’s Water Quality department. The successful candidate will align skills closely with needs of TMACOG members and regional water quality challenges.

The position will coordinate the TMACOG Watershed Committee and assist with both the Wastewater and Public Water Supply Committees. Technical functions will be to organize water quality, resource, and infrastructure data and conduct planning and watershed analyses for the Maumee, Portage, and Lake Erie Western Basin watersheds.

Applicants must hold at least a bachelor's degree in an appropriate planning-related field and must demonstrate some professional management experience in a related field. Position requires skills in applying statistical and graphic procedures relevant to analyzing and presenting data.

See more information about qualifications and the scope of work on the TMACOG webpages: http://www.tmacog.org/employment/Watershed_Planner_position.pdf. 

Applications are due by May 27. 

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

Ohio Stormwater Conference

Stormwater planners are invited to register early for the Ohio Stormwater Conference for the best price. Early registration ends April 15.  The conference will be May 4-6 at the Sharonville Convention Center in Sharonville, OH. This is the premier Ohio conference for stormwater planners. 

Register here: http://www.ohstormwaterconference.com

Local planners with questions can contact Kari Gerwin, Water Quality Planner II

Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments

p: 419.241.9155 ext. 103

gerwin@tmacog.org