Regional approach. Voluntary adoption.
Lake Erie Shore Erosion Management Plan
To assist property owners in their efforts to control lake-based erosion, the ODNR is developing the Lake Erie Shore Erosion Management Plan (LESEMP). By viewing erosion on a regional scale, the LESEMP products are able to incorporate several characteristics of the Ohio coast, including shore and nearshore geology, as well as habitat for a myriad of species.
Why is an erosion control program necessary?
Erosion along Ohio's Lake Erie shore has been a noted issue for decades. Over the years, different types of erosion control measures have shown mixed results. The LESEMP aims to promote successful means of controlling erosion by developing erosion control recommendations that are based on regional site conditions. For instance, a stretch of shore with similar site conditions and erosion issues will have one set of recommended erosion control options. The size of each reach and the recommendations formed will all be determined as the project unfolds. The overall objective of this approach to erosion control is to simplify the decision process while enhancing the effectiveness of selected control measures.
Regions
The LESEMP development is an on-going process with each region being selected, analyzed, and recommendations developed before moving onto the next region. The first region selected is Ashtabula County. While the main objective in selecting regions is to account for natural features and erosion issues, the county boundary in this area is actually a good identifier of changes to the coastal setting. The next region will be selected around the time the recommendations for Ashtabula County are being finalized.
Public Input and Involvement
One of the main tenets of the LESEMP is public involvement throughout the development process. The LESEMP has and will continue to obtain information from local officials and property owners. The first method used to gain information from these two target audiences was a Needs Assessment consisting of a series of focus groups and a questionnaire. This tool's objective was to gain insight into the viewpoints of property owners and public officials along Ohio’s 312-mile Lake Erie coast. The Needs Assessment is applicable to all of LESEMP regions.
After Ashtabula County was selected as the first region of focus, a second campaign to acquire public input into the LESEMP involved a series of meetings with public officials and the general public. These meetings were designed to have the participants provide information on sites of erosion concern. The sites could be specific locations such as township parks or may include more general ideas such as sediment resource issues.
The first meeting in this series was with county-level officials, allowing for insight into the bigger picture issues. Shortly following that meeting were discussions with the public officials from each municipality along the Ashtabula County lakeshore. The third step was three Public Input Meetings held at various locations along the Ashtabula County’s Lake Erie shore. The Public Input Meetings were designed to allow participants to express concerns about erosion or ask questions regarding the LESEMP and lakeshore erosion. Information from all of the meetings will be considered for inclusion within the final LESEMP recommendations for Ashtabula County.
The process used in Ashtabula County to obtain public input will be replicated in each of the remaining regions.
Currently
The LESEMP is currently focusing on drafting recommendations for Ashtabula County. The recommendations will be based on the specific erosion issues, geology and habitat of various areas within the county. Often those areas will be referred to as reaches. Once the recommendations are drafted a second round of public meetings will be held. At that time, the public may again provide comments and suggestions or ask questions regarding any of the LESEMP products.
All information and materials created for the LESEMP program will be available on-line and in print/DVD-form upon request.
The LESEMP is led by ODNR partners including the Office of Coastal Management, the Division of Geological Survey, and the Division of Wildlife. Assistance to the program has been provided by Ohio Sea Grant College Program, the Ohio Coastal Training Program, and an external workgroup of state and federal agency representatives, non-governmental staff, and university researchers.
For more information:
Contact LESEMP Coordinator Amanda Wenczel at 419-626-7980 x4110.
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