TOLEDO, OH -- Citizens concerned with the future of the Lake Erie watershed are invited to voice their opinions at a series of informational open houses in January and February on the Balanced Growth Initiative of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission (OLEC).
A blue ribbon task force was formed in 2001 to study linkages between land use and water quality in the Lake Erie Watershed and the impacts that growth will ultimately have on the lake. The panel was asked to recommend ways that state and local communities could better promote sustainable development. Draft plans developed by the task force are now ready.
Drafts of "Linking Land Use And Lake Erie: A Planning Framework for Achieving Balanced Growth in the Ohio Watershed" and "Best Local Land Use Practices" will be presented from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on January 28 at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, Huntington Reservation, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village. Similar meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on February 3 at the OLEC Office, 1 Maritime Plaza, Toledo, and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on February 5 in the Blue And Gold Room of the Kent State University Branch Campus, 3325 W. 13th St., Ashtabula.
Members of the OLEC staff and Balanced Growth Panel members will be on hand to answer questions. Each meeting will include an audio-visual presentation on historic problems in the lake watershed and how panel recommendations will address those problems.
Attendees are invited to submit comments orally or in writing at the informational meetings. Comments can also be submitted by e-mail at lakeeriecommission@ameritech.net or by surface mail to the OLEC, 1 Maritime Plaza, Toledo, Ohio 43604. Comments will be accepted through February 18, 2004. The draft documents are available at the OLEC web site at http://www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo.html
The Ohio Lake Erie Commission is comprised of the directors of the Ohio departments of the environmental protection agency, natural resources, transportation, development, health and agriculture. The commission was established to preserve Lake Erie's natural resources, water quality and ecosystem. It also promotes economic development in the region.
The commission oversees the Ohio Lake Erie Protection Fund (LEPF). During the last 11 years, the commission has raised nearly $7 million through the sale of Lake Erie license plates. This money is used to fund LEPF grants that focus on improving the quality of Lake Erie and to furthering the goals laid out in the Lake Erie Protection & Restoration Plan.