ODNR Office of Coastal Management - Regulatory


Logo: Ohio Coastal Management Program

Office of Coastal Management
105 West Shoreline Drive
Sandusky, OH 44870

419-626-7980
1-888-OhioCMP
Fax: 419-626-7983

coastal@dnr.state.oh.us

Website Inquiries




Timeline for:

Draft OAC Rules 1501-6-01 to 1501-6-40
Merrill vs. State of Ohio |  Ohio's Submerged Lands Leasing program


In an effort to update and clarify policies regarding development along Ohio’s Lake Erie coast, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is proposing revisions to and drafting new Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules for Section 1501-6.

  • The most recent rule development process began in 2007.
  • The most recent draft rules were posted here on August 11, 2008.
    (Black text is existing rules; blue text represents changes; green text is intended to provide clarity.)

  • The rule development process was put on hold, awaiting clarification by the courts on various issues in the Merrill case which was before the Ohio Supreme Court.
  • A decision was issued in the case on Wednesday September 14, 2011. Read the decision here: http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/docs/pdf/0/2011/2011-Ohio-4612.pdf  

Steps in the rule development process along with a general history of the state of Ohio's Submerged Lands Leasing program are listed in reverse chronological order below and are current as of September 14, 2011.


Select a link from below to jump to a timeframe in the rule development process, or scroll down.

2011
February events below
September
events below

2010

February
events below
March events below November events below
2009

August
events below


October events below


2008
January
events below
June
events below
July
events below
August events below September events below
2007



July 13
Gov. Strickland issues new regulatory policy for Submerged Lands Leases

August
events below


September
events below



October
events below


December 11
Ruling issued in Lake County Common Pleas Court


2007

June 21 - SB 189 is introduced to change ORC 1506.

2005

April 19 - HB 206 and SB 127 are introduced to change ORC 1506.

2004




November 30 - ODNR files draft rules to for OAC 1501-6 with JCARR. After a public hearing in January, ODNR pulls the draft rules.
May 28 - Lawsuit is filed in Lake County Common Pleas Court against the state of Ohio and ODNR (Case No. 04cv001081)

2003




December 10 - Am HB 218 is passed by the Ohio House
September 16 - HB 276 is introduced to change ORC 1506.
June 10 - HB 218 is introduced to change ORC 1506.

2002








May 16 - HB 583 is introduced to change ORC 1506.
May 15 - ODNR announces that it will create an Office of Coastal Management to administer the Ohio Coastal Management Program. The creation of the office marks the first time in state history that the administration of the permitting and leasing programs for shore structures built along Ohio's coast will be in the same office. The Office of Coastal Management is located in Sandusky, adjacent to Lake Erie, to further promote efficiencies in effectively serving coastal residents and communities.
1998

June 1 - Ohio's Coastal Erosion Area Program begins (see CEA Permits)

1997

May 16 - The Ohio Coastal Management Program is federally approved.

1989


March 15 - ODNR is given the responsibility for administering the Submerged Lands Lease program in accordance with Ohio Revised Code §1506 and Ohio Administrative Code §1501-6.

1982

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services assumes the responsibility for administering Submerged Lands Leases.

1955




The Ohio Department of Public Works assumed responsibility for administering all Submerged Lands Leases in the state.

The ODNR Division of Shore Erosion begins issuing Shore Structure Permits.


1917 Submerged Lands Leases are first administered in Ohio. Originally, most leases were administered by communities along Ohio’s 312-mile coast.




  • September 14, 2011 The Ohio Supreme Court releases a decision in the Merrill case. Download a PDF copy.





  • November 29, 2010 The Ohio Supreme Court issues a notice that oral arguments are scheduled for February 1, 2011. (read notice in case No. 2009-09-18060).

  • March 3, 2010 The Ohio Supreme Court grants jurisdiction in the Merrill vs. State of Ohio cases and agrees to hear the appeal and cross-appeal. Each of these Ohio Supreme Court entries for this case can be viewed as a PDF files on the court's Webpage for this case No. 2009-09-1806.

  • Feb. 1, 2010 Since the first appeals were filed on October 7, 2009, at least 35 additional entries have been filed for the case of Merrill vs. State of Ohio  in the Ohio Supreme Court. Each of these entries can be viewed as a PDF file on the Ohio Supreme Court's Webpage for this case No. 2009-09-1806.
  • Oct. 7, 2009 The Ohio Attorney General's Office and the ODNR file a joint notice of appeal in the Ohio Supreme Court to the District Appellate Court decision in the case of Merrill vs. State of Ohio (Case No. 2009-09-1806 ). The parties filed a joint notice of appeal but separate Memoranda in Support of Jurisdiction.
  • Oct. 7, 2009 Second notice of appeal of National Wildlife Federation and Ohio Environmental Council (PDF)
    • Memorandum in support of jurisdiction of National Wildlife Federation and Ohio Environmental Council (PDF)
  • Aug. 24, 2009 Ruling issued by the 11th District Appellate Court in the case of Merrill vs. State of Ohio (Case No. 2008-L-007).

  • Sept. 30, 2008 Comments on rules submitted by:
1. National Wildlife Federation 3. Ohio Lakefront Group 5. Ohio Environmental Council (third comments)
2. Kent Environmental Council 4. Homer S. Taft 6. Robin Mullet 


  • Sept. 29, 2008 Comments on rules submitted by:
1. Kathleen J. Bradley 4. William Drolsbaugh 7. Rachael Kahny 10. Wade Wolf
2. Kaye Presutti   5. Matt Feightner 8. Mary and Richard King  
3. Suzanne Watkins-Martinez 6. Rebecca Ferguson 9. Mary Beth Lohse  


  • Sept. 28, 2008 Comments on rules submitted by:
1. Vicci Weeks 6. Tom Schneider 11. Judith Cleaver 16. Amber MacPherson
2. Chris Barton 7. T. Schroeder 12. Gilbert DiSanto 17. Mary Lou Wright
3. Melissa Ochal 8. Janine Wochna 13. Dale Giese  
4. Lenard Presutti 9. Eric Brooker 14. Julie Kozel  
5. Janis Scalone 10. Margaret Champion 15. Brian Kwiatkoski  


  • Sept. 27, 2008 Comments on rules submitted by:
1. Debbie Newbold 6. John Smith 11. William and Beverly Collins 16. Dallas Kistler
2. Patricia Phillips 7. Lisa Sullivan 12. Gary Cowell Jr. 17. Gwen Lambert
3. Maryanne Rackoff 8. Rev. Crow Swimsaway, PhD. 13. Jean Durbin 18. Virginia Mattson
4. Vanessa Rayburn 9. Jean Taddie 14. Elizabeth Glasgow  
5. Robert Redmon 10. Sandra Wagner 15. David Jury  


  • Sept. 26, 2008 Comments on rules submitted by:
1. Patricia Anzells 13. Patrick Hayes 25. Kathleen Morris 37. David Simons
2. Tony Arnold 14. Diane Hert 26. Scott Mosier 38. Laurene Sims
3. Ruth Bartley 15. Marilyn Holodnak 27. Michael Norden 39. James Skalsky
4. Christine Bradish 16. Paul Hopkins 28. William Oberjohn 40. Karen Smith
5.Jill Brotman 17. David R. Kass 29. Mark Parr 41. Jim Spurgat
6. P. Jean Champoux 18. Gary Larbes 30. Stacy Rullman 42. Alice Stewart
7. Beverly DeFord 19. Glenna March 31. Debbie Sanders 43. April Toeppe
8. Susan Duchossis 20. Ann McGill 32. Debora Schmitt 44. Robert Wagner
9. James Frost 21. Gail Meese 33. Jim Schneider 45. Bill Weber
10. Terry Fulmer 22. Charles Mills 34. Gayle Schuett 46.Dianne Wilson
11. Beverly Gage 23. Wendy Mitchell 35. Kimberly Selvage  
12. Jean Hall 24. Geoffrey Modderman 36. Karen Shanafelt  


  • Sept. 25, 2008 Comments on rules submitted by:

1. Walter C. Wehenkel 36. Leland Hall 71. James Lozorchak 106. Jacob Saborse
2. Martin Ackermann 37. Sharon Hamersley 72. Robert Malek 107. Eric Schickendantz
3. Christopher Arnett 38. Kathryn Hanratty 73. Debbie Martin 108. John Schmittauer
4. Daniel Bachman II 39. Holly Heighberger 74. Shannon Mayfield-Chapin 109. Katherine Schwirzinski
5. David Barr 40. Betty Jean Herner 75. Brian McCafferty 110. S.J. Sc
6. Robert Bauer 41. Leanna Hieber 76. Mitzie McElhaney 111. Adele Shelton
7. Dee Bell 42. David and Shelly Hopson 77. Cindy Pardee and Phil McPherson 112. Kenneth Sloane
8. Sandy Bihn 43. Mary Jo Hostnik 78. Valerie Mettler 113. Danielle Smeach
9. Meredith Blaine 44. Hedy Jones 79. Kristy Meyer 114. Karen Smith
10. Ali Boraby 45. Pamela Jordan 80. Lisa Milks 115. Lisa Stanley
11. Elizabeth Brennan 46. Barbara Juknialils 81. Leslie Miller 116. Heather Starck
12. Lisa Brohl 47.Bill Katakis 82. Patricia Miller 117. Raymond Stewart
13. Erik Bruder 48. Charles Kegley 83. P Barry Palmer 118. Jacqueline Stimpert
14. Dr. Robert Brugler 49. Ted Kelly 84. Jennifer Mills 119. Barbara A. Stone
15. Jill Canoyer 50. Dennis Kemm 85.RJ and K Mitchell 120. Richard Strawser
16. Christine Carlson 51. Don Kleinhenz 86. Rose Mohler 121. Daniel Struble
17. Sandra Castle 52. Rich and Linda Kolehmainen 87. Mary Moynihan-Simon 122. Doreen Svarny
18. Tim Chavez 53. Constance Kowalksi 88. Richard Munson 123. Dean Swartz
19. Liz Clingman 54. Daniel Kozminski 89. Peggy Oates 124. Gina Swindell
20. Debra Connor 55. Sonja Kraljevic 90. Penny O’Connor 125. Cindy Takaht
21. Erin Core-Stine 56. Suzanne Kral 91. Carol O’Laughlin 126. John Templine
22. Mark Cosgriff, PE 57. Patricia Krebs 92. Allan Orashan 127. George Tobias
23. Johann Cozart 58. Rich Kriska 93. Procol J. Payer 128. Jessica Vanhook
24. Dianne Doss 59. Dorothy Kusold 94. Harriet Pedone 129. Jim and Virginia Wagner
25. John Dupps 60. Michael Kuth 95. Ryan Pulis 130. Mary Ann Wagner
26.Therese Dowd 61. Stephanie Lazorchak 96. Gary and Marla Puthoff 131. Kate Webb
27. Kenneth Etter 62. Cherie Le Bouton 97. Hilda Ratti 132. Karen Wendling
28. Susan Evilsizer 63. R. Lee 98. Stephan Revard 133. Susan Williams
29. Chris Faulkner 64. R.D. Lee 99. Kimberly Riley 134. Francille Willis
30. Cynthia Foiles 65. Mary Levey 100. Peter Roberts 135. John Wilson
31. Glenn Friedman 66. David Lewis 101. Randel Rogers 136. Michael Witt
32. Sherry Gbison 67. Andrew Lihani 102. Mary Anne Romito 137. Valorie Wolcott Mendelson
33. BettyJean Green 68. Karen Linn 103. Arlene Ryan 138. Stephen Zerefos
34. David Greene 69. Anita Lock 104. Kevin Ryan  
35. Randolph Gyulay 70. Ann Logan 105. Amber Sabo  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 
 




 
  • Aug. 29, 2008 News release announcing public meetings from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on three consecutive Thursdays in September (4, 11, 18), is re-issued.
  • Aug. 11, 2008 The latest version of Draft OAC Rules 1501-6-01 to 1501-06-40 was posted on the Office of Coastal Management website.
  • Aug. 8, 2008 News release announcing public meetings from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on three consecutive Thursdays in September (4, 11, 18), is issued.
  • Aug. 7, 2008 Members of the Ohio Lakefront Group meet with Office of Coastal Management staff in Sandusky to follow-up on and continue with discussions from the July 23 meeting in Columbus. 
  • July 23, 2008 Members of the Ohio Lakefront Group meet with ODNR administration and Office of Coastal Management staff in Columbus to discuss the revised draft rules.
  • June 6, 2008 A letter is mailed to consultants providing general guidelines for the application and review of current requests under ORC 1506.11 for Submerged Land Authorizations within the territory of Lake Erie.

  • January to August 2008 The original version of the proposed draft OAC rules is updated and reviewed to reflect applicable court rulings, and concerns voiced by littoral property owners, local decision makers, the general public, and others who have an interest in Lake Erie. 

 

  • Nov. 15, 2007 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management mails a letter to the Ohio Coastal Management Program (Office of Coastal Management) commenting on the draft revised rules. (Letter Part 1) (Letter Part 2).

If you have questions or comments about the proposed Draft OAC Rules 1501-6-01 to 1501-6-40 or the rule making processes, please contact the ODNR Office of Coastal Management at coastal@dnr.state.oh.us or 419-626-7980.