TOLEDO, OH - The Ohio Lake Erie Commission (OLEC) will hold its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) located at 50 West Town Street in Columbus, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

During the Commission meeting, there will be a review of the status and recent progress on commission activities, including a review of the funded Lake Erie Protection Fund grants and Balanced Growth activities. Roger Knight, ODNR Division of Wildlife Lake Erie Program Administrator, will also discuss the impact of the algal blooms on Lake Erie fisheries.

Commission members are expected to act on the latest round of Lake Erie Protection Fund grant applications including the small grant applications for the second quarter of state fiscal year 2012. The commission oversees Ohio’s Lake Erie Protection Fund, which is a source of grant money for projects that benefit the Lake Erie watershed economically and environmentally. This fund is supported by Ohioans who purchase a Lake Erie license plate displaying the Marblehead Lighthouse or Toledo Harbor Lighthouse designed by Ohio artist Ben Richmond.

All OLEC meetings are open to the public and include reports from the member state agencies and advisory committees followed by a public comment period. Organizations and citizens are encouraged to attend this meeting.

The Ohio Lake Erie Commission was established for the purpose of preserving Lake Erie's natural resources, protecting the quality of its waters and ecosystem, and promoting economic development in the region. The director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources serves as the commission's chairman. Additional members include the directors of the state departments of Transportation, Health, Development, Agriculture and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

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Gail Hesse, Ohio Lake Erie Commission

419. 245. 2514