COLUMBUS, OH A series of public meetings scheduled for August will give Ohioans an opportunity to discuss revised draft agreements by the Great Lakes states and provinces to strengthen management and protection of the waters in the Great Lakes basin.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will sponsor four public meetings:
- Columbus
- Thursday, August 11 3 to 5 p.m.
- ODNR Headquarters Bldg. E Assembly Center
- 2045 Morse Road Columbus
- Huron
- Wednesday, August 17 1 to 3 p.m.
- Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Center
- 2514 Cleveland Road E. Huron
- Toledo Area
- Wednesday, August 17 7 to 9 p.m.
- Maumee Bay State Park Lodge
- 1750 State Park Road 2 (off N. Curtice Road) Oregon
- Cleveland/Akron Area
- Thursday, August 18 7 to 9 p.m.
- Independence Civic Center
- 6363 Selig Boulevard Independence
The revised draft agreements, called the Annex 2001 Implementing Agreements, include a ban on diversions of water with limited exceptions, and a requirement for the states and provinces to conduct joint review of water withdrawal proposals that result in large scale consumptive uses or proposed exceptions to the ban on diversions. Revisions were made to the initial draft of these agreements in response to an earlier public comment period and meetings held throughout the Great Lakes region last summer.
“These proposed agreements are intended to ensure that future water use is environmentally sound and that conservation measures are in place to preserve this tremendous natural resource for future generations to enjoy,” said Governor Bob Taft, co-chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors.
“Thanks to the involvement of people from Ohio and throughout the Great Lakes region, we were able to improve on our original proposal to make these agreements more practical, workable and reasonable,” Taft said.
Last summer, more than 10,000 public comments were received concerning the first draft of the agreements, and the changes made to the revised draft agreements reflect many of the suggestions and concerns raised by the public. Revised draft agreements were released by the governors and premiers on June 30, beginning a 60-day public comment period that closes on August 29.
The complete text of the revised drafts, with additional information and directions for submitting comments, may be accessed on the ODNR website (www.ohiodnr.com) or the Council of Great Lakes Governors website (www.cglg.org). The public may also comment by writing to Annex Comments, ODNR Division of Water, 2045 Morse Road, Bldg. E., Columbus, OH 43229 or by e-mail to annexcomments@dnr.state.oh.us. Once the 60-day review period is complete, a final document will be prepared for the governors’ and premiers’ review and consideration for signature later this year.