PUBLIC MEETINGS SET FOR AUGUST 26 IN TOLEDO TO DISCUSS DRAFT AGREEMENTS FOR PROTECTION OF GREAT LAKES WATERS: OH

COLUMBUS, OH - The first in a series of public meetings to discuss
proposed agreements to manage and protect waters of the Great Lakes basin
will be held in Toledo on Thursday, August 26. The Ohio Department of
Natural Resources (ODNR), in cooperation with the University of Toledo
College of Law, will host two sessions, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the College
of Law Auditorium, Towerview Blvd. at Campus Road (off Secor Road). ODNR
officials will explain the draft agreements, take questions and offer
opportunities for public comment.
On July 19, the eight Great Lakes governors and the premiers of
Ontario and Quebec announced a 90-day public review period for agreements
created to update the way the Great Lakes and the waters of the Great Lakes
basin are managed and protected. The agreements will implement Annex 2001,
a supplementary agreement to the Great Lakes Charter that was adopted by the
governors and premiers in June 2001.
The draft Annex implementing agreements are the result of three
years of effort by a state/provincial working group to address Great Lakes
Basin protection issues ranging from water consumption to diversion. During
the review period that extends until October 18, the draft agreements are
available for the public and all interested groups to read and make
comments. The draft documents are available at www.ohiodnr.com.
Specific protective measures in the draft implementing agreements
include:
* A commitment that conservation and information programs will be put
in place and maintained in all the Great Lakes states, Ontario and Quebec;
* A commitment to use a uniform, resource-based decision making
standard in evaluating future proposals for new or increased water uses;
* A commitment to a collective decision making process for future
proposals for regionally significant new or increased water uses; and
* A requirement that all future new or increased diversions and
regionally significant water uses in the Great Lakes Basin result in an
improvement to the basin's ecosystem.

During the 90-day comment period, public meetings will be held
throughout the Great Lakes region to explain the agreements and elicit
public comment. Meetings scheduled for Ohio include:

Thursday, August 26 - Toledo
University of Toledo College of Law Auditorium
2801 Bancroft Street - Toledo
2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

Tuesday, September 14 - Ashtabula/Geneva Area
Ballroom - Geneva State Park Lodge and Conference Center
4888 State Route 534 - Geneva-on-the-Lake
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 21 - Akron/Cleveland Area
Brecksville Community Center
One Community Drive - Brecksville
2-4 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 22 - Norwalk/Sandusky Area
Huron County Department of Job & Family Services
185 Shady Lane Drive - Norwalk
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 23 - Findlay
ODNR Division of Wildlife District #2 Office
952 Lima Avenue - Findlay
2-4 p.m.

To be announced - Columbus
September date and location to be announced

The public may also comment before October 18 by writing to Annex
Comments, ODNR Division of Water, 1939 Fountain Square Court, Bldg. E.,
Columbus, Ohio 43224 or by e-mail to annexcomments@dnr.state.oh.us. Once
the 90-day period is complete and public comments have been taken into
account, the agreements will be refined and presented to the governors and
premiers for their final approval and signature.

Source: ODNR