Section 309 Plan 2011-2015
Coastal Zone Enhancement Grants
No state match is required for these grants which fund projects to achieve goals outlined in the state’s most recent Coastal Zone Enhancement Grants Program Plan. The plan assesses the status of Ohio’s Lake Erie resources in nine areas and identifies strategies to address the most pressing needs.
In 2010, OCM staff updated Ohio's 2006-2010 Section 309 Assessment and developed the "2011-2015 Assessment and Multi-year Strategy for the Section 309 Coastal Zone Enhancement Grants Program."
Every five years, Ohio's Section 309 plan must be updated by the state and approved by NOAA for Ohio to continue to be eligible to receive this area of federal funding. The assessment includes reviewing existing authorities and programs to address concerns and public input on the plan.
The 2011-2015 Plan identifies four strategies that address the six priority enhancement areas of wetlands (page 7), coastal hazards (page 19), public access (page 28), cumulative and secondary impacts (page53), Great Lakes resources (page 65), and energy & government facility siting (page 74). The four strategies, summarized below, are:
Ohio's Section 309 Plan is in accordance with Section 309 of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), as amended in 1990 and 1996. Assessments are based on the status of the resource and the status of existing management authorities and programs to address the concerns. Strategies identify program changes and implementation activities needed to address enhancement area objectives identified in the 2011-2015 Plan over the next five fiscal years.
Strategy 1: Wind Energy
- Continue research on pelagic birds, bats & other avian species.
- Continue research on geologic conditions of Lake Erie’s offshore areas.
- Use environmental and cultural research to develop guidelines for siting wind energy facilities in Ohio’s coastal zone areas that are expected to have impacts on natural and cultural resources.
- Use the research and guidelines to finalize the current draft rules for leasing portions of Ohio’s territory in Lake Erie for use in the production of offshore wind energy. Submerged Lands Leasing rules are in Ohio Administrative Code § 1501-6.
This strategy is expected to benefit wind energy developers and coastal resource users by increasing predictability and efficiency in the regulatory review processes while minimizing environmental impacts. Creating consistency among review standards and siting criteria across Lake Erie may then serve as a role model for offshore wind energy efforts in the entire Great Lakes region.
Learn more:
2011-2015 Plan - See Page 83
Lake Erie Offshore Wind Energy Webpage
Offshore Wind Energy Interactive Map Viewer
Strategy 2: Wetland Change Tracking and Historical Analysis
- Develop a habitat restoration plan for Ohio’s coastal wetlands and develop a program to track wetland creation, restoration, mitigation and preservation activities at federal, state, local and private levels. Currently, a plan and tracking system does not exist.
- Identify historical wetland areas that could be used for current wetland mitigation and restoration.
- Add the above information to data from the recently released National Wetlands Inventory and analyze it via the use of GIS mapping technologies.
The data, GIS information and maps created as part of the wetland analysis will be shared with all groups involved. The Office of Coastal Management will also use the data to make revisions, if necessary, to our coastal grant programs.
Learn more:
2011-2015 Plan - See Page 88
National Wetlands Inventory
Lake Erie Watershed Interactive Map Viewer
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Strategy 3: Erosion and Sand Resource Management
- Continue the development and voluntary implementation of the Lake Erie Shore Erosion Management Plan (LESEMP) with partnering ODNR divisions.
- Study Ohio’s sand resources and the related impacts from erosion control structures and dredging.
- Develop agreements with OCMP partners including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to bypass sand at federal harbors.
- Update Ohio Administrative Code rules associated with Shore Structure Permits and Submerged Lands Leases in order to provide a more streamlined and predictable authorization process.
Submerged Lands Leasing rules are in OAC § 1501-6. Updates to these rules will be done in compliance with any court decisions or legislative changes that could potentially occur during the 2011-2015 Section 309 Assessment period. Shore Structure Permit rules being considered will specify submittals required, require sand monitoring/bypass plans for certain types of projects, and set review timelines.
Learn more:
2011-2015 Plan - See Page 92
Lake Erie Shore Erosion Management Plan
LESEMP Interactive Map Viewer
Submerged Lands Leases
Engineering and Surveying Map Viewer
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Strategy 4: Community Waterfront Planning
- Identify elements that should be included in a local community’s comprehensive management plan for areas along Ohio’s coast.
- Create and make available a model guidance document for communities’ use in developing comprehensive waterfront plans.
- Enhance the Ohio Balanced Growth Plan through the development of a coastal module showcasing voluntary best management practices for Ohio’s coastal communities. This module will include challenges and opportunities facing coastal communities including flooding and inundation, erosion, working waterfronts, tourism, demand for seasonal dockage, and public access to Lake Erie.
Ohio’s Balanced Growth Program addresses long-term economic competitiveness, ecological health and quality of life issues. The program focuses on reducing urban sprawl, protecting natural resources and encouraging redevelopment in urban areas. The program was started by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission and funded in part by OCMP grants. The program’s success within Ohio’s Lake Erie Watershed led to its expansion to the rest of the state in 2010.
Learn more:
2011-2015 Plan - See Page 96
Ohio Balanced Growth Program
Lake Erie Watershed Interactive Map Viewer
Ohio's Lake Erie Public Access Sites
Lake Erie Public Access Map Viewer
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