Toledo Metropolitan Area Council

Memo Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments 300 Dr Martin Luther King Dr Toledo, OH 43604 Phone 419 241-9155 Fax 419 241-9116

Date: 2008 年 11 月 22 日 To: Honorable Lindsay M Webb, City of Toledo Council Member District 6 Cc Anthony L. Reams, TMACOG President Dale A Rupert PE, Division of Streets, Bridges, and Harbor; Senior Professional Engineer From Kurt Erichsen, P.E. Vice President of Environmental Planning : Re: Ottawa River Recreational Dredging Project

The lower Ottawa River in Toledo has long been one of our region’s main areas for fishing and boating access to Maumee Bay and Lake Erie. Over the years the downstream end of the river has silted in, becoming shallower. As the river has silted in, boaters have complained of damage to boats and lack of water for navigation. TMACOG has conducted a series of public meetings over the years on Ottawa River issues at which boaters, business owners, and residents from both Toledo and Erie Township have called for dredging to restore recreational access. In 2005, the lower Ottawa River had 2,200 docks, slips, or berths at 16 marinas / yacht clubs. Since then business has declined, as boaters have taken their business to facilities outside of Toledo. According to a 1999 SeaGrant study, the average boating household spends $9,013 per year. Repeated attempts have been made to dredge for boating access, with the first being in 1938. A successful project requires political support and both federal and nonfederal funding to align at the same time. So far the pieces have not come together. The proposed recreational dredging project is shown below. It would consist of an 80’ wide channel, 5’ deep from low water datum, with 1’ over dredge. It would extend from Summit Street to the Toledo Harbor Channel in Maumee Bay. This route necessarily crosses into Michigan as the channel goes from the mouth of the Ottawa, around the north end of Lost Peninsula, and into North Maumee Bay. The project funding plan calls for federal and nonfederal funds. The current total project cost estimate is $5,706,000. It requires $1,950,000 in nonfederal funds and future federal funding through the Corps of Engineers of $3,275,000.

D:\Docs\2017-12-12\0e681f5dec67efbb3754abdb98e1aa63.doc 52100 Page 1 of 3 In 1990 the Corps of Engineers was authorized to proceed with the project. It was deauthorized again in 1992 for lack of a nonfederal sponsor. In 2000 the City of Toledo agreed to be the nonfederal sponsor. Local, state, and federal agencies worked together on the project for several years, but by 2005 it was stalled again with two new obstacles. Obstacle 1: Corps of Engineers One obstacle is securing federal funding. The Corps of Engineers is the appropriate federal agency for funding. This project has long had strong politiical support from Ohio’s congressional delegation. Securing future funding requires two things:  Continued political support in requesting an additional $3,275,000 through the Corps of Engineers. While this funding to undertake construction is needed, past political support has been successful in getting funding for planning and studies, and keeping the project authorized.  In 2005, the Corps of Engineers nationally was under a mandate not to commit to new construction projects. If this restriction is still in force, it needs to be lifted for the case of the Ottawa River project. Obstacle 2: State of Michigan In 2004 the project encountered a new roadblock: the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality opposed the project, citing regulations under Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act, PL 92-583. Ohio DNR, which administers the same program in Ohio, has not raised any objections. On April 15, 2005 Michigan DEQ wrote letters to Representatives Dingell and Kaptur stating their

D:\Docs\2017-12-12\0e681f5dec67efbb3754abdb98e1aa63.doc 52100 Page 2 of 3 position (attached). Among the suggested alternatives was dredging a channel through Lost Peninsula so that the project would not have to go through Michigan. The stated basis for MDEQ’s objection is damage to habitat. We believe that boat propellers churning through shallow sediments are more damaging to habitat than dredging would be. The logical conclusion of MDEQ’s opposition will be for the Ottawa River to become inaccessible to many boats. In 2005-2007 numerous discussions were held with Michigan elected officials, state agencies, business people, and residents. Monroe County and Erie Township both support the dredging project, but Michigan DEQ’s position has not changed. Unless Michigan changes its stance, the only way to challenge the policy is by appealing to the federal agency in which the Coastal Zone Management regulations originate — the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This challenge would have to come from the Corps of Engineers, which has not been willing to undertake it.

Conclusion The Ottawa River recreational dredging project would benefit quality of life and the economy of both Toledo and Erie Township. Its successful implementation is currently blocked by issues that are primarily political with the State of Michigan; and secondarily funding through the Corps of Engineers.

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