GLIN==> Ohio Lake Erie Commission Accepts Balanced Growth Recommendations

[Jill Woodyard <jill_woodyard@ameritech.net>]

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2004

OHIO LAKE ERIE COMMISSION ACCEPTS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROMOTING GROWTH AND 
PROTECTING STREAMS IN LAKE ERIE WATERSHED
Voluntary, incentive-based program will guide land-use and protection 
efforts

A new program to help protect Lake Erie and its tributaries while 
supporting economic competitiveness was presented to the Ohio Lake Erie 
Commission at their quarterly meeting on April 14, 2004. Developed by a 
blue ribbon task force, the initiative provides several tools to help local 
governments plan for environmentally-friendly growth.

The Balanced Growth Task Force, created by the Commission in 2001, included 
property owners, government officials, business leaders, conservationists, 
academics, farmers and others with a stake in the long-term welfare of the 
Lake Erie watershed. The task force examined the impacts that future growth 
will have on the lake and how state and local communities can better 
promote both conservation and development.

Most significant among the task force recommendations were:

* A focus on land use and development in the lake's major tributary rivers 
and watersheds.

* Creation of watershed planning partnerships among local governments, 
planning agencies, nonprofit organizations and others in each watershed.

* Local designation of Priority Conservation Areas and Priority Development 
Areas in each watershed.

* Development of models to help promote best land-use practices and 
minimize the impacts on water quality.

* Alignment of state and local policies, incentives and other resources to 
promote watershed planning.

Lake Erie Commission Chairman Christopher Jones noted, "These 
recommendations really provide a blueprint for local governments that want 
to leverage the advantages of a healthy environment to support economic 
growth and quality of life.  Balanced growth is a timely issue for many 
communities, and this voluntary program can aid in local decision-making."

Task force members compiled their recommendations in two documents: 
"Linking Land Use and Lake Erie: A Planning Framework for Achieving 
Balanced Growth in the Ohio Lake Erie Watershed" and "Linking Land Use and 
Lake Erie: Best Local Land Use Practices." Approximately 200 people 
reviewed these documents and provided comments at three public meetings 
held in January and February
-30-

For Additional Details on the Balanced Growth Initiative, visit the Ohio 
Lake Erie Commission web site at  www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo .


For Additional Information Contact:
Jill Woodyard, Ohio Lake Erie Commission
(419) 245-2514




* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
glin-announce is hosted by the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN):
http://www.great-lakes.net

To subscribe: http://www.glin.net/forms/glin-announce_form.html

To post a message: http://www.glin.net/forms/glin-announce_post.html

To search the archive: http://www.glin.net/lists/glin-announce/

All views and opinions presented above are solely those of the author or
attributed source and do not necessarily reflect those of GLIN or its
management.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *