The Areawide Water Quality Management Plan (called the 208 Plan from that section of the Clean Water Act) is our region’s agreement on how we will work together to meet the goals of the Clean Water Act. Our 208 Plan covers systems to collect and treat sewage, and management of septic systems. Our region’s plan covers Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wood counties in Ohio; and Bedford, Erie, and Whiteford townships of Monroe County, Michigan.

Beginning in 2009, regional partners did a review and update of the complete plan to keep it current and relevant to community needs. Public review and input are invited. Specific updates to the 208 Plan include chapters related to:

• Sewage collection and treatment systems
• Septic system management
• Establishing regional water quality baseline (existing conditions) for northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan

The plan and its revisions are posted on the TMACOG website. If you can’t attend the May 4 meeting, you may review this presentation [pdf] which describes the update process and the changes proposed by local governments involved in water treatment.

For questions or to comment, please contact Kurt Erichsen, vice president of Environmental Planning at 419.241.9155 ext. 126.