Aquatic Beneficial Use Impairments - The Process

The MAAC subcommittee has been hard at work to identify Management Action Projects to address the aquatic Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs). These BUIs are as follows:

• BUI 3a: Degradation of Fish Populations
• BUI 6: Degradation of Benthos
• BUI14a: Loss of Fish Habitat

Over the course of the last two years (2018-2019), professionals representing nonprofit groups, independent consulting firms, and government agencies from around the AOC have been meeting to identify projects and strategies for addressing these BUIs. The process began with two day-long workshops, where participants provided their expertise to help identify primary problems and a list of potential solutions for each hydrologic unit within the AOC. Following these workshops, smaller, more focused subcommittee meetings were held frequently to allow for the discussion required to draft a comprehensive project list. This work will continue into 2020.

The steps/tasks that the subcommittee is using are detailed in sequential order below.

1. Identify hydrologic units where additional information on BUI status is needed and assess whether MAAC-recommended Evaluation Projects will meet this need.
2. Identify hydrologic units where a habitat and/or aquatic community score(s) need to be raised.
3. Identify the specific restoration need for each hydrologic unit based on specific scores and other relevant information.
4. Assess whether current MAAC-recommended Management Action Projects will achieve BUI targets in given hydrologic units, and whether project enhancements should be made.
5. Develop (as a group) and prioritize additional viable Management Action Projects where needed.
6. Propose additional Management Action Projects to the MAAC (2020).
7. MAAC will propose an agreed upon project list to Ohio EPA.
8. Ohio EPA will review the list & forward recommendations to US EPA, who will approve the list.
9. Management Action Projects approved by US EPA will be funded as budgets allow.
10. Work on funded projects work will be carried out by individual project leads.

Maumee River Water Quality Cruise

On August 4th, approximately 45 Toledo-area residents boarded the Sandpiper boat near downtown Toledo to enjoy a scenic river cruise and learn more about local water quality issues and related solutions. Local experts were on hand to discuss many topics, including several projects being done in the Maumee AOC. Jenny Carter-Cornell (MAAC Chair), of Hull and Associates, Inc., spoke about a number of upcoming projects being planned to improve the lower Maumee River (e.g., alternative uses of dredged material). More AOC-related project work was discussed when Bill Hintz, an assistant professor at Bowling Green State University, shared information about work being done with USGS to identify potential habitat and fish restoration projects in the lower Maumee River. All speakers took questions throughout their presentations and the guests seemed to really appreciate the thorough explanations provided. Many thanks to all of the speakers!

New and Improved DMDS 4.0 Ready for Use

DMDS 4.0 has officially been launched and is ready for use! This newest Data Management and Delisting System version provides additional enhancements to system functionality, specifically in three modules; Projects, BUI Status, and BUI Data Sources. The upgrades make it easier for users to search the database and tailor exported data tables (i.e. grids). Click here to visit DMDS 4.0 and see how much is happening in the AOC and what the latest BUI status is. Please feel free to send questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

New features include:

• A pop-out/customizable data grid
  • new data grid layout allows for larger viewing areas for both the data grid and the map
  • data grid can be sorted, filtered, and arranged to each user’s needs/preferences
• Video tutorial
  • available on the Home page
  • brief tutorial walks users through the DMDS basics and how to customize the new data grid
• Updated DMDS Help Guide
  • available on Home page
  • downloadable pdf resource

MAAC Summer Tour Series: Project Videos

In case you missed it this summer, the MAAC has posted two videos from its eastern and western Maumee AOC tours in 2018.  Both tours focused on habitat restoration projects that were fast-tracked for funding through the MAAC.  Tim Schetter with Metroparks of the Toledo Area gave an overview of the Howard Marsh Phase II plans and took MAAC members on a walking tour of the property.  Patrick Baranowski with ODNR and Russ Terry with Ducks Unlimited showcased the habitat restoration improvements going on at the Toussaint Wildlife Area.  Both projects directly address BUI 14b – loss of fish and wildlife habitat.  Visit the Maumee AOC Facebook page or click here directly to watch some of tours!