Ohio EPA director headlines Winter General Assembly program
Join us at the 2025 Winter General Assembly, where we’ll conduct important TMACOG business and hear how the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with communities to drive economic growth and job creation.
Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel is confirmed as a featured participant in a discussion of the ways strategic investments in areas such as water infrastructure and brownfield remediation not only safeguard our environment and natural resources, but also support vibrant communities and local economies.
This presentation will highlight collaboration between Ohio EPA, local governments, and private sector partners, showcasing successful case studies and future plans. Speakers will share how projects are revitalizing urban and rural areas to attract new businesses and create job opportunities.
From upgrading aging water systems to implementing cutting-edge technologies, Ohio EPA's efforts are ensuring clean, reliable water sources that are essential for both public health and economic success.
You’ll learn how improved water quality and infrastructure are enhancing property values, boosting tourism, and supporting industries ranging from agriculture to manufacturing. Don't miss this opportunity to hear how water quality partnerships help to pave the way for economic development and job creation across Ohio!
Registration for the 2025 Winter General Assembly will begin soon! The day’s schedule will also include plenty of time for breakout sessions to discuss shared concerns and opportunities for collaboration.
Panel shares insight on water regulations for forever chemicals
Engineers and experts explained the origin and purpose of “forever chemicals” and why PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are an ongoing focus of federal drinking water and wastewater regulators during a special event at TMACOG.
PFAS include a long list of chemicals that persist in the environment because they break down very slowly over time. They were created in the 1930s and are used to make nonstick cookware, some firefighting foams, and many other products that resist grease, water, oil, and stains.
Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found within water, air, humans, animals, food, and consumer products across the world, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Ongoing research suggests that exposure to certain PFAS may lead to health problems including pregnancy complications, developmental disabilities, reduced immune system and vaccine response, and increased risk of cancer, obesity, and high cholesterol.
About 50 people attended the October 24 event in the Grand Lobby at TMACOG. Speakers from the Ohio EPA and Jones & Henry Engineers shared technical knowledge, policy considerations, and examples to illustrate important collaboration between regulators, engineers, and local communities that operate drinking water and wastewater plants, with the goal of reducing public exposure to PFAS.
Help shape the future of all modes of freight transportation by sharing your input during a public open house at TMACOG from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, December 10 at TMACOG.
At this meeting, you can review a draft analysis of regional roadways, railroads, ports, airports, pipelines, and intermodal facilities, and provide feedback on proposed projects and policies that impact important commercial, manufacturing, and industrial land uses and businesses.
A well-planned freight network means fewer traffic jams, safer roads, and a stronger local economy. An efficient system lowers costs, ensures products reach consumers, and connects local manufacturers to national and international markets.
Your input will help ensure that TMACOG’s Regional Freight Plan represents our region’s needs and opportunities. Join us:
Tuesday, December 10, 4-6 p.m. TMACOG 300 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 300 Toledo, OH 43604 Free parking available on Level 3
If you require accommodations to fully participate, contact Jennifer Allen:allen@tmacog.org or 419-241-9155 ext. 1107.Click here for more information on how to access TMACOG’s office.
If you cannot attend the meeting, you can share feedback through an online survey available through November 15. Click here to access the survey.
Staff participated in a teambuilding exercise at Glass City Metropark. Afterward, they engaged with organizational leadership expert Barbara Stahl, who led an exercise that encouraged staff to evaluate their working style and consider the dynamics of working with different personalities.
“Activities like this are important for our staff,” said TMACOG Executive Director Sandy Spang. “I believe everyone left with a better understanding of how we can align new and existing work with our strategic plan, as well as an appreciation for our team's skills and the ways we can most effectively engage with each other."
Student Watershed Watch celebrates 35 years
Another wave of students from schools across northwest Ohio are learning how to gather and use scientific data as part of the annual Student Watershed Watch.
TMACOG has coordinated this cornerstone program for environmental education for 35 years, equipping teachers with supplies and education to work with more than 25,000 students since 1989.
Every October, students use test kits to gather data about dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nutrients, pH, and bacteria levels in nearby waterways. They also look for macroinvertebrates that can show how suitable the local habitat is for wildlife.
This year, approximately 1,000 students from more than 20 schools are participating by analyzing water quality data that they’ll present at the Student Watershed Watch Summit at the Toledo Zoo.
This event showcases their work and highlights the real-world impact of conservation and water quality. Students also get to engage with environmental professionals and learn about potential careers that may interest them.
This longstanding regional initiative receives essential support from GM, the Lucas County Engineer’s Office, the City of Toledo, Cenovus, and the Toledo Zoo.
Click hereto learn more about TMACOG’s Student Watershed Watch.
Share input on our updated Title VI Plan
TMACOG is seeking review and input on an updated nondiscrimination policy that ensures compliance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Title VI states that no person in the United States shall be subjected to discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Click here to access updated drafts of TMACOG’s existing Title VI Plan and Title VI Nondiscrimination Agreement.
These documents establish a framework for the efforts of TMACOG to ensure compliance with Title VI, Environmental Justice, and related statutes regarding nondiscrimination.
APA Ohio’s planning & zoning workshop coming up Nov. 15
Planning and zoning professionals can earn continuing education credit and learn about new trends and practices during Northwest Ohio Planning & Zoning Workshop.
The Northwest Ohio Section of APA Ohio will host this event from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday, November 15 in Bowling Green at the Veterans Memorial Building Atrium, 520 Conneaut Ave.
Sessions are designed for local officials, planning commission and board of zoning appeals members, professional planners, attorneys, developers, architects, engineers, and interested residents.
To access more details and registration,click here.
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