Abstract Guerilla Tactics · The Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission (GLSMRC) was...
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Ecosystem Restoration Guerilla Tactics with Grand Lake St. Marys is a 21 square mile lake supported by a 52 square mile watershed in north western Ohio and has been an influence on the local and regional economy within Auglaize and Mercer Counties, West Central Ohio since its creation. As the health of the lake and its native habitats has thrived, so has the economy. However, the health of the lake in recent years has felt the drastic cumulative effects of gradual land use changes, related to both growth and development surrounding the immediate lake area and the agricultural industry boom within the surrounding watershed. These impacts have affected both recreational and economic activities throughout the lake communities. Although numerous plans to reduce the levels of pollution entering the lake have been developed over the years, the lake’s water quality continues to suffer from nutrient inputs and other water quality degradation issues leading to dangerous levels of algae microcystin toxin. These threats endanger public health and welfare. Algae blooms were of such a magnitude and duration during the summer of 2010, that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was forced to close the lake to all recreational activity. Overall, the lake is on the verge of a functional breakdown and ecological collapse. Despite improved conservation practices over the years, the algal blooms are clear indicators of the ecosystems inability to process and utilize the excess and accumulated nutrients. A Strategic Plan was formulated to provide a framework and timeline for restoration of the lake ecosystem utilizing various projects and economic management tools to implement solutions for current and future lake improvements and revitalization. The Strategic Plan was prefaced on the developing economic opportunities and activities that stem directly and/or indirectly from restoring degraded natural resources within Grand Lake St. Marys (GLSM). The creation of an economy derived from restoration of the lake within the GLSM watershed, will provide a new direction that is both environmentally sustainable and economically viable. Recognizing and correcting problems created by current and past activities and applying a new environmental and economic paradigm to the future offers a challenging, yet unique and exciting opportunity for the communities that have come to rely on the lake and watershed. Abstract Joseph J. Pfeiffer Jr., PWS KCI Technologies Inc. 4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 220 Raleigh, NC 27609 • USA t. 919.278.2500 f. 919.783.9266 e. [email protected] Provide a holistic blueprint for the sustainable environmental and economic renewal of Grand Lake St. Marys and its contributing watersheds through an approach that will motivate and coordinate stakeholders to increase the eco- logical and economic effectiveness of restoration activities. These efforts will also help lake communities realize their potential to improve and protect the natural and economic resources of the region. Auglaize and Mercer counties as well as the Western Ohio Region have his- torically enjoyed remarkable economic benefits from Grand Lake St. Marys and to a lesser extent; West Central Ohio receives contributions from the infrastructure created by the industries and business fostered by the lakes position. This economic activity was enhanced over the years, with private and pub- lic funding invested into the state park and its surrounding area. Additional investments were also made in the 1980’s and 90’s when a upswing in resi- dential development took place in the lake area. The sustained growth in the real estate market enabled the property tax base to grow thus benefiting the counties and school districts. The ‘tangible’ economic benefits this region experiences from the recre- ational, travel & tourism industry (including Sales, Wages, and Taxes) ex- ceeded $193 million dollars and supports over 2,487 local hospitality jobs. The ‘intangible’ quality of life factors related to the recreational opportunities this region has to offer led to increased growth potential for non-lake related businesses ability to attract and retain quality people to the employment base. These economic engines include the region’s manufacturing, finance, insurance, and health care industries. Grand Lake St. Marys is the centerpiece of both local and regional economic influence within West Central Ohio. Excess loading of nutrients into GLSM has resulted in specific impacts to the local and regional economy. These impacts are both directly accessed via lost business revenue/jobs and in- directly through lost property value, decreased business recruitment and increased business relocation. Surveys conducted in 2010 indicate that the average business revenue was down 35%-40%. This extrapolates across the region to a loss of $77,000,000 or business revenue due to GLSM condi- tions. Property values have fallen by an estimated 14% based on the 2008, 2009, 2010 WRIST, Inc. Housing Statistics, 6% of which is attributed to lakes condi- tion and a 45% drop in conveyance fees collected by Mercer county alone. In addition, financing through Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae for homes in proximity to the lake has been denied. The cumulative effect of these items is difficult to determine, but it has been conservatively estimated to be $25,000,000 As the receiving water body of six contributing sub watersheds totaling 112 square miles, GLSM has become severely degraded and nutrient enriched. Numerous studies and research efforts have defined cumulative loading of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) as the root causes of water quality deg- radation. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) developed for the GLSM watershed by the OEPA in 2007, as a Clean Water Act requirement for 303(d) listed waters, identified that the “probable sources of impairment in this wa- tershed are tied to agricultural practices”. Additionally it cited human waste from unsewered areas with failing septic systems as a contributing source. The established TMDL enumerated a reduction of phosphorus by 175,000 lb/ yr and nitrogen of 48,000 lb/yr was required to support the “Aquatic Life Use Support/Recreational Use” designations for GLSM and its tributaries. Algae blooms are an outward representation of the ecosystems inability to process and utilize the excess and accumulated nutrients being contributed to it by its watershed. The GLSM ecosystem is exhibiting the symptoms of a functional “breakdown” and on the edge of ecological collapse. The frequen- cy and intensity of algal blooms has increased over the past 10 years culmi- nating in dangerous levels of algae microcystin toxin, endangering the public health and welfare. In May of 2009 the Ohio Environmental Protection Agen- cy (OEPA) posted warnings advising people and animals to minimize contact with the lake water due to the potential effects of the toxin. Algae blooms which occurred during the summer of 2010 were of such a magnitude and duration, that the OEPA was forced to close the lake to ALL recreational activ- ity due to the extremely high levels of microcystin and other toxins including cylindrospermopsin that resulted. This prompted immediate action by the State of Ohio to seek understanding and solutions to the problem to mitigate the re-occurrence of the blooms in 2011. The creation of economic opportunities that establish sustainable actions which have the ability to fuel the local economy while resolving the causes and sources of the lake degradation are a key component to restoring the economic viability of the region. The creation of a “restorative economy” through the development and application of market-based solutions and in- novative funding mechanisms, will be critical and necessary. The diversity of multiple funding sources and partnerships, each targeting aspects of the problem from different angles and approaches, will over the long haul fuel comprehensive and sustainable financial and ecologic solutions for the lake region. To support the development of infrastructure needed to promote a “restor- ative economy”, legislation, laws and policies that will help manage risk, and encourage/support the private sector will be established. This framework will create markets for building the critical mass necessary to attract sufficient financial and technical influxes that will influence landscape level improve- ments. Corporate Structures - Several newly formulated corporate structures are available that provide varying incentives for businesses to both attract diverse funding/investment sources and tax relief in exchange for limita- tions on liability and structured profit margin. Examples of these structures include: L3C (low-Profit Limited Liability Company), B- Corp (Benefit Corpora- tion), and P3 (Public-Private Partnership). The application of these structures establishes long term commitments to sustain both the restoration and eco- nomic development of the region. Ecosystem Services Programs - These programs create a cap and trade system for ecosystem services within an established geographic region to address regulatory requirements. The privatization of these services pro- vides the opportunity to conglomerate and focus the ecosystem service (nutrient removal) where it would be most effective. The establishment of these programs in conjunction with effective regulatory requirements Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) provides a long term self funded process for restoration. The Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission (GLSMRC) was estab- lished in January 2010, in response to the decline of the economic and eco- logical health of Grand Lake St. Marys. It is a collaborative partnership com- prised of multiple community leaders, governmental entities and volunteers formed to collect, analyze and catalyze actions for the economic revitalization of Grand Lake St. Marys through planning, monitoring, fiscal management and project implementation of economically and environmentally sustainable initiatives. The core of the Commission’s function, is the implementation of the Strategic Plan has been developed as a guide and resource for economic opportunities which will reinstate and improve the local economies surrounding the lake while supporting the environmental restoration of the lake. Funding Source Development - Develop financial resources through dis- tribution of costs to user groups to finance the development/operation of in- frastructure: (Storm Water Utilities, Drainage Districts, etc.). This is long term strategy allocates funding to specific user groups. Seed Funding and Incentives - Provide initial funding primarily through grants and public sources and/or bond issuance to promote economic initia- tive. This strategy utilizes incentive money to provide a financial guarantee for encouraging investment. This grouping includes; Government Funding, Natural Resource Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Tax Incentives, Subsidies, Renewable Energy/Clean Technology Programs with the intent/understanding that costs will be recovered through assessment of internal capacity building and revenue generation within the regional economy. These are short term actions used to “jump start” the local economy. Master Planning Infrastructure Development Labor Resources Management Research Recreation Eco Tourism (non-profit) Recognized Economic Impacts from Lake Stressors Development and Allocation of Funding for Indirect Revenue Producing Programs Economic Revitalization Initiatives Revenue Sharing from Restorative Enterprises Causes and Sources 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 4 8 9 8 6 Private Investment Lake Stressors 3 Economic Restoration Engine Natural Resources Capital Improvement Program Economic Development Plan Revenue Flow Strategic Actions Initiating Resource The Strategic Plan for the Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission Prepared By: The Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission In Consultation with KCI Associates of Ohio, P.A. 388 S. Main Street Suite 401 Akron, OH 44311 Phone: 330.564.9100 January 2011 Strategic Plan for Restoration of GLSM 5 Strategic Plan for Restoration of GLSM Cause and Sources Lake Stressors Economic Revitalization Initiatives Economic Restoration Engine Recognized Economic Impacts from Lake Stressors Local Eonomic Potential for Restored Ecosystem Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission Development and Allocation of Funding Grand Lake St. Marys LOCAL ECONOMY Potential of Restored Ecosystem 7
Transcript of Abstract Guerilla Tactics · The Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission (GLSMRC) was...
Ecosystem RestorationGuerilla Tacticsw
ith Grand Lake St. Marys is a 21 square mile lake supported by a 52 square mile watershed in north western Ohio and has been an influence on the local and regional economy within Auglaize and Mercer Counties, West Central Ohio since its creation. As the health of the lake and its native habitats has thrived, so has the economy. However, the health of the lake in recent years has felt the drastic cumulative effects of gradual land use changes, related to both growth and development surrounding the immediate lake area and the agricultural industry boom within the surrounding watershed.
These impacts have affected both recreational and economic activities throughout the lake communities. Although numerous plans to reduce the levels of pollution entering the lake have been developed over the years, the lake’s water quality continues to suffer from nutrient inputs and other water quality degradation issues leading to dangerous levels of algae microcystin toxin. These threats endanger public health and welfare. Algae blooms were of such a magnitude and duration during the summer of 2010, that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was forced to close the lake to all recreational activity. Overall, the lake is on the verge of a functional breakdown and ecological collapse. Despite improved conservation practices over the years, the algal blooms are clear indicators of the ecosystems inability to process and utilize the excess and accumulated nutrients.
A Strategic Plan was formulated to provide a framework and timeline for restoration of the lake ecosystem utilizing various projects and economic management tools to implement solutions for current and future lake improvements and revitalization. The Strategic Plan was prefaced on the developing economic opportunities and activities that stem directly and/or indirectly from restoring degraded natural resources within Grand Lake St. Marys (GLSM). The creation of an economy derived from restoration of the lake within the GLSM watershed, will provide a new direction that is both environmentally sustainable and economically viable. Recognizing and correcting problems created by current and past activities and applying a new environmental and economic paradigm to the future offers a challenging, yet unique and exciting opportunity for the communities that have come to rely on the lake and watershed.
Abstract
Joseph J. Pfeiffer Jr., PWSKCI Technologies Inc.4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 220Raleigh, NC 27609 • USAt. 919.278.2500f. 919.783.9266e. [email protected]
Provide a holistic blueprint for the sustainable environmental and economic renewal of Grand Lake St. Marys and its contributing watersheds through an approach that will motivate and coordinate stakeholders to increase the eco-logical and economic effectiveness of restoration activities. These efforts will also help lake communities realize their potential to improve and protect the natural and economic resources of the region.
Auglaize and Mercer counties as well as the Western Ohio Region have his-torically enjoyed remarkable economic benefits from Grand Lake St. Marys and to a lesser extent; West Central Ohio receives contributions from the infrastructure created by the industries and business fostered by the lakes position.
This economic activity was enhanced over the years, with private and pub-lic funding invested into the state park and its surrounding area. Additional investments were also made in the 1980’s and 90’s when a upswing in resi-dential development took place in the lake area. The sustained growth in the real estate market enabled the property tax base to grow thus benefiting the counties and school districts.
The ‘tangible’ economic benefits this region experiences from the recre-ational, travel & tourism industry (including Sales, Wages, and Taxes) ex-ceeded $193 million dollars and supports over 2,487 local hospitality jobs. The ‘intangible’ quality of life factors related to the recreational opportunities this region has to offer led to increased growth potential for non-lake related businesses ability to attract and retain quality people to the employment base. These economic engines include the region’s manufacturing, finance, insurance, and health care industries.
Grand Lake St. Marys is the centerpiece of both local and regional economic influence within West Central Ohio. Excess loading of nutrients into GLSM has resulted in specific impacts to the local and regional economy. These impacts are both directly accessed via lost business revenue/jobs and in-directly through lost property value, decreased business recruitment and increased business relocation. Surveys conducted in 2010 indicate that the average business revenue was down 35%-40%. This extrapolates across the region to a loss of $77,000,000 or business revenue due to GLSM condi-tions.
Property values have fallen by an estimated 14% based on the 2008, 2009, 2010 WRIST, Inc. Housing Statistics, 6% of which is attributed to lakes condi-tion and a 45% drop in conveyance fees collected by Mercer county alone. In addition, financing through Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae for homes in proximity to the lake has been denied. The cumulative effect of these items is difficult to determine, but it has been conservatively estimated to be $25,000,000
As the receiving water body of six contributing sub watersheds totaling 112 square miles, GLSM has become severely degraded and nutrient enriched. Numerous studies and research efforts have defined cumulative loading of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) as the root causes of water quality deg-radation. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) developed for the GLSM watershed by the OEPA in 2007, as a Clean Water Act requirement for 303(d) listed waters, identified that the “probable sources of impairment in this wa-tershed are tied to agricultural practices”. Additionally it cited human waste from unsewered areas with failing septic systems as a contributing source. The established TMDL enumerated a reduction of phosphorus by 175,000 lb/yr and nitrogen of 48,000 lb/yr was required to support the “Aquatic Life Use Support/Recreational Use” designations for GLSM and its tributaries.
Algae blooms are an outward representation of the ecosystems inability to process and utilize the excess and accumulated nutrients being contributed to it by its watershed. The GLSM ecosystem is exhibiting the symptoms of a functional “breakdown” and on the edge of ecological collapse. The frequen-cy and intensity of algal blooms has increased over the past 10 years culmi-nating in dangerous levels of algae microcystin toxin, endangering the public health and welfare. In May of 2009 the Ohio Environmental Protection Agen-cy (OEPA) posted warnings advising people and animals to minimize contact with the lake water due to the potential effects of the toxin. Algae blooms which occurred during the summer of 2010 were of such a magnitude and duration, that the OEPA was forced to close the lake to ALL recreational activ-ity due to the extremely high levels of microcystin and other toxins including cylindrospermopsin that resulted. This prompted immediate action by the State of Ohio to seek understanding and solutions to the problem to mitigate the re-occurrence of the blooms in 2011.
The creation of economic opportunities that establish sustainable actions which have the ability to fuel the local economy while resolving the causes and sources of the lake degradation are a key component to restoring the economic viability of the region. The creation of a “restorative economy” through the development and application of market-based solutions and in-novative funding mechanisms, will be critical and necessary. The diversity of multiple funding sources and partnerships, each targeting aspects of the problem from different angles and approaches, will over the long haul fuel comprehensive and sustainable financial and ecologic solutions for the lake region.
To support the development of infrastructure needed to promote a “restor-ative economy”, legislation, laws and policies that will help manage risk, and encourage/support the private sector will be established. This framework will create markets for building the critical mass necessary to attract sufficient financial and technical influxes that will influence landscape level improve-ments.
Corporate Structures - Several newly formulated corporate structures are available that provide varying incentives for businesses to both attract diverse funding/investment sources and tax relief in exchange for limita-tions on liability and structured profit margin. Examples of these structures include: L3C (low-Profit Limited Liability Company), B- Corp (Benefit Corpora-tion), and P3 (Public-Private Partnership). The application of these structures establishes long term commitments to sustain both the restoration and eco-nomic development of the region.
Ecosystem Services Programs - These programs create a cap and trade system for ecosystem services within an established geographic region to address regulatory requirements. The privatization of these services pro-vides the opportunity to conglomerate and focus the ecosystem service (nutrient removal) where it would be most effective. The establishment of these programs in conjunction with effective regulatory requirements Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) provides a long term self funded process for restoration.
The Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission (GLSMRC) was estab-lished in January 2010, in response to the decline of the economic and eco-logical health of Grand Lake St. Marys. It is a collaborative partnership com-prised of multiple community leaders, governmental entities and volunteers formed to collect, analyze and catalyze actions for the economic revitalization of Grand Lake St. Marys through planning, monitoring, fiscal management and project implementation of economically and environmentally sustainable initiatives.
The core of the Commission’s function, is the implementation of the Strategic Plan has been developed as a guide and resource for economic opportunities which will reinstate and improve the local economies surrounding the lake while supporting the environmental restoration of the lake.
Funding Source Development - Develop financial resources through dis-tribution of costs to user groups to finance the development/operation of in-frastructure: (Storm Water Utilities, Drainage Districts, etc.). This is long term strategy allocates funding to specific user groups.
Seed Funding and Incentives - Provide initial funding primarily through grants and public sources and/or bond issuance to promote economic initia-tive. This strategy utilizes incentive money to provide a financial guarantee for encouraging investment. This grouping includes; Government Funding, Natural Resource Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Tax Incentives, Subsidies, Renewable Energy/Clean Technology Programs with the intent/understanding that costs will be recovered through assessment of internal capacity building and revenue generation within the regional economy. These are short term actions used to “jump start” the local economy.
Master Planning
InfrastructureDevelopment
Labor Resources
Management
Research
Recreation
Eco Tourism
(non-profit)
Recognized Economic Impactsfrom Lake Stressors
Development and Allocation of Funding forIndirect Revenue Producing Programs
Economic Revitalization Initiatives
Revenue Sharingfrom Restorative
Enterprises
Causes andSources
1
1
2
2 3 4 5 6 7
9
4
8 9
8
6
PrivateInvestment
Lake Stressors
3
EconomicRestoration
Engine
Natural Resources Capital
Improvement Program
EconomicDevelopment
Plan
Revenue Flow Strategic Actions Initiating Resource
The Strategic Planfor the Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission
Prepared By:The Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission
In Consultation with
KCI Associates of Ohio, P.A. 388 S. Main Street Suite 401
Akron, OH 44311 Phone: 330.564.9100
January 2011
Strategic Plan for
Restorationof GLSM
5
Strategic Plan for Restoration of GLSM Cause and Sources Lake Stressors Economic Revitalization Initiatives Economic Restoration Engine Recognized Economic Impacts from Lake Stressors Local Eonomic Potential for Restored Ecosystem Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission Development and Allocation of Funding
Grand Lake St. Marys
LOCA
LEC
ONOM
Y Potential of
Restored
Ecosystem
7
