Western Lake Erie Basin Study Multi-objective Project Planning 5 Aug 09

1. Western Lake Erie Basin Study Multi-objective Project Planning 5 Aug 09 Presented by: Craig Forget Western Lake Erie Basin Program Manager

2. Ancestral Great Black Swamp • Remaining Wetlands

4. MAP

5. Western Lake Erie Basin & Great Lakes Watershed WLEB Authority • SEC. 441. WESTERN LAKE ERIE BASIN, OHIO, INDIANA, AND MICHIGAN. • IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a study to develop measures to improve flood control, navigation, water quality, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat in a comprehensive manner in the western Lake Erie basin, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, including watersheds of the Maumee, Ottawa, and Portage Rivers. • (b) COOPERATION.—In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall— • (1) cooperate with interested Federal, State, and local agencies and nongovernmental organizations; and • (2) consider all relevant programs of the agencies. • (c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study, including findings and recommendations.

7. Authority & Appropriations • Authority = Permission • Water Resource & Development Act • Appropriation = Money • EWA – Energy and Water Appropriations Act • GLRI – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative WRDA $

8. 441 Authority • SEC. 441. WESTERN LAKE ERIE BASIN, OHIO, INDIANA, AND MICHIGAN. • IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a study to develop measures to improve flood control, navigation, water quality, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat in a comprehensive manner in the western Lake Erie basin, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, including watersheds of the Maumee, Ottawa, and Portage Rivers. • (b) COOPERATION.—In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall— • (1) cooperate with interested Federal, State, and local agencies and nongovernmental organizations; and • (2) consider all relevant programs of the agencies. • (c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study, including findings and recommendations.

9. 729 Authority • Sec. 202 of WRDA 2000 Watershed and River Basin Assessments, • amends SEC. 729 of WRDA 1986 Study of Water Resources Needs of River Basins and Regions • Study only authority – no implementation authority • Objective is produce Watershed Management Plans (WMP), or provide information that would feed into subsequent WMP • $15M per year limit • 50/50 cost share (Tribal, State, interstate, and local governments) • WIK may not exceed 25% of the assessment costs. • Secretary has discretionary authority to assess the water resource needs of river basins and watersheds of the United States including needs related to • Ecosystem protection and restoration • Flood Risk Management • Navigation and Ports • Watershed Protection • Water Supply • Drought Preparedness

10. Other Authorities • Sec. 204 of WRDA 1992 as amended (Sec 2037, WRDA 2007) • Beneficial use of dredged material for ecosystem restoration and flood risk management • Sec 206 – Aquatic ecosystem restoration • Sec 205 – Flood Risk Management

16. The Spirit of Cooperation

17. Graphic from draft EC1105-2-410

18. General Planning Guidance • The current Corps guidance for watershed studies is somewhat fragmented • Applicable guidance includes: • ER 1105-2-100, April 2000, PGN • PGL # 97-8, July 1997, Watershed Management • PGL #61, Jan 1999, Application of Watershed Perspective • Implementation Guidance, May 2001, Section 202 WRDA 2000 • Fundamentals of Planning for Watershed Resources Management (Draft Report), May 2001, IWR • Planning Manual, Nov 1996, IWR Report 96-R-21 • HQ Draft EC1105-2-410 with an excellent summary

19. Corps Involvement in Watershed Planning Planning Assistance to States Graphic from draft EC1105-2-410

20. Traditional VS NewApproach • Traditional Approach • Partial Design required • Chiefs Report with recommendation required • Lends itself to one project or one outcome • New Approach • Watershed Management Plans required • Informational Report provided to Congress required • Accommodates multiple objectives with various levels of Corps involvement • Lends itself to many projects and many outcomes

21. WLEB Planning We are here Washington Report for Information to Congress (conclusions) Report for Congress Completion FY09 $20K Initial Watershed Assessment (Recon-like) Revised Recon 30 June 03 Completion $830K Final Watershed Assessment(Feasibility–like) Watershed Assessment 2 DEC 08 Completion for ATR FY07 $1.2M FY08 $308K Watershed Management Plan Management Plan ATR 6 APR 09 Completion FY08 $472K

22. MAP

23. Implementation • As currently authorized, §441 ends with study report • Congressional & other partner support has been expressed to secure authorization for the implementation of the watershed management plan • The watershed management plan will support WLEB project FYDP effort SUNRISE

24. Potential LRD Outcomes • Additional (traditional) Feasibility Studies • Specifically Authorized Studies • Numerous §205 and §206 projects • Numerous GLRAP and GLFER projects • Several significant §22 studies • Some §1135, §14 and §204 projects • Additional §594 support • Support to other Federal Agencies

25. WLEB Great Lakes Regional Benefits • Demonstrate progress to Congress towards the implementation of the GLRC goals • Lead and set example for doing comprehensive watershed assessments throughout the Great Lakes

26. QUESTIONS? http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/region_map.html