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!
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 
The Maumee Area of Concern Advisory Committee was invited on three tours this summer, highlighting restoration projects with different partners. In August, MAAC members went on an Eastern Maumee AOC tour of projects focusing on addressing BUI 14b (loss of wildlife habitat). This area is comprised of critical coastal wetlands and adjacent upland ecosystems. There were four site visits including: Howard Marsh Phase II, Toussaint Marsh State Wildlife Area Phase II and III, Toussaint Parcels West and East, and the Navarre Unit at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. In September, MAAC members went aboard the Sandpiper to tour several Maumee River restoration projects in the downtown area. Presenters included the Toledo Metroparks who talked about recent and future Metropark projects along the river, The Mannik & Smith Group highlighted several brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects along the river, and Hull Inc. discussed the Great Lakes Dredge Material Center for Innovation. Cherie Blair with Ohio EPA and Kris Patterson with Partners for Clean Streams facilitated discussion on the importance of the work and partnerships in the AOC and within the region to improve environmental conditions. The third and final tour showcased restoration sites in the western portion of the Maumee AOC, specifically the Oak Openings region and Maumee State Forest areas at nine site visits. Irwin Prairie, Sandhill Crane Wetland Restoration Project, Irwin Prairie PCA Acquisition and Restoration sites, and Maumee State Forest new Site 1 and 2 were all featured on the Western AOC tour. Thank you to those who presented their restoration projects and for those who attended the tours that exhibited the ongoing work within the Maumee AOC to address BUIs and improve local environmental conditions.
The Maumee AOC Committee works toward fishable and swimmable waters in the Maumee Area of Concern and delisting the beneficial use impairments. The Committee is working towards all major restoration projects being completed by 2025, through collaboration of partners and volunteer opportunities by its facilitating organization, Partners for Clean Streams. The committee is made up of representatives from various organizations, citizens, businesses and non-government agencies to build long term solutions to the area’s water quality issues.
