Ohio EPA and Partners for Clean Streams (PCS) re-established the local Maumee RAP Committee in 2015 with a fresh new name: Maumee AOC Advisory Committee (MAAC). The MAAC is a stand-alone committee that utilizes the guidance and support of PCS as the Maumee AOC Facilitating Organization. At this time, PCS is seeking applications for committee membership for 2017-2018. Memberships can be either Voting or Non-Voting. Voting members serve for two-year terms. Non-voting members are appointed each year based on expressed interest.
The application deadline is midnight on December 11, 2016. Non-Voting Members do NOT need to complete the application. They only need to send an email to PCS indicting their interest and for which level of involvement (Ex-Officio and Resource members). The time and your ability to represent your respective agency should be approved within your agency per your own internal process.
We want to make sure the Maumee AOC has a strong and representative voice in the AOC process and encourage all interested individuals to apply. The members of the MAAC will play an important role in defining the future course of the activities in the AOC. Some of the key activities for 2017 include:
– Propose delisting for BUI 13;
– Begin development of a Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration Plans;
– Continue development of Maumee AOC Management Actions List for BUI Removal; and
– Fill in data gaps with assessment projects requested of various agencies.
Voting Membership:
Voting members will lead and guide the MAAC as they make decisions regarding the next steps in the Maumee AOC and in identifying critical projects that are needed to remove BUIs and delist the AOC. Voting members represent 4 different “sectors” of stakeholders:
– Local government,
– Business/Industry,
– Academic/Non-Profit Organizations, and
– General Public.
Voting members must actively participate in at least 75% of the meetings. Voting membership is limited to no more than 16 people, while keeping approximately even distribution from the 4 sectors. Therefore, there is an application process needed. Commitments to be a voting member are for two years.
Voting Member Applications should be submitted (see application for details) in one of 5 ways:
1) fill-in form online, electronically sign, and email to PCS,
2) fill-in form online, print, sign and scan then email to PCS,
3) fill-in form online, print, sign and mail to PCS,
4) print, fill-in form by hand, sign and scan then email to PCS, OR
5) print, fill-in form by hand, sign and mail to PCS.
Non-Voting Membership:
Ex-officio members are expected to fulfill most of the same commitments as full voting members, including attendance of at least 75% of the meetings; however, they do not have voting privileges. This is due to the interest of having the MAAC be a local voice to advise the state and federal agencies of what the locals would like to see done, where and why. Ex-officio members are typically state and federal government staff tasked to work on AOC issues. Commitments to be an ex-officio member are for one year.
Resource members are considered a technical resource to the MAAC and assist the MAAC’s voting membership in making informed decisions. Resource members can attend meetings, share information and discuss issues. They are not expected to perform the same responsibilities as voting members and are not eligible to vote. Resource members do not have a time commitment, but can attend as many (or few) meetings as they like.
If your organization decides a non-voting membership is the best role for them, please notify Kris Patterson at [email protected]. A list of all interested non-voting members will be provided to the MAAC review committee to ratify non-voting members along with the selected voting members. Kris will also need to know your agency’s designated person, and if there will be a designated alternate.
As a note, Ohio EPA has made it clear that serving on the MAAC as a voting or non-voting member in no way precludes you or your organization from applying for grant funding. If the committee is considering any project, letter of support, or funding request in which you or your organization have a role, State of Ohio Ethics guidelines should be followed. For instance, you may remove yourself from a vote or discussion related to the potential conflict of interest. Thank you for considering this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you by December 11, so we can schedule the first MAAC meeting in February 2017. Feel free to contact Cherie Blair ([email protected]) or Kristina Patterson ([email protected]) if you have any questions about the MAAC or application process.