Public Facilities
What’s being done- plan implementation
2020 Water Quality Management Plan Update
In 2020 OKI updated the Water Quality Management Plan to include recent state policy changes regarding home sewage treatment system management and to update the Facility Planning Area boundaries in Ohio. This Plan requires that sewer system and treatment facilities, including expansion, be consistent with its objectives. This plan also serves as a critical resource for other environmental agencies. View this Plan along with more information about the OKI Water Quality Program.
Ohio River Recreation Trail Digital Guide
OKI in partnership with Adventure Crew (Cincinnati) and River City Paddle Sports (Louisville) as part of the creation of the 274-mile Ohio River Recreation Trail from Portsmouth, Ohio to West Point, Kentucky, developed the Ohio River Recreation Trail Digital Guide. This GIS web based guide allows both boaters and cyclist to plan trips on and along the Ohio River. The guide includes live AIS data that shows the location and direction of travel of commercial vessels on the river. This promotes boater safety on the water helping recreational craft avoid getting in the way of large barges with minimal maneuverability. The guide allows users to track their location on the trail and identify attractions and services along the way such as boat ramps, bike routes, camp grounds, restaurants, lodging, and historical points. The guide is helping river communities along the river to promote and highlight their attractions. The guide can be found at www.ohioriverrecreationtrail.org.
Trees and Stormwater Guide
In 2017, Integrating Trees Into Stormwater Management Design and Policy – A Guide for Local Decision Makers was completed by OKI and partners as a national tool and resource for promoting, facilitating and increasing the use of trees for stormwater management. This tool has the capability for users to create a document customized for their own community that includes design, policy, and ordinance templates specific to their community.
My Community’s Water – Interactive Web-based Tool
In 2016 OKI used Ohio EPA funding to develop web-based, interactive water resource profiles for each of the 122 cities, villages, and townships in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties, Ohio. GIS analysis of our region’s water resources lays the groundwork for informed choices when the public and private sectors plan the fate of natural systems, public facilities, and land use. Quantifiable data is conveyed through maps, tables, pie charts, and text. This allows fair comparisons on watersheds, streams, aquifers, impervious surfaces, tree canopy, demographics, designated floodplains, and soils within the boundaries of a local political jurisdiction. View the tool.
OKI Groundwater Committee
The OKI Groundwater Committee continues to encourage partnerships among water providers across the region. The Groundwater Committee provides technical education to public water system operators, regulators and others concerned about drinking water protection and convenes on a quarterly basis. For the latest information on this Committee, click here.
OKI Regional Conservation Council
The RCC is comprised of the soil and water conservation districts from all the counties of region, and is a collegial information-sharing body for the promotion and implementation of best practices, especially for managing stormwater run-off and the pollutants it carries. The RCC convenes during events twice each year. Get the latest information on RCC activities.
OKI Elements of an Effective Local Comprehensive Plan
OKI published the Elements of an Effective Local Comprehensive Plan in January 2016. OKI staff has presented this Guide at local conference and workshop sessions, including the region’s annual David J Allor Planning and Zoning Workshop and often features topical elements at OKI Regional Planning Forum events. To date, over 150 copies have been distributed to local communities and private sector consultants. For a copy of the Guide or to request a workshop please contact Andy Meyer, Senior Planner at ameyer@oki.org.
Guidance and Technical Assistance
Tools, research and resources related to the Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Planning are available as a service to local government in the region. OKI staff is available to provide technical assistance for specific local planning needs and projects as resources permit. In addition, OKI has developed planning guidance documents and model ordinances on special topics related to the How Do We Grow From Here? Plan. OKI staff will update the documents as needed. For additional information and links to the guidance documents, click here.
OKI Regional Planning Forum
OKI holds information meetings each year for professional planners across the region, called Regional Planning Forum. The forum features a variety of topics that help inform planners about the issues and policy recommendations in the How Do We Grow from Here? Plan. The purpose of the Forum is to create a regional outlet for sharing information, experience and expertise among planners and those in related disciplines so that we can provide the best possible quality of life for those who live and work in our region. For more information, click here.