>>> IT'S NOW TIME FOR THE "JOURNAL" THE AWARD WINNING AFFAIRS PROGRAM WITH YOUR HOST STEVE KENDALL.

THIS IS WHERE YOUR COMMUNITY MATTERS.

LOCAL PEOPLE, LOCAL ISSUES.

>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE "JOURNAL," I'M STEVE KENDALL.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON THE MAUMEE RIVER ARE A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR AREA SO IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE RIVER BY DEVELOPING AS A DESIGNATED WATER TRAIL IS UNDER CONSIDERATION.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT CONCEPT IS EMILY ZIEGLER, GIS AND PLANNING COORDINATOR FOR METRO PARKS OF THE TOLEDO AREA.

STEPHANIE SINGER, DEFIANT WATER AND CONSERVATION DISTRICT WATERSHED COORDINATOR AND BOB PULHUJ.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF A WATER TRAIL.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO THE AVERAGE CITIZEN, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT A WATER TRAIL?

SHOULD BY WORRIED ABOUT THAT?

SHOULD I BE EXCITED ABOUT THAT?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN AS AN AVERAGE CITIZEN?

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

THIS IS AN EXCITING PROJECT.

A WATER TRAIL IS A RECREATIONAL BOATING ROUTE ALONG A WATERWAY WITH DESIGNATED ACCESS POINTS SO ANY WATERWAY OR RIVER IN OHIO TECHNICALLY IS A WATER TRAIL BUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS GET OFFICIAL DESIGNATE FROM ODNR TO MAKE IT AN OFFICIAL WATER TRAIL THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF PARKS AND WATER CRAFT.

WHAT SETS THAT APART IS THAT THERE IS SOME BASIC REQUIREMENTS THAT THE WATER TRAIL WOULD HAVE TO ADHERE TO.

THAT BEING -- SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE THERE HAS TO BE AT LEAST ONE ACCESS SITE EVERY TEN MILES FOR EASE OF ACCESS TO THE RIVER AND ALL OF THOSE DESIGNATED ACCESS SITES HAVE TO BE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE PARKING AVAILABLE.

SO WITH OFFICIAL DESIGNATION COMES SOME FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO HELP THE PUBLY KAIGS WITH INFORMATION ON EACH ACCESS SITE AND ALSO FOR SIGNAGE THAT IS CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE WATER TRAIL.

THE PUBLICATION WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION SUCH AS SAFETY INFORMATION SO IT'S AN EDUCATIONAL PIECE.

IT WILL INCLUDES HAZARDS ON THE RIVER SO THERE ARE TWO DAMS ON THE MAUMEE RIVER, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DESIGNATE RIGHT NOW, IT WILL INCLUDE DETAILED INFORMATION ON EACH ACCESS SITE, WHAT AMENITIES ARE AVAILABLE, WHETHER IT'S CAMPING, TRAILS FACILITIES, RESTROOMS, WATER.

IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE OTHER INFORMATION SUCH AS DISTANCE BETWEEN EACH ACCESS SITE, EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS, PHONE NUMBERS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS SO THERE IS A BENEFIT TO GETTING OFFICIAL DESIGNATION OF A WATER TRAIL RATHER THAN HAVING THE RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO USE.

>> JUST PUTTING UP SIGNS AND SAYING, HEY, IT'S A WATER TRAIL.

WHICH MAKES SENSE, PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THEY CAN GET ACCESS, WHAT'S AVAILABLE.

EXACTLY TRUE WITH REGARD TO EMERGENCY SERVICES THAT SORT OF THING.

NOW FROM THE SOIL AND WATER POINT OF VIEW, EVERYBODY -- YOU'RE THE WATERSHED COORDINATOR.

THAT'S A GOOD TITLE.

IT COVERS A LOT OF TERRITORY SO, STEPHANIE, TALK ABOUT FROM SOIL AND WATER'S PERSPECTIVE WHAT YOUR INVOLVEMENT IS FROM YOUR AGENCY'S PERSPECTIVE.

>> SURE.

AS THE WATERSHED COORDINATOR, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DO AND WE DO AT SOIL AND WATER IN DEFIANCE AND ALL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS IN EVERY COUNTY IS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF WATER.

WE DO THAT BY REACHING OUT TO LAND OWNERS AND CITIZENS WORKING ON -- DOING ON-THE-GROUND PRACTICES THAT HELP THAT WATER THAT'S RUNNING OFF OF THE LAND COMING INTO OUR TRIBUTARIES AND OUR RIVERS.

WE GOT INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE RESOURCE, OUR BEAUTIFUL MAUMEE RIVER AND HAVING THEM USE IT AND RECK CREATE ON IT WILL ALLOW FOR MORE PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED WITH CONSERVATION PRACTICES THAT WILL MAKE OUR WATER QUALITY EVEN BETTER.

>> SO IT TIES THE LAND OWNERS TO THE WATER AND GETS THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE -- THE BIGGER PICTURE ON WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE WATER LEAVES THEIR PROPERTY BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A HUGE TOPIC WITH REGARD TO THE LAKE AND EVERYTHING.

>> CORRECT.

>> AND YOU GUYS ARE UPSTREAM FROM ARE THE OTHER AREAS IN WOOD COUNTY, THAT SORT OF THING.

FROM A PERSPECTIVE AS SOMEBODY WHO USES THE RIVER RIGHT NOW, BOB, TALK ABOUT WHAT -- YOU'RE USING THE RIVER CURRENTLY.

YOUR GROUP PROVIDES KAYAKING AND CANOEING, THAT SORT OF THING, TALK ABOUT HOW YOU VIEW THIS WATER TRAIL AS BEING ONLY ADVANTAGE FROM YOUR ATTITUDE.

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT BECAUSE OVER THE YEARS A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PADDLE FROM WHAT THEY CALL FORT TO PORT, FORT WAYNE TO THE MOUTH OF LAKE ERIE AND IT PRESENTS CHALLENGES OF FINDING PLACES BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DO IT IN ONE DAY.

AND SO TYPICALLY LIKE ANTWERP, DEFIANCE, GRAND RAPIDS, BUT PEOPLE AREN'T ABLE TO DO THAT LINK, THAT MUCH TIME SO THERE'S NO PLACE RIGHT NOW TO STEP EVERY TEN MILES, GET OUT, PUBLIC PLACES AND PLACES TO STAY OVERNIGHT AND CAMP.

PEOPLE CAN GREAT IT UP.

IT WILL BE LIKE DOING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN SEGMENTS.

YOU CAN DO IT AT YOUR LEISURE AND GO ALONG AND ENJOY IT AND IT WILL GET MORE PEOPLE ON THE RIVER.

MORE OF US WILL BE DOING IT.

I'VE ALREADY GOT THREE GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO DO THIS PADDLE AND I'M ANXIOUS TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH THEM AND IT WILL MAKE IT MORE ENJOYABLE.

>> AND I THINK THE OTHER THING IS AS THE RIVER DEVELOPS THAT WAY, IT ALSO ATTRACTS OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING TO EITHER WALK ALONG THE RIVER BUT JUST USE THE RIVER MORE AND NO WHAT THE RESOURCE IS.

FROM THE METRO PARKS POINT OF VIEW, THAT'S TAKING EXISTING RESOURCES AND MAKING THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE, MORE ATTRACTIVE, MORE USABLE.

SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT, YEAH, I GUESS IF YOU PUT A KAYAK IN THE RIVER AT GRAND RAPIDS YOUR NEXT STOP IS WATERVILLE, BASICALLY, PROBABLY.

AND AS YOU GO FARTHER UPSTREAM, BETWEEN NAPOLEON AND GRAND RAPIDS, WELL, IF YOU KNOW WHAT 'S THERE MAYBE YOU STOP IN, WHAT, TEXAS.

BUT THERE ISN'T AN ACCESS POINT.

YOU HAVE TO TIE UP TO SHORE AND HOP OUT.

>> DO YOUR HOME WORK BEFORE YOU LEAVE, PLAN THIS AHEAD OF TIME AND YOU HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM PRIVATE OWNERS OR PLACES AND THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT.

>> THIS WOULD MAKE IT SEAMLESS FOR PEOPLE.

>> MUCH EASIER.

>> EMILY, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE RIVER BESIDES BEING THIS WONDERFUL BEAUTIFUL RESOURCE HAS -- IT'S A PLACE YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE TWO DAMS, HOW WILL THAT BE HANDLED?

THERE'S ONE IN DEFIANCE, INDEPENDENCE, AND GRAND RAPIDS THERE'S PROVIDENCE BY THE METRO PARK.

WHAT WILL YOU DO TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING ON THE RIVER BUT ALSO THEN BEING SAFETY CONSCIOUS ABOUT BEING ON THE RIVER DURING THIS?

>> RIGHT.

SO THE BROCHURE THAT WILL BE PUBLISHED AND MARKETED AT THE STATE LEVEL AND AT A REGIONAL LEVEL THROUGH ALL THE PARTNERS WILL HAVE THE INFORMATION ON THE LOCATIONS OF THE DAMS AND THE BEST WAY TO PORTAGE AROUND THEM SO IT WILL GIVE THE DISTANCE OF PORTAGE SO THE ONE DAM IT TAKES I THINK ABOUT A QUARTER MILE SO USERS WILL BE AWARE OF THAT PORTAGE BEFORE THEY GO THERE AND ARE PLANNING THE TRIP.

THERE'S ALSO SIGNAGE AVAILABLE ON THE RIVER SO THERE WILL BE A COUPLE TIERS OF SIGNAGE.

ONE THAT SAYS "WARNING DAM AHEAD" AND THE NEXT ONE WILL SAY "DANGER TAKE OUT NOW" WITH ARROWS AND INFORMATION ON HOW TO TAKE OUT.

SO THERE WILL ALSO BE OTHER SAFETY INFORMATION INCLUDED ON THE INFORMATION PANEL FOR THE BROCHURE, INCLUDING EDDIES AND HOW TO LOOK OUT FOR CERTAIN HAZARDS AND THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION.

WE'LL INCLUDE AN OUTDOOR ETHICS SECTION WHICH WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE THE PACK IN PACK OUT METHOD AND BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE RESOURCE.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY IT AND BE GOOD STEWARDS SO HAVING THAT INFORMATION AND TEACHING PEOPLE HOW TO DO THAT IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT IN WHAT METRO PARKS ARE INTERESTED IN AS WELL.

>> NOW, STEPHANIE FROM WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, ANY CONCERN ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVE PROPERTY ALONG THE RIVER WHO ARE -- DEAL WITH YOUR AGENCY, MAYBE FARMERS ARE SAYING WELL, WAIT A MINUTE, NOW WHAT'S THIS COMING ALONG?

ANY CONCERN ABOUT THAT THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING, WELL WHAT IS THIS?

WAS WHAT WILL IT MEAN IN A CONTROL SENSE OR ANYTHING?

HAS THAT BEEN ACCEPTED -- MAYBE IT'S NOT EVEN A PROBLEM BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY OH, YOU'RE GOING TO DESIGNATE THIS AS SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE IMMEDIATELY LIKE OH, LOTS OF RULES AND RESTRICTIONS, WHAT AM I NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT I'M CURRENTLY DOING?

ANYTHING LIKE THAT GOING ON OR NOT?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE BETTER FOR LAND OWNERS AND PEOPLE ALONG THE RIVER.

THE REASON BEING NOW THERE MAY BE FOLKS WHO ARE PUTTING IN IN A SPOT THAT IS NOT PUBLICLY OWNED AND IS JUST KIND OF THE KNOWN SPOT TO PUT IN.

WITH THE WATER TRAIL DESIGNATION IT WILL BE VERY NICE BECAUSE THE PUBLICLY OWNED SPOTS WILL BE LABELLED, THERE WILL BE A NICE SIGNAGE THERE LETTING PEOPLE KNOW A PLACE TO PARK, LIKE EMILY STATED, THE OUTDOOR ETHICS WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD AND WE THINK PEOPLE WILL USE THAT.

MOST PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO KAYAK AND CANOE -- >> EVERYBODY WILL GET ALONG BETTER BECAUSE IT WON'T BE SOMEBODY STEPPING ON SOMEONE'S PRIVATE PROPERTY WHICH RAISES LIABILITY ISSUES AND THIS WAY THERE WILL BE DESIGNATED PLACES.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'LL LOOK AT, WE HAVE THE MAP GOING FROM WEST TO EAST OF THE WATER TRAIL AND WHERE WE THINK IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WILL BE POTENTIAL ACCESSIBILITY POINTS.

SO WE COME BACK, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE MAUMEE RIVER WATER TRAIL ON THE "JOURNAL" ON WBGU TV.

>>> THANKS FOR STAYING WITH US.

I'M STEVE KENDALL.

WE'RE TALKING WITH REPRESENTATIVES AND THE FOLKS WORKING ON THE MAUMEE RIVER WATER TRAIL.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT AS WE LEFT THE LAST SEGMENT IS WE'LL LOOK AT THE MAP AND GIVE PEOPLE AN IDEA OF WHAT THE RIVER LOOKS LIKE.

YOU SEE THE MAP UP IN THE AIR, OVERHEAD YOU DON'T REALIZE HOW MANY CURVES AND TWISTS THERE ARE IN THE RIVER, DRIVING ALONG IT SEEMS LIKE IT MEANDERS NICE AND STRAIGHT.

ONE OF THE THINGS, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, IS THAT THE RIVER IS A WONDERFUL RESOURCE, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, IT DOES A LOT OF THINGS ECONOMICALLY BUT BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS A RIVER THAT HAS THE LEVELS RISE AND FALL QUITE A BIT, THAT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF.

FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT THAT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE ON THE RIVER FOR THE FIRST TIME WHO CAME TO NORTHWEST OHIO TO DO THIS WATER TRAIL.

SO TALK ABOUT HOW THAT GETS MANAGED FOR PEOPLE SO PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF WHAT THEY'RE GETTING INTO LITERALLY.

>> THE MAUMEE RIVER DOES FLUCTUATE SO MUCH IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF WATER LEVELS AND WATER SAFE PADDLING WATER LEVELS.

SO THERE ARE THREE USGS GAUGE STATIONS ALONG THE MAO LEE RIVER THAT ARE CONSTANTLY MONITORED AND THAT INFORMATION IS PUSHED OUT ON THE WEB PAGE.

THROUGH THE LOCATIONS OF THOSE USGS GAUGE STATIONS WILL BE ON THE BROCHURES WITH INFORMATION, LINKED TO THOSE AS WELL SO PADDLERS WHO ARE PLANNING TRIPS CAN PLAN AHEAD TO MAKE SURE THE CONDITIONS ARE SAFE FOR PADDLING.

>> WHAT WOULD TYPICALLY BE -- WE TALKED ABOUT SAFE CONDITIONS.

WHAT'S THE IDEAL CONDITIONS ON THAT RIVER IN TERMS OF AVERAGE DEPTH?

IS IT THREE FEET?

FIVE FEET?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU'RE WATT.

IF YOU'RE FROM DEFIANCE NAPOLEON AND GRAND RAPIDS IT'S PRETTY FLAT, YOU DON'T A WHOLE LOT OF RAPIDS THROUGH THERE AND IT COULD BE ALMOST ANY LEVEL BUT WHEN GROW FROM WATERVILLE -- EXCUSE ME, FROM GRAND RAPIDS DOWN, YOU HAVE TO RAPIDS AND THAT'S WHERE IT GETS TREACHEROUS.

IN JUNE YOU HAVE A TRICKLE YOU HAVE TO WALK YOUR KAYAK THROUGH AND IN THE SPRING IT'S A WHITE WATER, THERE'S ANOTHER KAYAK GROUP THAT USE IT FOR WHITE WATER TRAINING, IT'S THAT BAD SO -- AND YOU CAN HAVE UNDERNEATH THE WATERVILLE BRIDGE 10, 15 FEET AND A HIGH FLOW AND YOU HAVE TO BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL.

>> I KNOW DOWN WHERE THE PARK COMES DOWN TO THE RIVER THERE WILL BE KAYAKERS WHO WILL BE BASICALLY TREADING WATER.

THEY'RE FACING UPSTREAM AND JUST PADDLING AND THE FLOW IS SUCH THEY CAN NOT EVEN MOVE AND BE PADDLING FURIOUSLY TO HOLD THEIR PLACE, WHICH IS WHAT THEY'RE DOING SO -- AND AT OTHER TIMES THE TAME SECTION YOU CAN WALK ACROSS AND NOT GET YOUR FEET WET.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS PEOPLE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF.

FROM YOUR AGENCY'S PERSPECTIVE STEPHANIE, THAT RISING AND FALLING, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT PEOPLE PUTTING WATER INTO THE RIVER?

ANY IMPACT ON THEM IN THAT REGARD OR NOT?

IN TERMS OF FARMERS?

THEY HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THAT.

THEIR TILES RUN INTO THAT RIVER, THAT SORT OF THING?

>> THE MORE IT RAINS THE MORE WATER THAT'S GOING TO RUN OFF AND FROM THE WATER QUALITY PERSPECTIVE THAT IS WHEN MOST OF THE NUTRIENTS ARE LEAVING THE GROUND OR YOU KNOW -- >> ARE GETTING -- RUNNING OFF OR GETTING THROUGH, YES.

>> SO NOT ONLY ARE WE GETTING MORE WATER AND FLOOD STAGES BUT WE'RE GETTING HAD BEEN RUNOFF.

THOSE ARE THE TIMES WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PRACTICES ON THE LAND ARE WORKING.

THINGS LIKE COVER CROPS AND PEOPLE MAKING SURE THEY'RE NOT PUTTING TOO MUCH FERTILIZER ON THEIR LAWN.

BUT FROM A RECREATIONAL STANDPOINT THAT'S WHERE THE RIVER IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE AND WE REALLY WANT TO STRESS THAT PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE OUT IN THE -- IN FLOOD STAGE.

>> OCCASIONALLY YOU HEAR PEOPLE DO HAVE TO BE RESCUED AND YOUR QUESTION IS WHY WERE YOU THROUGHOUT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> RIGHT.

>> BECAUSE THE RIVER WAS EXCITING AND LET'S GO OUT.

IT'S LIKE DECIDING TO GO SNOWMOBIING IN A GREAT SNOWSTORM.

YES, IT'S FUN BUT THERE'S THINGS YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER.

IF WE LOOK AT THIS -- THE MAUMEE RIVER, WE TALKED ABOUT FT.

WAYNE, WE'LL LOOK FROM THE OHIO LINE WEST OF ANTWERP ALL THE WAY THROUGH TOE THREE DOE AND AS WE BRING THOSE MAPS UP AND THE FIRST GIVES US THAT LOOK AT THE WESTERN END, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ACCESS POINTS AND WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE.

THERE'S THE MAP FROM ANTWERP IN THE LOWER LEFT ALL THE WAY WORKING OUR WAY UP BASICALLY DOWN RIVER TOWARD NAPOLEON, SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THING THERE IS THAT PEOPLE -- THESE ARE THE POTENTIAL ACCESS POINTS WE'RE SEEING?

OR ARE THESE EXISTING?

>> THOSE ARE ACCESS POINTS THAT ARE PUBLICLY OWNED THAT THE LAND OWNER HAS AGREED TO BE PART OF THE WATER TRAIL.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

>> SO IN THIS SECTION HERE STARTING AT THE STATE LINE WHICH IS ON THE WEST OF ANTWERP THERE, COMING INTO OHIO YOU CAN SEE HOW THE RIVER LOOKS VERY SINUOUS.

SO IT'S GOING BACK AND FORTH, SNAKING BACK AND FORTH.

RIGHT IN THIS AREA FROM THE STATE LINE ALMOST TO DEFIANCE, THE MAUMEE RIVER IS CONSIDERED A STATE SCENIC RIVER.

SO THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW BECAUSE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL STRETCH OF THE RIVER AND A VERY, I GUESS, NATURAL PART OF THE RIVER WHERE YOU COULD BE ON THE RIVER FOR PERIODS OF TIME AND NOT REALLY SEE ANY HOUSES OR CIVILIZATION EVEN THOUGH IT'S THERE.

SO IT'S A VERY ENJOYABLE FOR SOMEONE LOOKING FOR THAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE.

>> MORE RELAXED, JUST NATURE AND NOT A LOT OF ACTIVITY ALONG EITHER BANK.

I THINK FOR PEOPLE WHO DRIVE ALONG THE OLD HIGHWAY THAT RUNS ALONG THERE, YOU'D HAVE NO IDEA THE RIVER LOOPS THAT WAY SO MANY TIMES AND BASICALLY CUTS BACK AND FORTH LIKE THAT.

FROM NAPOLEON ON DOWN IT GETS RELATIVELY STRAIGHT AND WIDER BUT THAT'S A PRETTY AMAZING THING.

DEFIANCE -- WE'RE LOOKING AT THE WATERSHED.

WHAT IS THE TRIBUTARY COMING IN FROM THE SOUTH AND WEST INTO DEFIANCE?

>> SO THE MAP HERE ONLY SHOWS A SECTION OF IT.

IT'S MUCH LARGER AND COMES -- THAT'S JUST SHOWING A PORTION OF IT GOING INTO DEFIANCE AND IF YOU LOOK JUST TO THE WEST OF THAT WHERE THE DAY BRIDGE ACCESS SITE IS, THE RIVER COMING FROM THE NORTH INTO THE MAUMEE RIVER, THAT'S THE TIFFIN RIVER.

SO THERE'S TWO RIVERS THAT COME INTO DEFIANCE.

>> A LOT OF ACTIVITY THERE AT THE CONVERGENCE POINTS.

NOW IF WE MOVE TO THE MIDDLESEX, THIS IS AS YOU CAN SEE THE MORE SINUOUS PART.

THE MIDDLESEX TAKES US EAST OF DEFIANCE ALL THE WAY UP TOWARD WATERVILLE AND WE CAN SEE THE RIVER DOES GET A LITTLE LAZIER IN TERMS OF HOW IT CURVES, NOT SO MUCH ACTIVITY.

BUT THIS IS THE MORE RAPID SECTION YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT WHERE THE RIVER RISES AND FALLS QUITE A BIT IN TERMS OF THAT.

AND THESE ARE PLACES PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO ALLOW ACCESS.

SOME OF THESE PROBABLY EXIST AT METRO PARKS ALREADY, IS THAT RIGHT, EMILY?

>> YEAH.

METRO PARKS AS SEVERAL ACCESS SITES.

THIS HAS BEEN A FUN PROJECT FOR THE PERSPECTIVE OF PULLING TOGETHER A LOT OF DIFFERENT PARTNERS THAT WE HAD NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH BEFORE.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT.

EVERYONE IS EXCITED TO KIND OF ADVERTISE THEIR ACCESS SITE A LITTLE BIT MORE AND BE PART OF THIS PROJECT SO THIS STRETCH OF THE RIVER LESS MEANDERING.

THE FLOOD PLAIN WIDENS A BIT.

IT TENDS TO BE SHALLOW DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS SO BE AWARE OF THAT.

THIS SECTION IS A STATE-DESIGNATED -- HAS A STATE-DESIGNATED RECREATION TITLE SO THE UPPER STRETCH IS THE SCENIC STRETCH, THIS IS THE RECREATION STRETCH WHICH BASICALLY MEANS THERE'S MORE ACCESS POINTS, MORE BRIDGES, MORE ROADS JUST EASIER ACCESS TO THE RIVER.

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT.

THERE'S MORE ACCESS TYPES DISPLAYED ON THIS PART OF THE RIVER BUT STILL VERY BEAUTIFUL, LOTS OF PARKS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.

THE TOE PACK IS ALSO JUST TO THE NORTH SO THAT COULD BE A FUN TRIP FOR SOMEONE WHO'S LOOKING FAR BIKE AND PADDLE TYPE OF OPPORTUNITY TO PADDLE DOWN OR BIKE BACK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> AND THIS IS PROBABLY A LITTLE MORE INHABITED SECTION, GRAND RAPIDS AND WATERVILLE.

THAT PARTICULAR SECTION, BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF METRO PARK ALREADY, YOU HAVE SOME ACCESS THERE.

I KNOW GRAND RAPIDS THERE'S A NEW KAYAK AND CANOE ACCESS POINT BY THE BRIDGE.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND THEN ALONG THE OTHER PLACE AROUND FARNSWORTH PARK THERE'S A BOAT RAMP SO MORE ESTABLISHED IN THAT SECTION.

WHEN WE MOVE TO THE THIRD SECTION WHICH IS WATERVILLE TO TOLEDO WHICH IS THIS MAP RIGHT HERE, THERE'S THE CITY OF TOLEDO AND MAUMEE IN THE CENTRAL UPPER SECTION, MORE ACCESS POINTS HERE.

THIS IS A MORE URBAN SETTING NOW A MUCH MORE INHABITED SECTION SO WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS HERE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE AWARE OF?

>> DEFINITELY MUCH MORE URBAN.

THE RIVER CHANNEL GETS PRETTY WIDE IN THIS SECTION.

IT'S -- OFTEN TIMES THERE WILL BE MOTORIZED BOATS.

I SEE PEOPLE WATER SKIING BUT IT'S STILL SUITABLE FOR CANOES AND KAYAKS AS WELL.

METRO PARKS OPENED A NEW METRO PARK IN DOWNTOWN TOLEDO CALLED MIDDLE GROUND AND THERE'S A KAY YAK LAUNCH, WE HAVE EXCAVATED THE AREA OUT TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO PUT IN AND TAKE OUT OUTSIDE OF THE RIVER CHANNEL AND GO INTO THE RIVER CHANNEL SO WE DO A LOT OF PROGRAMMING DOWN THERE KIND OF STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING, KAYAKING, CANOE CLASSES, HAVING THAT COVE AND ALLOWING PEOPLE TO GET OUT OF THE RIVER CHANNEL AND LEARN IN THAT AREA AND THEN TO ADVANCE IN THE CHANNEL IS VERY HELPFUL SO LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES EVEN INTO THE BAY FOR PADDLING AND EVEN MOTORIZED BOATS IF THAT'S WHAT SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN.

>> BECAUSE YOU HAVE A COUPLE ACCESS POINTS AT THE MOUTH OF THE MAUMEE RIVER IN THE BAY THAT ARE TECHNICALLY NOT PART OF THE RIVER BUT THERE AT THE END YOU RAISE AN INTERESTING POINT.

WHEN WE COME BACK, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE RIVER ISN'T JUST USED BY PEOPLE PADDLING AND DOING STANDUP, THERE'S MOTOR ACTIVITY OUT THERE AS WELL.

SO WHEN WE COME BACK WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THE MAUMEE RIVER WATER TRAIL ON THE "JOURNAL."

>>> THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MAUMEE RIVER WATER TRAIL.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF -- AND EMILY YOU TOUCHED ON THIS, THERE'S A WHOLE SERIES OF THINGS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN BEFORE THE DWEZ NATION IS ALLOWED.

STEPHANIE, YOU SAID THERE ARE A SERIES OF PUBLIC MEETINGS SO PEOPLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT, SEE WHAT THIS IS, COMMENT, UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT IT BEFORE IT AUTOMATICALLY HAPPENS SO TALK ABOUT HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS AND WHERE PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO DO THIS?

>> SURE.

EMILY AND I AND THE OTHER PARTNERS HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD WITH GETTING GROUND WORK LAID.

MAINLY LAND OWNERS ON BOARD AND THE SIGNS PICKED.

THE NEXT STEP THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH HERE IS MAKING SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS ABOUT IT AND HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT AND WE'RE HOPING WE RECEIVE GOOD COMMENTS AND ANY KINDS OF CONCERNS WE NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION SO OVER THE COURSE OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY WE'LL BE HAVING PUBLIC MEETINGS, ONE IN EACH COUNTY THAT THE WATER TRAIL WILL RUN THROUGH.

THERE WILL BE A -- THEY WILL BE AT A PUBLIC LOCATION, WE HAVE A FEW SCHEDULED AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES SO WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME OUT, SEE THE WATER TRAIL, TALK TO US, LET US KNOW WHAT THEY THINK AND THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES ONLINE TO GIVE FEEDBACK SO THE METRO PARKS WEB SITE WILL BE A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN DO THAT.

IF THEY CAN'T MAKE ONE OF THE MEETINGS THEY CAN LET US KNOW WHAT THEY THINK.

>> THEY CAN FIND THAT INFORMATION ON THE METRO PARKS WEB SITE BECAUSE OVBLY THE MORE INPUT AND THE MORE BASICALLY BUY-IN ON THIS THE BETTER FOR EVERYBODY AND PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS AND NOT.

THE UNKNOWN IS ALWAYS THE BIGGEST THING YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT AND OBVIOUSLY, IF I'M SOMEBODY WHO HAS NEVER GOTTEN IN A KAYAK, AND I HAVE NOT, BUT I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE, SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE KAYAKERS, WHAT WOULD BE THE TYPICAL SEASON?

WHEN CAN I THEORETICALLY START?

I KNOW IT DEPENDS ON HOW WARM IT GETS?

MARCH, APRIL?

>> MAY.

MAY AT THE EARLERS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WATER TEMPERATURES IN CASE YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT.

THERE'S A RULE YOU TAKE AIR TEMPERATURE AND WATER TEMPERATURE, COMBINE IT TO A NUMBER 120 OR SOMETHING JUST TO GIVE YOU A BALLPARK.

JUNE IS A GOOD TIME TO REALLY GET GOING.

THE WATER WILL BE WARMING UP AND EVERYTHING.

THERE'S -- METRO PARKS HAS KAYAKS, THEY ALSO OFFER CLASSES.

OUR GROUP NORTHWEST OHIO RIVER RUNNERS WE OFFER SAFETY CLASSES IN THE MONTH OF MARCH AND APRIL PUT ON BY THE U.S.

COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FREE OF CHARGE.

IN GRAND RAPIDS THERE'S RENTALS DOWN THERE AT RIVER LURES TO RENT KAYAKS.

SO FAR THAT'S IT BUT THIS OPPORTUNITY, THERE WILL BE MORE MUCH MORE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND $200 TO $500 TO TAKE A ONE TIME TRIP SO THAT WILL OPEN IT UP QUITE A BIT.

>> AND FOR SOMEBODY WHO SAYS I WANT TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE BEFORE I INVEST, THIS IS A GOOD -- THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT WE CAN SAY THIS IS REALLY COOL OR WELL MAYBE THIS ISN'T EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO BE BUT IT GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TEST IT WITHOUT HAVING TO GO IN THE WHOLE WAY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE RIVER HAVE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ACTIVITY AND THE AREA -- THE WESTERN END OF IT, THAT SECTION FROM DEFIANCE ON BACK KIND OF MORE PASTORAL, PEOPLE CANOEING, KAYAKING, A MORE RELAXED SETTING BUT AS YOU GET TO WHERE THERE'S MORE MOTOR ACTIVITY, RECREATIONAL BOATS THAT ARE MOTORIZED, WHAT DO PEOPLE HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT THAT?

WHAT ARE THINGS PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF?

IF I'M OUT THERE KAYAKING, WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AND WHAT ARE THE OTHER FOLKS' RESPONSIBILITIES?

>> WELL, WHAT THE RULES ARE AND WHAT PEOPLE DO ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, UNFORTUNATELY.

THE BEST THING IS TO STAY CLOSER TO SHORE WHEN THERE'S A LOT OF BOATING BECAUSE THE POWER BOATS HAVE BEEN FLYING THROUGH, JETSKIS AND THINGS SO YOU WANT TO TEND TO STAY NEAR SHORE UNLESS YOU HAVE TO CUT ACROSS AND BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND LISTENING FOR POWER BOATS COMING UP ON YOU.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE THAT BRIGHT-COLORED KAYAKS TO BE SEEN, YELLOW PADDLES, COLORFUL LIFE JACKETS, THINGS LIKE THAT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE AWARE OF.

>> PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU, YOU CAN SEE THEM BUT THEY MAY NOT SEE YOU.

>> YOU'RE A SPECK AND IF THEY'RE MOVING AT 20, 30 MILES AN HOUR THERE ISN'T MUCH REACTION TIME.

>> I GUESS IT'S THAT PART, TOO, WHERE WE SEE THE SAFETY REGULATION THERE IS WILL BE SOME CONSIDERATION OF THE FACT THAT, YES, YOU'RE SHARING THE RIVER AND ESPECIALLY ON THE NORTHERN OR EASTERN END OF IT YOU'D BE LOOKING AT COMMERCIAL BOAT TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY INTO THE TOLEDO AREA, FREIGHTERS COMING IN AND OUT OF THE LAKE SO A LOT OF THINGS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION.

WHAT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST ADVANTAGE PEOPLE WOULD SEE FROM THIS PROJECT IF I'M JUST A CITIZEN IN DEFIANCE COUNTY, LUCAS, WHY SHOULD THIS BE A GOOD IDEA FOR ME?

>> WELL, THERE ARE A LOT OF BENEFITS TO AN OFFICIAL WATER TRAIL.

I THINK THE BIGGEST FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IS BEING ABLE TO GO TO ONE PLACE TO ACCESS ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO PLAN AND SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTE A RIVER TRIP.

ALSO BEING AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND HAVING THE UNIFORM SIGNAGE SO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE IN RELATION TO THE RIVER AND OTHER ACCESS SITES SHOULD THERE BE AN EMERGENCY.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S SOME ECONOMIC BENEFITS AS THIS GETS PROMOTED AT THE STATE LEVEL AND BEYOND AND WE GET INCREASED TOURISM COMING TO ACCESS THE BEAUTIFUL RESOURCE, PEOPLE WILL BE SPENDING MONEY ON FOOD AND LODGING SO THIS IS A BIG BENEFIT FOR THE REGION AS A WHOLE, IT ALSO REALLY FALLS INTO METRO PARK'S MISSION AS FAR AS PROVIDING CONNECTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO RESOURCES THAT WE STEWARD SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IS OFFERING MORE OUTDOOR RECREATION AND OUTDOOR SKILLS SOURCES SO WE'VE LEARNED THAT WHEN PEOPLE LEARN THOSE SKILLS THEY MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY WANT TO DO IN THE A CONTROLLED PROGRAM SETTING, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR PLACES THEY CAN DO THAT ON THEIR OWN SO THIS TO US IS ALSO THAT CONTINUUM OF OFFERING PEOPLE SAFE PLACES TO RECK CREATE AND KNOW THEIR SURROUNDINGS AND WHERE THEY CAN ACCESS THINGS TO ACCESS THE RIVER ON THEIR OWN TIME AFTER THEY'VE LEARNED THE SKILL TO POTENTIALLY A PROGRAM THROUGH US OR WHAT TOWN.

>> THROUGH A SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM WITH REGARD TO HOW BEST TO USE THE RIVER AND BE A GOOD PARTNER.

>> AND TO ADD ON TO WHAT EMILY SAYS FOR THE BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE, WHEN YOU'RE ON THE RIVER TALKING ABOUT SHARING THE RIVER, YOU'RE ALSO SHARING THE RIVER AND BEING ABLE TO SEE THE WILDLIFE ON THE RIVER SO THERE ARE MANY SPECIES OF BIRDS AND FRESH WATER MUSSELS AND FISH AND MAMMALS, WILDLIFE SO WHEN YOU'RE ON THE RIVER YOU'RE GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE SOME THING THAT YOU WOULDN'T SEE DRIVERING DOWN THE ROAD OR HIKING SO I THINK THAT OPENS THE DOOR FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO EXPLORE THE AREA.

>> GREAT.

WELL, THANK YOU EMILY ZIEGLER, STEPHANIE SINGER, BOB PULHUJ AND WE'LL FIND OUT MORE AS THIS PROGRESSES.

GO TO THE METRO PARKS WEB SITE AND GET INFORMATION ON WHERE THE PUBLIC EVENTS ARE AND WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

YOU CAN CHECK US OUT AT WGBU.ORG AND YOU CAN WATCH US ON WBGU-TV PUBLIC TELEVISION.

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT TIME.