SB 313 - Coastal Management Law Summary

• Amends Ohio's coastal management law governing Lake Erie shorelines by redefining key terms including "erosion control measure," "coastal structure," and "coastal restoration" to include nature-based solutions like beaches, dunes, wetlands, and nature-based shorelines.

• Establishes a tiered coastal permit system (tier 1, 2, and 3) based on risk level, replacing the previous shore structure permit process, with different requirements for each tier and streamlined application procedures.

• Modifies coastal erosion area identification procedures by changing the objection period from 120 days to 90 days and converting required public hearings to public meetings to expedite the process.

• Creates new sections (1506.401-1506.404) establishing procedures for coastal permit applications, issuance, enforcement, and temporary emergency permits for coastal structures and restoration projects.

• Allows existing leaseholders under section 1506.11 to request termination or modification of leases within 120 days if land was outside designated territory or used for non-commercial/non-governmental purposes, with rentals retroactively refunded to May 21, 2015.