 It originally included Lucas, Wood, and Monroe counties, and by 1974 would expand to include Erie, Ottawa, and Sandusky counties into its region.It became the water quality planning agency for the area in 1975 and would be recognized by the state as "the areawide agency responsible for carrying out programs that led to planned rural development and urban growth, better transportation systems, improved water and air quality, wiser use of energy and natural resources, and long-term economic vitality.