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 MWCD receives $1.6-million planning loan The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District will receive an additional $1.6 million loan to help it prepare and implement a plan of maintenance and improvements in the Muskingum River Basin that will yield an estimated $2.5 billion worth of benefits within the watershed. The Ohio Water Development Authority approved the loan funds during a meeting today (Dec. 14) at Columbus. The OWDA, a state agency that provides funding for environmental infrastructure projects, previously loaned MWCD $3.8 million in 2004 for the conservancy district to begin the planning process. "This is a necessary step in the continued work by the MWCD to begin the crucial projects that will protect the system of reservoirs and dams that provide flood reduction and water quality benefits in our region," said John M. Hoopingarner, MWCD executive director/secretary. "The use of these funds, along with those received originally from OWDA, will help the MWCD reach the point where it will begin the critical projects that will protect the citizens, industries and organizations vital to our region." The MWCD has been working over the past several years to implement a $270-million plan of maintenance and improvements to the system of reservoirs and dams, as well as water quality enhancements. Projects in the plan would be funded through a proposed assessment of property owners in the 18-county MWCD region. There are an estimated 750,000 parcels of property subject to the proposed assessment by the MWCD. Ohio law details how conservancy districts are organized, operate and obtain their funding, as well as the steps the districts must follow in order to levy an assessment. To date, the MWCD reports that it has expended slightly more than $4 million related to the proposal. Specifically, funds have been used to establish a Geographic Information System (GIS), inform the public through a public information and education program, legal and court costs, and staff expenses. Hoopingarner said the MWCD has estimated that total additional costs of $3.2 million are expected before projects begin in 2008, but that half of that amount was sought in Thursday’s request. "As a result of communication the MWCD has had with members of the Ohio General Assembly, as well as other public interest in this plan and process, we believe it is prudent policy to take these requests in incremental steps," Hoopingarner said. "We firmly believe this will demonstrate the MWCD’s pledge to continue to work with all interested parties throughout this process to ensure that there is public input and transparency before this process is complete." The MWCD originally had stated that its goal was to begin maintenance and improvement work in 2007. However, because of the length of time needed to complete the legal process related to exceptions filed by more than 5,000 property owners to projected assessments released early in 2006, the plan was delayed by one year and is projected to begin in 2008. Since its inception, the MWCD system of reservoirs and dams has prevented more than $6 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding, according to federal government estimates. An independent study of the potential benefits of the MWCD maintenance and improvement plan estimates that once enacted, the region will receive about $2.5 billion in future benefits compared to its initial $270-million investment. In most cases, the MWCD will not directly perform the work, but will partner with interested agencies and private individuals, meaning the plan also will lead to the protection and creation of much-needed jobs with contracts enacted with private firms. Projects that have been identified to be addressed include working with the federal government for dam safety improvements, as well as work on sediment removal, shoreline protection, water quality improvements, watershed management and reservoir operations. The MWCD manages the reservoirs behind the dams in the system, while the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the dams. MWCD estimates the assessment will generate more than $11 million annually for projects to maintain and improve flood reduction and water quality programs in the watershed. The plan of work has been endorsed by numerous media outlets in the region. According to state law, the appraisal methodology was developed by the three-member MWCD Board of Appraisers. Members of the Conservancy Court, which consists of one common pleas court judge from each of the 18 counties wholly or partially contained in the MWCD jurisdiction, reviewed and approved the methodology of the assessment. Residents of the MWCD region have received the benefits of flood reduction, water conservation and quality, and recreation from the system of reservoirs and dams for more than 70 years without an assessment in place. The proposed $12-annual assessment for residential and agricultural properties compares favorably with those in the Maumee Conservancy District of $19.88, in the Miami Conservancy District of $60 to $70 and in the Hocking Conservancy District of $35. By law, funds collected from the MWCD assessment cannot be used to pay for improvements related to recreation programs, such as boat launch ramps, camping facilities and others. The 18 counties wholly or partially contained in the MWCD jurisdiction are Ashland, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Washington and Wayne. For more information, visit www.mwcd.org on the Internet or call the MWCD toll-free at (877) 363-8500.
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