The Board of Directors of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) met in special session today (Dec. 14) to discuss action this week by the Ohio General Assembly that puts a temporary hold on the MWCD’s assessment collection scheduled to begin in a few weeks.

Two Board members – David Parham and Richard Pryce – were asked to take the lead in discussions with public officials and others about recent developments. The Board also passed a resolution that authorizes the MWCD administration to take the necessary steps to protect the interests of the conservancy district and the 2 million residents of the watershed in the future.

"We are certainly disheartened that the General Assembly has taken this action because we are keenly aware of the need to begin work on major projects in the district," MWCD Executive Director/Secretary John M. Hoopingarner told the Board members during the meeting in New Philadelphia. "We must find common ground that allows this important work to move forward."

The Ohio General Assembly approved an amendment to a bill this week that put a temporary hold on the MWCD’s planned assessment. Collection of the assessment and projects related to major rehabilitation of the reservoirs and dams in the watershed were scheduled to begin in 2008

Board President Thomas Tribbie said the administration and Board have numerous responsibilities and issues to consider.

"This Board and the administration of MWCD have certain responsibilities to the nearly two million Ohioans who reside in the watershed,” Tribbie said. “The Board now has to carefully consider what action it should take to fulfill those responsibilities."

The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan for flood reduction and water conservation in the Muskingum River Watershed, an 18-county area in east-central Ohio. By 1938, 14 dams and reservoirs were constructed - two others were built later - and the system has prevented billions of dollars in potential property damage from flooding and provided water for public uses.

The MWCD is the only large conservancy district in the state that has not levied an assessment but needs to do so now because of the aging of its reservoirs and dams. The MWCD assessment would be used as a state match to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds for projects in the region.

The 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.