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 MWCD Urges State Legislative Support Ignoring the needs of the dams and reservoirs in the Muskingum River Watershed could lead to significant risks in public safety and property damage, according to the executive director of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. John M. Hoopingarner, who has led the MWCD for the past 18 years and served as it legal counsel for 10 years prior to that, told members of an Ohio House of Representatives committee that the system of 16 dams of reservoirs in the watershed has saved lives and property. But now the system is in need of maintenance and safety updates that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, including a significant investment from the MWCD. “Public safety must be our priority. Every day we delay the implementation of a solution is another day of aggravated risk,” Hoopingarner told members of the House Economic Development and Environment Committee recently. Committee members have been hearing testimony the past few weeks on House Bill 47 introduced by Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, that would change the way the MWCD is governed and limit its ability to levy an assessment of property owners in the watershed to fund maintenance projects. “The Muskingum system of dams and reservoirs has prevented billions of dollars of damage and saved countless lives over the past 70 years,” Hoopingarner said. “For any of the agencies of federal, state or local government to neglect needed maintenance would be irresponsible. In spite of the feelings expressed by some who oppose this process, the MWCD remains committed to its plan for renewal of this watershed and its role as a partner in the safety and economic development of the region.” Five of the structures in the system of reservoirs and dams constructed in the 1930s for flood reduction and water conservation in the Muskingum River Basin of eastern Ohio have been classified as “Urgent” for maintenance and safety needs by the federal government. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) operates the dams in the system and reports that Beach City, Bolivar, Mohawk and Dover dams, along with Zoar Levee, have a dam safety classification of “Urgent,” which is the second highest classification in the dam safety rating system. Dams in the “Urgent” category are a high federal priority for corrective and maintenance repairs since they have a moderate level of uncertainty and failure of the dams could be triggered by flooding and/or earthquakes. Dam failures can lead to fatalities, injuries and property damage. Col. Dana Hurst, district engineer and commander of the Huntington (W.Va.) District of the USACE, which oversees the dams in the Muskingum River Watershed, also has presented information before the committee and said the USACE is committed to the needed work in the system. He explained that by federal law, a non-federal local sponsor is required to contribute a percentage of the funding for the projects, and the MWCD has committed to serve as that partner. Hurst told committee members that the estimated costs for maintenance of the dams is between $510 million to $680 million, with a cost-share obligation from the MWCD of between $95 million to $135 million. The MWCD, a political subdivision of the State of Ohio, manages the reservoir areas behind the dams in the Muskingum River Watershed, while the USACE owns and operates the dams. The reservoirs, some of which have permanent pools of water (lakes) for water conservation and recreation programs, hold floodwaters temporarily for safe release downstream during flooding conditions. The MWCD has proposed an assessment of nearly 500,000 property owners in the 18-county MWCD region to fund its portion of the repairs and maintenance for the dams, as well as related projects that would lead to improved performance of the system of reservoirs and dams. Most of the work to be completed in the MWCD plan would be cost-shared with other agencies and would lead to the protection and creation of jobs in the region. The MWCD, which has never levied an assessment in its 74-year history, estimates the assessment would generate between $10 million and $11 million annually, with collection and projects that would begin as early as 2008. According to the MWCD, 94 percent of all of the parcels to be billed under the assessment would be for $12 per year, and 96 percent would be for less than $50 annually. Hoopingarner urged committee members to reject House Bill 47. The MWCD is one of an estimated 21 active conservancy districts in the state, all of which are organized, operate and generate funding according to a section of Ohio law. “The MWCD plan, properly funded, is a plan to do right,” Hoopingarner said. “House Bill 47, if passed, could jeopardize this plan by drastically limiting the available funds and thereby jeopardizing public safety.” The MWCD and USACE have a recognized partnership that goes back to the construction of the dams and reservoirs in the 1930s. The MWCD was organized in 1933 to develop a plan for flood reduction and water conservation in the region, and to work cooperatively with local, state and federal governments to construct, operate and maintain the system. Fourteen dams and reservoirs were constructed by the USACE in a partnership with the MWCD in the 1930s. Two other dams and reservoirs – Dillon in 1959 and North Branch Kokosing in 1972 – were constructed later. For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org.
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