Conservancy Court votes to table basin decision

DEFIANCE — Hancock County Common Pleas Judge Reginald Routson argued for the public's right to full transparency with the proposed $60-million Eagle Creek basin — and won — at Friday's meeting of the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District Court. The court held its annual meeting via teleconference, with public viewing at the Defiance County Courthouse. A motion to amend the conservancy district's work plan to allow for the construction of the basin was tabled until at least July 9, when the court will meet again to consider the request. The conservancy district serves Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Shelby, Van Wert, Williams and Wood counties. Routson, who represents Hancock County on the court, said there are still too many questions and concerns about the project, and argued that the public has a right to have its say on the issue. He agreed to organize a public meeting, with officials present, so that those questions and concerns can be aired and answered publicly. Routson then made the motion to table the decision. Conservancy district representatives argued that the public has had ample opportunity to have input on the project, and questioned the need to delay the project. The 15-judge panel, which oversees the operations of the conservancy district, voted 9-5 to table the motion to allow more time for more public input, with Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Lucas, Putnam and Van Wert counties opposed. Hardin County was not in attendance. Planning for the basin has continued, including a preliminary study of the project by Stantec engineering, despite pushback from the judges during the court's annual meeting in 2020. The meeting was delayed until September due to the pandemic. In 2020, the court panel questioned the conservancy district's authority in spending $11.25 million in early 2020 for the purchase of 416.8 acres at the proposed basin site in Hancock County's Eagle Township. That's about half the land needed for the proposed basin. Money to pay for the property was taken from a $15 million grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Another $15 million was awarded to the project by the state of Ohio, as part of the capital budget, in December. The basin, which is expected to range in size from 600 to 800 acres, will be dry most of the time. However, during a flood, the basin could hold enough stormwater to drop floodwater 1.5 feet on Findlay's Main Street during a 100-year storm, like the flood of August 2007. Once constructed, it will cost about $100,000 annually to operate and maintain the basin. Upkeep would include mowing, debris removal, maintenance of the basin's outlet and emergency spillway, and maintenance of public access locations. So far, there has been no recommendation on how operating and maintenance expenses should be addressed in the future, but property tax assessments have been discussed. Any taxes levied to support the basin project would need the approval of the court. The city of Findlay has also been approached about assuming the expense. Any taxes levied to support the basin project would need the approval of the court. Grant: 419-427-8412