Officials hear concerns over Eagle Creek basin safety, home values

More than 200 people who attended Monday's public meeting on the proposed Eagle Creek basin sat and listened quietly as a 10-member panel — and other public officials — reviewed the details of the proposed flood basin. Each, in their own way, advocated for the plan, but there wasn't a lot of support in the room. When about 20 members of the public stepped to the microphone, concerns included safety, disruption to homes and roadways, impact to home values, lack of information on the project, and the cost of the project itself. Judge Reginald J. Routson served as the facilitator for the nearly two-hour meeting. Routson represents Hancock County on the 15-judge Maumee Watershed Conservancy District Court charged with overseeing the work plan of the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District. The court is expected to reconvene July 9 to vote on whether the basin should be added to the district's work plan. Panel members included representatives from the conservancy district, Blanchard River Solutions Group, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the conservancy district board of directors. HUBB spokesman Steven W. Cramer was one of the first to step to the mic and address the panel. HUBB is a group that includes about 100 members, mainly rural landowners in Hancock and Putnam counties, "that would be impacted by projects to control flooding in the city of Findlay." The group favors projects that are not invasive to county property. Cramer argued that Eagle Creek comprises only 15% of the watershed. "... Is it worth $70 million to put a roof over 15% of your house?" he asked. However, conservancy district officials have said that while Eagle Creek only encompasses 15% of the land area, it contributes about 25% of the total flood water to the river during a 100-year flood event. It's unclear how the public's input will impact the project now that most of the land for the basin is purchased or under purchase agreement. So far, the conservancy district has purchased 416.8 acres in Eagle Township for $27,000 per acre — a total of $11.25 million. Money to pay for the property was taken from a $15 million state grant. Another $15 million was awarded to the project by the state, as part of the capital budget, in December. At its 2020 annual meeting — held in September — the court challenged the district's authority to purchase the land without the court's approval to include the basin in its work plan. The court then tabled the decision at its annual meeting this year, held in May, to allow for public input. A recording of the meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsBokHd_s-0