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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Group abandons conservancy district proposal
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

The Northwest Ohio Flood Mitigation Partnership on Monday announced it is abandoning its push for formation of a separate conservancy district for the Blanchard River watershed.

The announcement was made by Partnership President Tony Iriti during a meeting held to present preliminary ideas for flood control options in Findlay.

The development came after a summer-long cooling off period in which the Partnership backed away from the concept it had been touting heavily in the spring. The proposal had encountered opposition from area residents, mainly because the conservancy district would have taxation and eminent domain powers.

Conservancy districts operate and maintain projects in a watershed, like those for reducing flooding or preserving wetlands.

"As of tonight, this is no longer part of our program of work. It will be up to elected officials how to operate and maintain" any flood protection projects that are built, Iriti said. "They'll have to come up with some kind of cost-sharing agreement for design and implementation."

Iriti said separate political groups, like Findlay City Council or the Hancock County commissioners, could try to form a conservancy district if they wish.

But other options remain for government entities, like taking flood control matters into their own hands, or forming a joint board that would include other towns or counties that would benefit from projects.

"The Army Corps doesn't care who does it. They just want to know who is in charge of operating and maintaining things," said Iriti.

The conservancy district idea was controversial from the start.

It was introduced by the Partnership in fall 2008 as the most viable, comprehensive option for operation and maintenance of flood control projects. Officials initially planned on petitioning for district formation this fall; the petitions would have been submitted to common pleas court judges in the six counties within the Blanchard River watershed. The judges then would have appointed a board to run the conservancy district.

Much of the Blanchard River watershed already lies within the Maumee Conservancy District, but the Partnership thought forming a separate district would give people more local control over projects.

Three meetings held over the summer, however, attracted a vocal contingent of opponents. The Hancock County Farm Bureau also came out against the idea.

Opponents were wary of having a non-elected board in charge of flood control projects. They also feared the board's eminent domain and assessment powers.

The Partnership tried to use the Miami Valley Conservancy District in the Dayton area as a model.

But critics latched onto the Muskingum Conservancy District in eastern Ohio, where assessments have been challenged in court. The district has won each case.

The Farm Bureau has said it favors remaining in the Maumee district. Partnership board member Scott Malaney, the president and CEO of Blanchard Valley Health System, said Monday the Maumee district has the same powers.

But Malaney said the Partnership has too much on its plate now to be fighting for conservancy district formation; it has a self-imposed 15-month time frame to get flood control projects to the design phase before it dissolves.

"Our job is to get a plan in place and to move forward with it," said Malaney. "The notion of a conservancy district was generating all kinds of rumors and innuendo. This is just not central to our theme. We thought this was becoming a lightning rod and this isn't even the central issue."

"We still believe the conservancy district is the best vehicle" to control watershed projects, Iriti said, but another entity would have to take the reins to make it a reality.

Brown: 419-427-8496,

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2 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Don from Dayton wrote:
Conservancy Districts in Ohio
“ The Flood Mitigation Committee is absolutely correct. Formation of a Conservancy District is the most responsible, efficient and economic means by which to address the flood control issues in the six-county area. I had the pleasure of working with the "model" conservancy district in ohio for over a decade and can testify to its responsible approach to "assessments" and eminent domain. Yes, other conservancy districts have had some time in court, but I assure you that these district "powers" are enforced rarely, and ALWAYS responsibly. Assessments are always weighed on benefit, by law, and my experience indicates that those assessments are rarely adjusted upward. The Conservancy Court and the appointed Board of Directors are not compensated by the District, and their oversight is typically non-political and very fair. Any other approach to flood control will also be met with resistance, but any alternative approach will not be nearly as effective as a conservancy district. I have visited many, around Ohio and the country, and they all seem to be well run. Something has to be done...Dayton suffered flooding through many decades...then following the flood of 1913, formed The Miami Conservancy Distrct....and floods no more. ”
Monday, December 14, 2009 1:34:07 PM
Elaine Reynolds wrote:
ballot issues
“ Is the issue about casinos Issue 2 or Issue 3? You state both on page 9 of your voter supplement. Also, in ten pages of voter information, you never got around to listing what Issues 6 through 14 are. ”
Saturday, October 31, 2009 10:32:28 AM
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Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.