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HOWLAND -- The Trumbull County Metroparks entered into an agreement with RiverReach Construction Design Build Team at $645,532 for the removal of the Leavittsburg Dam set for 2025.
The Metroparks board approved the agreement at its meeting Thursday and planned to have the designing and planning stage done in 2024.
Metroparks Executive Director Zachary Svette said once the planning stage is completed, a second contract for the construction work on the dam will be undertaken.
Svette said a Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program grant worth $3,203,500 will cover restoration activities and the long-term management of the project site that satisfies Ohio EPA requirements.
He said RiverReach Construction also has been contracted for the Summit Street Dam removal in Warren and other dams along the Mahoning River, including in Lowellville.
Svette said the dam's removal could take a year to complete depending on the sediment.
Board member John Brown said two-thirds of dam restoration projects are sediment removal.
The work in 2024 will include all the preliminary stage work, which includes project design, testing of sediment and other work.
The Leavittsburg dam near Canoe City MetroPark is expected to be the final dam slated for removal along the Mahoning River. The Summit Street Dam will be removed first.
The Lowellville dam was the first fully removed dam of nine targeted by the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments.
The Metroparks board approved the removal of that dam, which is owned by the Metroparks, despite a petition against the dam's removal.
Residents have expressed concerns over the river's water level if the dam is taken out, as well as septic system exposure and flooding.
OTHER PROJECTS
In other business, the metroparks is looking to work with Kent State University at Trumbull, Fairhaven Workshop, Trumbull Career and Technical Center and a proposed Mercy Health facility to have some type of connection along Educational Highway in Champion.
"We are talking about a trail or sidewalks connecting each location and to the bike trail. The trail could loop around the properties," Svette said indicating he has been in contact with the other organizations that seem to be in favor.
Board member Nicolette Darkangelo said if this project is completed, it can be promoted to show how the parks want to have a connection with businesses and schools while encouraging health and wellness.
The board also is applying for an Appalachian community grant for the Baughman Creek slide repair, which is the closed section of the trail in Bristol. Svette said the funds will help regrade and complete that project.
That project is included in the Eastgate Council of Governments application for several projects. Svette said $400,000 is being sought for the project with the local match $1,200.
The grant would be used to study nonmotorized pedestrian movement within the Educational Highway corridor.
In other action, the board:
• Approved Fannie Miller, who serves as fiscal officer in Bloomfield Township, as the new part-time office manager for the metroparks.
• Heard from Svette that the Ohio Department of Transportation will be designing the parking lot at the office administration building in Howland.
• Will submit an application for Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation funding and Community Forest Program funding for purchasing the Vienna Woods Conservation Area, off Route 193.