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To recognize the Hellbranch Watershed Cooperative Agreement.
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WHEREAS, City Council recognizes the importance of the Hellbranch Watershed and its impact upon the Big Darby Creek, a national and State designated Scenic River and one of The Nature Conservancy's "Last Great Places"; and
WHEREAS, members of City Council and Mayor Michael B. Coleman, in accord with the Franklin County Commissioners, Franklin County Engineer, City of Hilliard, City of Grove City, Brown Township, Pleasant Township, Prairie Township, and Norwich Township, on May 22, 2002 signed a Hellbranch Watershed Forum Cooperative Agreement to promote sound land use and development principles for the environmental and economic health of the region; and
WHEREAS, the Forum has been organized to collaboratively develop consistent storm water polices and regulations, develop a pilot project, and cooperate in and support a watershed plan for responsible development and stewardship of the watershed; and
WHEREAS, the Forum has solicited the assistance of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District to develop an action plan to help establish consistent policies for the watershed; and
WHEREAS, support for the Corps of Engineers watershed study is only the latest positive action taken by the City of Columbus in protecting the Big Darby which has included designations of environmental conservation districts, adoption of a Hellbranch stream protection overlay, sale of city property alongside the Big Darby to MetroParks, and approval of a two year development moratorium; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council continues its participation in support of the Forum's activities, thereby authorizing city funds to be leveraged with State matching monies and other jurisdictions financial contribution to develop a watershed action plan; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Supports the proposed storm water impact study as outlined by the Army Corps of Engineer's (ACOE) proposal dated April 17, 2003 under the leadership of the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District.