Explanation
BACKGROUND:
In 2008, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) received a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to conduct a Watershed Action Plan for the Blacklick Creek Watershed. The grant was augmented by local contributions, including $42,000 from the City of Columbus. The Plan identified problems, opportunities, and priorities associated with the waterway. Similar plans have been prepared for other area watersheds. In addition to providing direction on how best to protect and improve water quality, these plans allow local communities to be more competitive in seeking grant dollars to fund watershed improvements.
The plan built on the results of a water quality report performed by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, involvement from local partner communities, and outreach to watershed stakeholders. The resulting document was submitted to and endorsed by ODNR. Among the steps in the planning effort is endorsement by partner jurisdictions. The streams and rivers of Central Ohio constitute our most important natural systems. Their protection is a high priority for the City of Columbus. Endorsement of this plan serves to reinforce this priority, while recognizing the need for ongoing coordination as the plan moves toward implementation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No funds are obligated by this resolution. Aspects of the Plan's implementation may involve City funding, the determination of which will take place on a project by project basis.
Title
To endorse the Blacklick Watershed Action Plan as a means of improving the water quality of Blacklick system.
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio monitors rivers and streams and prepares standards for achieving target water quality levels in compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act; and
WHEREAS, MORPC, drawing on state and local funding, recently worked with local jurisdictions and area stakeholders to complete a Blacklick Creek Watershed Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Plan identifies problems, opportunities, and priorities associated with the watershed and outlines measures to protect and improve its water quality; and
WHEREAS, the Plan was submitted to and endorsed by ODNR; and
WHEREAS, local support for the Plan is critical for its success and improves the likelihood that communities will receive grant dollars to fund watershed improvements; and
WHEREAS, the streams and rivers of Central Ohio constitute our most important natural systems, their protection being a high priority for the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, endorsement of this plan serves to reinforce this priority, while recognizing the need for ongoing coordination as the plan moves toward implementation; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the Mayor and City Council endorse the 2010 Blacklick Watershed Action Plan as a means of improving the water quality of the Blacklick system.
SECTION 2: That the City of Columbus will work in good faith to support the implementation of the Plan, recognizing that this will require project-by-project consideration and is subject to resource availability.
SECTION 3: That this resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.