COLUMBUS, OH -- For the first time, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is proposing standardized rules to govern the sale of public water from the state's historic canal system. A draft of the proposed rules is available for public review and comment on the ODNR web site at www.dnr.state.oh.us/water
About 20 industries, municipalities, recreational facilities and fire departments currently lease water from Ohio's canals and their 13 feeder lakes. All leases were signed prior to 1989, when ODNR assumed management of the state's canal program. Historically, all were handled according to their individual terms. ODNR now proposes standardized rules to clarify requirements and to provide a consistent process for canal water leases. Private homeowners who draw non-potable water from the canals and lakes to irrigate yards and gardens are not affected.
All current leases are located on Grand Lake St. Marys in Auglaize and Mercer counties and on the Portage Lakes (East Reservoir, North Reservoir, West Reservoir) in Summit County. ODNR representatives met with local officials and the public in those areas during the week of April 2-6 to discuss the proposed rules and solicit comments.
Additional canal feeder lakes, with no water leases currently in place, are: Buckeye Lake in Licking, Perry and Fairfield counties; Indian Lake in Logan County; Forty Acre Pond in Auglaize County; Lake Loramie in Shelby County; Long Lake, Nesmith Lake, Nimisila Reservoir, Summit Lake and the Tuscarawas River Diversion Dam Reservoir in Summit County.
Canal water leases currently generate about $180,000 in yearly revenue for the State of Ohio. The new rules will not affect current rates. However, the rules will allow ODNR to review costs every five years and adjust rates if necessary.
Ohio's canal system and its feeder lakes were constructed in the early 1800s as avenues for travel and shipping between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River. But the coming of the railroad in the mid-1800s rendered canals obsolete as a means of transportation. Today, remnants of the canals and their feeder lakes are largely a source of recreation and historic reflection for Ohioans and others who visit the state.
Comments regarding the draft rules must be received at ODNR by May 1. ODNR will hold public meetings on the draft rules later in the summer. Public comments should be directed to Hung Thai, P.E., ODNR Division of Water, 1939 Fountain Square Court E-3, Columbus, Ohio 43224-1385. Phone: (614) 265-6714.
For Further Information Contact:
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860
-or-
Hung Thai, ODNR Division of Water
(614) 265-6714