State and Federal Contacts Regarding Lowhead Dams
Federal Agencies
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE)
The Corps is dedicated to providing strong protection of the nation?s aquatic environment, including wetlands, to enhancing the efficiency of the Corps administration of its regulatory program, and to ensuring that the Corps provides the regulated public with fair and reasonable decisions.
Below is a list of COE contacts within the four districts serving Ohio that can provide assistance with questions pertaining to dam removal. Each of these individuals works in the Planning Section and is able to answer dam removal questions or permitting requirements. http://www.usace.army.mil/where.html#State
Curt Meeder, Chief of Planning
Department of the Army
Pittsburgh District Corps of Engineers
William S. Moorhead Federal Building
1000 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 395-7228
Christine Brayman, Chief of Planning
Department of the Army
Buffalo District Corps of Engineers
1776 Niagra Street
Buffalo, NY 14207
Phone: (716) 879-4274
Gene Barr, Acting Chief Plan Formulation
Department of the Army
Huntington District Corps of Engineers
502 8th Street
Huntington, West Virginia 25701
(304) 399-5801
Sharon Bond, Chief of Planning
Department of the Army
Louisville District Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 59
Louisville, Kentucky 40201
(502) 315-6857
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
If permits are required for the removal of a dam, the individuals listed below are the first point of contact after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Dr. Mary Knapp, Supervisor
Ken Lammers Asst. Supervisor (614) 469-6923 ext. 10
6950-H Americana Parkway
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-4127
(614) 469-6923 ext. 12
http://midwest.fws.gov/Reynoldsburg/
State Agencies
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Geological Survey
The division is presently mapping the physical characteristics of various rivers to get a better understanding of the stream morphology, water quality, fish habitat, and substrate materials. Their work is funded by a grant from the Great Lakes Protection Fund.
Constance Livchak, Supervisor
1634 Sycamore Line
Sandusky, OH 44870-4132
(419) 626-4296
Division of Natural Areas & Preserves
The division is actively involved in the removal of dams on state wild and scenic rivers. Benefits of dam removal include improved water quality, fish habitat and recreational opportunities. In some cases dams are breached to protect downstream infrastructure and reduce the potential for disaster.
Before any decisions are made with regard to dam removal, the environmental impact of the construction of dams, bridges, roads or other publicly funded projects are carefully considered and evaluated. ODNR has the authority to approve or disapprove all publicly funded projects on designated scenic rivers outside municipal corporation limits. Questions regarding dam removal should be directed to Bob Gable at the number listed below.
Bob Gable, Scenic Rivers Manager
Division of Natural Areas & Preserves
2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. F-1
Columbus, Ohio 43229-6605
(614) 265-6814
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/
Division of Real Estate & Land Management
The Division of Real Estate & Land Management (REALM) provides department-wide planning and environmental review coordination on all ODNR properties.
Questions concerning dam removal should be forwarded to Randy Sanders. He oversees and coordinates the environmental review process for proposed projects in the department.
Division of Soil & Water Conservation (DSWC)
As of January 1, 2003, 28 watershed coordinators are working with several Ohio communities to develop watershed plans. One of the first priorities of a watershed coordinator is to work with local stakeholders to develop a comprehensive watershed plan. The goal of the watershed plan is restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of stream segments within the watershed. Watershed groups may also address issues of local concern.
The Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the Division of Mineral Resources Management, the Ohio Coastal Management Program, and Section 319 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Program, administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, provide funding for the Watershed Grants Program. Dam removal is an important component of the program. Rosida Porter is the department?s Watershed Specialist and can be reached at the number listed below. A complete list of the watershed coordinators is available by clicking on the website below.
Division of Water
The division is in charge of regulating dams of a certain size. Approved plans may be required for the removal of the dams. The core purpose of the program is the protection of people and property downstream from dams. For more program information contact:
Division of Watercraft
The division is responsible for boating safety, education, and law enforcement that cover all waters of the state. This statewide area includes the nearshore area along 451 miles of the Ohio River, approximately half the entire surface area of Lake Erie, more than 200 inland lakes, and over 60,000 miles of inland streams, rivers and other waterways.
Division of Wildlife
The division is actively involved in the dam removal process as a viable alternative to improve water quality and fish habitat. For more information on this subject contact Joe Mion at (614) 265-6346 or you can phone the Wildlife Field Office that is nearest to you.
Joe Mion, Asst. Administrator, Fish Management and Research
2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. G-3 Columbus, OH 43229-6605
(614) 265-6346
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/
Wildlife Field Offices (Click here for a map of the districts.)
District 1
1500 Dublin Road
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 644-3925
FAX (614) 644-3931
District 2
952 Lima Avenue
Findlay, Ohio 45840
Phone: (419) 424-5000
FAX (419) 422-4875
District 3
912 Portage Lakes Drive
Akron, Ohio 44319
Phone: (330) 644-2293
FAX (330) 644-8403
District 4
360 E. State Street
Athens, Ohio 45701
Phone: (740) 589-9930
FAX (740) 589-9999
District 5
1076 Old Springfield Pike
Xenia, Ohio 45385
Phone: (937) 372-9261
FAX (937) 376-3011
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Division of Surface Water
The Division of Surface Water is responsible for restoring and maintaining the quality of Ohio's rivers and streams. The goal of Ohio's surface water program, restoration and maintenance of Ohio's water resources, reflects the national water quality objective as contained in the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA). Dam removal questions should be directed to Randy Bournique.
Ohio Historic Preservation Office
Mark J. Epstein, Dept. Head, Resource Protection and Review
David Snyder, Archaeology Reviews Manager
Ohio Historic Preservation Office
567 East Hudson Street
Columbus, Ohio 43211-1030
(614) 298-2000
Fax: 614/298-2037
email: dsnyder@ohiohistory.org
Ohio Department of Transportation
Office of Environmental Services
ODOT is a potential funding source for the removal of dams in Ohio. Listed below is the name, address, telephone number and website address for ODOT.
Other Contacts
Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS)
The mission of OUPS is to serve the customer needs by providing a quality one-call process to: protect the public, protect the public infrastructure, and protect the environment. Before any dam removal activities take place, individuals, groups or governmental entities should contact the number listed below and ask the OUPS representative to make a site inspection of the area to see if any underground utilities area buried in the area.
Ohio Utilities Protection Service
4750 Belmont Avenue
Youngstown, OH 44505
(800) 362-2764
http://www.oups.org/
Today, the elected County Engineer is sworn to "perform for the county all duties authorized or declared by law to be done by a Civil Engineering or Surveyor". Although specifically exempt from engineering duties affecting public buildings, he is the engineer for all public improvements under the authorization of the board of commissioners within and for the county. When an individual or a group is contemplating a dam removal project, one of the first calls should be to the County Engineer to enlist his help. You can access the name and telephone number for each county engineer by clicking on their website. http://www.ceao.org/gas_tax/compare_county_needs.htm
Floodplain Administrators
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