MAHONING RIVER Economist touts benefit of dredging

More people would be willing to come for the improved water, a spokesman said.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Besides clean water, dredging more than 30 miles of the Mahoning River could have economic benefits for the area as well, according to one official.
Joe DeLucia, an economist with the Pittsburgh district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, thinks a clean river could open the door for recreation activities along the waterway. In turn, it could mean more visitors to Trumbull and Mahoning counties, as well as more money for the Mahoning Valley, he said.
DeLucia led the discussion about recreation benefits of the Mahoning Valley Friday at the Mahoning River Consortium's meeting. He presented the results of an analysis conducted by the Corps and a group of local volunteers representing a number of agencies, including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Audubon Society of Mahoning Valley, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and the Trumbull County Planning Commission.
With a major project such as the dredging of the Mahoning River, which is expected to take about 10 years, there is the possibility to get some additional federal funding for recreation facilities, provided the right criteria are met.
No specifics
He cautioned, however, that specifics like what facilities and their projected costs are not definite yet.
Possibilities, though, could include biking and hiking trails, picnicking areas, camping sites, boat launches, fishing areas and swimming spots.
But before getting to that stage, DeLucia said, there are several steps. One is demonstrating that any added recreational areas are economically justified. Another is ensuring they do not add more than 10 percent to the federal government's share of restoring the Mahoning River.
As an example, he said, if dredging the Mahoning River were to cost $100 million dollars, the federal government would cover 65 percent -- or $65 million -- of that amount. The rest would come from sources such as state and local funds, grants or loans.
Adding recreational facilities
Of that $65 million, adding recreational facilities could not exceed 10 percent -- or $6.5 million -- to the federal government's share. The $6.5 million would also need to be matched dollar for dollar by other funding sources, he said.
In the example DeLucia gave, the funding for recreational facilities would total $13 million.
"But it could go above that," he explained. "But anything above that number would be 100 percent the responsibility of the nonfederal party."
DeLucia also said that before facilities could be recommended, a land-use plan of the river would need to be developed to show where activities could be located.
But if the funding is secured and recreational facilities do become a part of the river's restoration project, the economy could be impacted, he said.
Bikers, fishers, hikers and more might be willing to drive further distances to enjoy the revitalized water, vegetation and animal life along the banks, he said.
For more information on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' recreation benefit analysis of the Mahoning River restoration project, check the Mahoning River Consortium's Web site at www.mahoningriver.co.trumbull.oh.us.
slshaulis@vindy.com