Officials should be thinking about Mill Creek flooding

EDITOR:
As the local monsoon season approaches, I'd like to pose an open question to the Mill Creek Metropark board, the trustees of Boardman and Canfield townships, and to any developers concerned:
Just what do you plan to do about the frequent severe flooding of the southern portion of Mill Creek Park?
The flooding has resulted in the park's having to often close its No. 4 nine on the golf course, resulting in a considerable loss of revenue. The flooding also damages the course. Last year, the flooding even forced the closure for a time of West Golf Drive, which serves the golf course.
The area most severely affected by the flooding is the forested area of the park lying between U.S. Route 224 and Shields Road. Because of the flooding and its consequences, this area is basically useless to the park.
During cross country skiing forays on the golf course this winter, I noticed (in contrast with other winters) few deer tracks in the snow. Apparently the deer which inhabited this wooded area east of the golf course have moved on, displaced by the flooding.
Because of their foraging habits, a decline in the number of deer in the park may be good news -- but it does point to an unfortunate destruction of wildlife habitat.
The southern portion of the park has a mosquito problem, as anyone who has played the golf course's south 18 on a still summer's evening well knows.
The mosquito problem is probably linked to the flooding. Mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus, which is particularly deadly to crows and can be fatal to humans. Dead crows have been found in Boardman backyards.
It might be noted that the very popular East Golf Drive walking trail borders the area that floods.
It is the development to the south and southwest of the park that is causing the flooding because of the greatly increased runoff.
This year, a huge spurt in this development could significantly worsen the situation. The large Westford complex being built southwest of the park will drain into Indian Run Creek, a large Mill Creek tributary which is already a major flooding culprit.
To the south, signs along the west side of Sharrott Road are posted at roads leading to three developments, The Cedars, The Lakes and The Landings, all of which will drain into Mill Creek to their west.
In addition, the rapidly growing village of Columbiana is also in the Mill Creek watershed. Significantly, recent work at that village's waste water plant will increase its capacity, and thus its outflow.
What will all this increased drainage mean to Mill Creek Park? Has the park looked into possible legal recourse?
ROBERT R. STANGER
Boardman