Clean Ohio fund helps preserve 1,847 local acres

Boardman plans to preserve land along Yellow Creek.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- About 1,847 acres in Mahoning and Trumbull counties have been preserved in recent years through the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund.
In the most recent round, the Natural Resources Assistance Council, a panel appointed by Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, approved three projects, said Rachel McCartney, an environmental planner at Eastgate.
Final approval must come from the Ohio Public Works Commission.
"Through the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, we've been able to preserve 1,847 acres of land in Mahoning and Trumbull counties," she said.
Boardman was approved for a 41,120 grant to buy nearly eight acres of undeveloped land along Yellow Creek in the southeast corner of the township, along Western Reserve Road.
The total purchase price is 63,261, with the township covering what the grant does not.
It's owned by RDW Co., a Canfield development company that plans a condominium development adjacent to the land in Poland Township.
The company has offered to pay for construction of a hiking trail on the piece that Boardman wants to buy, officials have said.
Trumbull County
For Trumbull County, the panel approved 296,250 for 134 acres along the Mahoning River in Weathersfield.
An additional 31,500 was approved for the Mill Creek Park Foundation, which plans to buy six acres on Milton and Lakeview avenues in Youngstown.
The foundation is a charitable organization, separate from the park district, that raises money for park capital projects and education.
Carol Potter, Mill Creek Park spokeswoman, said the property, owned by Donna Russo, abuts the Calvary Run stream.
She said it creates a contiguous stream bank owned by the park, which will preserve the native plants and animal species.
The total cost is 42,000 and Russo is donating 9,900 to make up the local match. The 9,900 is an in-kind contribution in land value.
The foundation is covering the remainder of the cost.
McCartney said there is about 50,000 left over from the latest round of Clean Ohio Conservation funding and if any of the projects come in under budget, other projects may be possible.
The Clean Ohio fund was approved by voters in 2002 but runs out this year. McCartney said the issue may return to the ballot in 2008.