Mahoning commissioners OK applications for wetlands grants

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners adopted resolutions this morning supporting two applications by the Boardman Township trustees for state wetlands preservation grants.

The Clean Ohio Conservation Program grants would come from the Ohio Public Works Commission.

The first application is for a $107,625 grant for the Lev Wetlands Preservation Project, with the landowner paying the remainder of the $143,500 project cost as a local match.

The Lev property, located between Jeanne Lynn Avenue and Homestead Drive, is a series of 70 small lots in a residential neighborhood, the majority encompassing wetland and floodplain areas, which the township plans to leave in their natural state.

A public trailhead parking area is planned for a nearby lot.

The township intends to eventually acquire all of the area’s vacant lots.

This application is the first of several that would eventually preserve more than 48 acres of forested wetlands.

The other application is for a $100,00 grant toward the $150,000 Yellow Creek Preservation Project along Western Reserve Road near the Boardman-Poland township boundary.

Under this grant, the county sanitary engineer’s office would acquire 2.64 acres for a sanitary sewer pumping station and provide the $50,000 local match, and Boardman Township would acquire the remaining 10.73 acres.

The land covered under this grant includes Yellow Creek’s main channel and wetland and floodplain areas; and Boardman Township intends to leave the land in its natural state to preserve the creekside corridor.

This proposed project is adjacent to 7.8 acres Boardman Township acquired through Clean Ohio several years ago.