Struthers to re-apply for Ohio EPA dam removal grant


June 9, 2016 at 12:03a.m.

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

Citing environmental benefits, the city will re-apply for funds from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to remove a dam on the Mahoning River between Struthers and Campbell.

Advocates, including Friends of the Mahoning River, say removing the dam will free up the river’s natural flow, allow wildlife to flourish and attract water-sports tourism. Additionally, the Ohio EPA contends communities could save money on water treatment if the river is allowed to run freely and partially filter itself.

Struthers council passed legislation as an emergency Wednesday night authorizing Mayor Terry Stocker to submit a new application to the Ohio EPA on behalf of Struthers and Campbell, requesting $4.5 million to $5 million. The application is due June 29.

Struthers and Campbell have submitted joint grant applications for dam and sediment removal at several points in the past and have been turned down each time.

Lowellville secured a $2.4 million grant from the Ohio EPA in 2013 to remove a dam in that village along with 20,000 cubic tons of contaminated sediment trapped near the dam. A property dispute has delayed that project.

In other business Wednesday, Struthers council reviewed amendments to the city’s garage-sale ordinance. The proposed amendments would increase the garage-sale permit fee from $2 to $5 and prohibit garage sale signs from being placed on utility poles. Another proposed change would allow residents to have sales more frequently by allowing the same residence to have a sale once every three months. Under the existing ordinance, the same residence can have a garage sale once every six months.

Councilman-at-large Michael Patrick first suggested during a committee meeting earlier this year that council review garage-sale legislation in neighboring municipalities and revisit its own ordinance.

Currently, violating the garage-sale ordinance carries a fine of no more than $100 for a first offense and no more than $200 for a second offense.