Download Integrated Planning Liaison Committee

Integrated Physical Planning Liaison Group
Meeting summary – September 11, 2013
Attending: Kristany Berger, Mike Boehm, Dana Booth, Amy Burgess, Charlie Finlay, Keith Myers, Bill Orosz, Mike
Penner, Molly Ranz-Calhoun, Lynn Readey, Al Rodack, Carolyn Staskiewicz
Updates:
1. 5th Aveneue Dam Removal and River Restoration
Guests: Laura Shinn (PPARE), Doug Huffner (Risk Management)
Laura presented. She reviewed the issues addressed before design and the challenges that arose during
early phases. The river has required more shaping than anticipated because of the condition of the river
bottom, which was not going to channel naturally during the expected timeframe due to soil quality.
Environmental impacts were reviewed. Laura discussed the mussel rescue—11 species were found in
the area and relocated, indicating overall water health. Riffle construction is underway. Wetlands are
being built in sewer discharge areas to clean and purify the water. She also discussed delays caused by
wildlife--beavers were stealing wood used in bank reconstruction and eating the live branch netting,
while the planting phase was set back by geese eating the seed. Planting is predominantly native
species. 5 years of post construction monitoring is required and will mediate any further problems.
Experts in different areas – water quality, wetlands, channel, species – will monitor.
No water access for kayaks or canoes are currently funded, but are on the list for future development.
Connections with the regional water trails from High Banks to the Greenlawn Dam were reviewed, as
was the similar city project for restoring the Scioto River downtown.
Faculty and student engagement has been and will continue to be extensive: river clean-up, mussel
relocation, education and messaging, pre and post restoration monitoring, long term monitoring. A
Environmental and Natural Resources class focused on the river for two terms. Laura previewed some of
the educational pieces that the class prepared. She also reviewed the student-based River Charette.
Keith discussed the city’s $2B boring project for combined sewer overflow, which will have a huge
impact on water quality in the Olentangy. There was a general discussion of risk issues. Dam removal
and river restoration took more Ohio State land out of the flood plain, but the impact varies along the
length of the project. The Cannon Drive relocation and berm removal will have a more significant
positive impact. Bridges were discussed. Waterway ownership was discussed, as well as Ohio State’s
responsibility for land management adjacent to the river.
Timeline: The channel should be done by the end of the year, with planting in the fall and spring, and
any follow-up work completed in the spring. The project is currently on schedule for completion in
Summer 2014, but that could vary depending on setbacks due to weather or environmental reasons.
Next meeting: September 25, 2013
IPPLG/Integrated Physical Planning Liaison Group – Mike Boehm/Keith Myers co—conveners:
for more information contact either of them or [email protected]