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Storm basin to require wetland mitigation
(by Mike Klimko - November 05, 2008)
Storm basin to require wetland mitigation
By MIKE KLIMKO
Two wetlands banks were in the running for the mitigation process planned in Solon to expand the North Huntington detention basin, city Engineer John J. Busch said.
The cost of each wetlands credit was set at $26,000 per acre, Mr. Busch told City Council's public works committee last week. That is $4,000 less than a previous estimate.
Solon can opt for credits at the Trumbull Creek bank and the Pine Brook bank at $26,000 per acre, the rate offered by the Ohio Wetlands Foundation, Mr. Busch said.
An interlocked system of basins was on the drawing board in May to accommodate about 90 acres in the Central Park redevelopment proposed by the Coral Co. for the SOM centre shopping plaza and surrounding area east of SOM Center Road (Route 91), between Solon and Bainbridge roads. However, that project was abandoned due to financing issues, and the zoning issue to allow planned-unit development was withdrawn from the Nov. 4 ballot.
Prior to the Central Park proposal, city officials targeted expansion of the Huntington basin as a way to reduce flooding of the area by heavy rains.
The existing basin is on 14 acres the city owns between Sharondale and Huntington drives. The basin provides about 5 acre-feet of storage.
Solon proposed the purchase of mitigation credits at Trumbull Creek for the expansion of the basin in the application for the nationwide permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mr. Busch said.
A draft of an agreement with the foundation confirming the use of the Trumbull Creek and Pine Creek credits was reviewed and deemed acceptable by Law Director David J. Matty, Mr. Busch said.
"While we do not know the final mitigation ratio until the application is approved, the draft agreement has been left open for such numbers to be added later," he said.
"Once the corps' permit is issued and/or the credit ratio is known, the draft agreement will be completed with the appropriate mitigation acreage and the total purchase amount for committee approval."
Solon can extend an original reservation period of 180 days by additional increments of 180 days, as necessary, until the national permit is issued, Mr. Busch said, at 10 percent, or $2,600.
Expansion of the basin would affect a half acre on the present site, he said. Based on a recommendation of the foundation, Solon can expect a mitigation ratio of 2 to 1, he said.
"The total purchase cost to the city could be $26,000 and is contingent upon final corps approval," Mr. Busch said. "The engineering department requests the concurrence of the committee and authorization to reserve credits with a payment of $2,600 to the Ohio Wetlands Foundation."
Plans called at one point for an additional basin near the present Huntington basin, Public Works Director James S. Stanek said. The addition was planned to the west of a creek, he said.
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