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Watershed group seen in new light
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - February 22, 2012)
Watershed group seen in new light
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon Township Trustees are turning to a resource they once rejected in a renewed effort to save Wisner Road.
Trustees voted unanimously last week to pay a $1,016 membership fee to the Chagrin River Watershed Partners organization, which could assist with developing solutions for the road that has been slipping with erosion problems for nearly 40 years.
"It seemed like a waste of money," Trustee Charles Strazinsky said last week, referring to an offer about four years ago by the watershed partnership for township membership. "But, after talking with them last week, I changed my mind in a heartbeat."
Trustee Michael Brown agreed, saying the offer about four years ago failed to impress him as a valuable resource for the township should consider. He said that offer seemed to center on helping the township with zoning, which he considered to be on solid ground already.
Mr. Strazinsky said the latest discussions revealed that the organization could provide professional consultation, and possible funding, for problems that have been progressing along Wisner Road over the past several years. He said watershed partnership could assist the township in seeking grants and provide planning and design on projects to shore up the road.
Recently, a northern section of the road begin to slide down a ravine along the valley of the Chagrin River. Last month, the river caused a landslide along the edge of the road, just north of Chardon Kirtland Road. The township also is in the process of vacating another section of the road that was washed away by the river in the 1970s.
Chagrin River Watershed Partners was formed by 16 cities, villages, townships, counties and park districts in 1996 in response to concerns about flooding, erosion and water quality. Today, 36 members make up the group and comprise 95 percent of communities and land area in the watershed.
The partnership provides technical assistance to members and develops cost-effective solutions to handling water-quantity and quality issues in the watershed.
Trustees agreed to have a member of the organization speak at their next meeting.
One of the first priorities for the township, Mr. Brown said, will be to address the slippage along the northern end of Wisner Road.
Township Road Superintendent John Washco said he already met with one official, who explained what was causing the problem there. The road, which sits along a steep slope above the river, is being pushed downward by the force of water running from the hillside above it, he said.
He said money from a Great Lakes Restoration grant may provide funding for a solution.
Wisner Road residents John Mauter and Jack McMillan, who appealed to trustees earlier to seek funding rather than abandon the section being washed away to the south, said they're happy that the township is now seeking assistance.
"This could be a very good thing," Mr. Mauter said. "There are things we can look at."
Mr. McMillan said the township should attempt to save the southern section of Wisner Road, because it is a historic, pristine area that is treasured by county residents who enjoy hiking, biking and horse riding.
But trustees said it's unlikely that they'll abandon plans to vacate that section of road, because it serves no residents and the cost is prohibitive.
"Who's going to spend another $250,000 to ride horses back and forth?" Trustee Steven Borawski asked. "We're not going to put that kind of money to fix that road. It's gone."
The township already is vacating a section just north of there, he said, and isn't likely to spend the money to save another 300 feet, if no residents are served by it.
The other trustees agreed.
Mr. Strazinsky said trustees must consider the priorities for the township when working with limited funds. They will focus on saving the northern portion of the road, he said.
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