CHAMPION, Ohio (WKBN) — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday approved a permit for the removal of Leavittsburg Dam, a hot topic that has been thoroughly debated in recent months.
According to a Wednesday filing, the EPA has issued a construction site stormwater general permit for the Leavittsburg Dam Removal project.
The dam removal is not a particularly popular decision with residents, who have loudly expressed their displeasure with the plan to demolish it, even providing a study to show that alternatives to demolition are possible.
The Metropark's argument for removal is that it would remove a fish passage barrier on the Mahoning River, increasing biodiversity within the area.
The overall cost of this project is estimated to be $3.2 million. The project will be funded by the Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP).
The Leavittsbug Dam is one of nine dams along the Mahoning River that are scheduled to be demolished. The Lowellville, Struthers, and Summit Street dams have already been removed.
While the permit was approved by the EPA, the Board of Commissioners of the Trumbull County MetroParks could revote to reaffirm the decision to demolish the dam at their next meeting set for Dec. 19.
Stan Boney contributed to this report.