Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat News

The Newsletter of the Great Lakes
Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund

Volume 8, Number 2 • March-April 2000

Ohio Update

Little Darby National Wildlife Refuge Proposal at Critical Juncture

The proposal by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the creation of a national wildlife refuge to preserve 23,000 acres of prairie and stream habitat and 23,000 acres of farmland in the Darby Watershed, 25 miles west of Columbus is fighting for life. The Little and Big Darby Creeks, named a “Last Great Place” by The Nature Conservancy, are home to 103 species of fish and 38 species of mussels, including two federally endangered mussel species. The refuge would protect the Little Darby as well as restore a small portion of Ohio’s tallgrass prairies.

Members of Congress are hearing from proponents at this critical time making the points that the proposed wildlife refuge would:

Provide habitat for federally endangered and state threatened species and restore a portion of Ohio’s historic tall grass prairie, a rare habitat that has all but disappeared from Ohio.
Preserve farmland that is threatened by constant development pressure from several surrounding communities by implementing the only funded program to preserve farmland in Ohio.
Provide recreational opportunities in a unique ecological preserve.
Be an entirely voluntary option for landowners; eminent domain will not be used and the agency will pay full, fair- market value for land purchased thereby saving this very special place for future generations to enjoy by using voluntary purchases only.

Taft Proposes Conservation Bond Act for Ohio

In January, Ohio Governor Bob Taft proposed his environmental plan to improve Ohioans’ quality of life in the form of two bond funds at $200 million each. His proposal puts both bond initiatives before voters during the November 2000 election. Once passed, additional legislation will define the limits and implementation of these proposals.

Taft’s proposal would provide $200 for brownfield development and urban revitalization through cities and not-for-profit corporations. According to the Governor’s office eligible projects will include “environmental assessments of brownfield sites; site acquisition and clean up; appropriate demolition; infrastructure improvement, including technological improvements such as fiber-optics and satellite access; and local economic strategy development.”

An additional $200 million would be earmarked for environmental enhancement and preservation. Local governments and non-profit groups would receive loans and grants to enhance Ohio’s natural environment, maintain local watersheds, and preserve valuable farmland. Eligible activities will include “streambank restoration and protection projects; conservation easements in riparian corridors; wetlands preservation or restoration; river sweeps; farmland preservation; development of greenways and recreational trails and bike paths; reforestation projects; education programs aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution; and watershed planning.”