USA: Lakewood Mayor Concerned Over Cuyahoga River Dredging

Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers sent a letter to the Ohio EPA outlining some concerns over the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ plan to dredge the Cuyahoga River and dump the materials into Lake Erie.

The city of Lakewood is immediately upland from the proposed locations where the Corps plans to dispose of the dredged materials.

“Lakewood looks to Ohio EPA and other state agencies to ensure that the Corps proposal is technically sound and meets the requirements of all applicable law,” Summers wrote.

He further highlighted a few questions before any open lake placement projects proceed:

– Is the state of Ohio certain that disposal can have no impact on the Cleveland water supply, which serves Lakewood?

– Is the state of Ohio certain that disposal will not impact fish and contribute to any limits on consumption of fish from Lake Erie?

– Is the state of Ohio certain that disposal will not cause or contribute to harmful algal blooms in the central basin?

– Is this proposal the best plan for use of sediments and dredge material for our larger community, considering needs of beach nourishment and lakefront protection?

“The city of Lakewood, comprising more than 52,000 residents, looks to Ohio EPA to act reasonably and lawfully to protect the citizens of Lakewood and all users of Lake Erie,” Summers added.

[mappress]

Press Release, March 16, 2014