Ohio EPA to Host Meeting on Portage Lakes East Reservoir Dam

Potential deep water impacts from improvements to the East Reservoir Dam in Portage Lakes will be the focus of an April 27, 2017, Ohio EPA public information session and hearing.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Portage Lakes Kiwanis Civic Center, 725 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron.

The meeting is an opportunity for residents to ask questions and submit comments concerning the application submitted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to repair the East Reservoir Dam and implement an improved spillway to safely pass flood waters that could occur during heavy rains.

If the project is approved, ODNR could place a maximum 52,500 cubic yards of fill below the ordinary high water mark.

“The section to be impacted extends along Portage Lakes Drive between North Turkeyfoot Road and South Turkeyfoot Road in Akron. Ohio EPA also may consider other alternatives that result in less or no impact to area water quality,” the announcement said.

“Anyone planning to discharge, dredge or use fill material in a way that impacts waters of the state must first obtain a water quality certification from Ohio EPA and a permit from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Ohio EPA reviews the project to ensure it will comply with Ohio’s water quality standards.”

The proposed project may result in a change from current water quality conditions, but cannot violate Ohio’s water quality standards that protect human health and the environment. Ohio EPA will consider technical, economic, social and environmental aspects of the project before deciding whether to issue or deny a water quality certification.

The public comment period for the application ends May 4, 2017.

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