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Old 10-13-2014, 07:16 AM   #1
mfdanko99
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Angry Damn Delays

By Megan Wilkinson

mwilkinson@vindy.com

LOWELLVILLE

In September 2013, Lowellville estimated its dam removal and river restoration project would be completed by October 2014.

But as October rolled around, the dam still stands with no construction or design work completed.

Lowellville received a $2.4 million grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in February 2013 to remove the First Street dam on the Mahoning River and to clean up 20,000 yards of contaminated sediment in the river. Linda Oros, spokeswoman for the OEPA, said there are about a ?half dozen dams located along the Mahoning River? and that ?this is the first in a series that the Ohio EPA would like to see removed.?

Lowellville Mayor James Iudiciani said the only holdup left in starting the dam removal is purchasing the southern half of the dam, which is owned by Sharon Slag, a stone-crushing business under Soil Remediation Inc., and Gennaro Pavers.

Iudiciani said David Gennaro, owner of both businesses, needs to sign an environmental covenant before the southern half of the dam can be taken down.

?We could proceed and just take down [our] half of the dam,? Iudiciani said. ?But none of us want to do that.?

One roadblock to Gennaro?s signing any agreement is that SRI is facing criminal charges and civil action from Ohio officials for illegal dumping of oil and gas waste. Ohio officials pressed charges in April 2013, and as of this month, the charges have not been resolved. The officials include the Northeast Ohio Environmental Crimes Task Force, the Ohio EPA and the Attorney General?s Office.




?Sharon Slag wants to participate in the dam removal project, but according to his attorney, a lot is still tied up in courts from the company?s EPA charges,? Iudiciani said.

He added that ?to be fair? on Sharon Slag?s case, it took the village through August to complete project survey work and talk to property owners next to the dam about the project.

Joann Esenwein, Lowellville?s grant writer, said the village can move forward with project plans once an environmental covenant is signed. She said if it is not signed by Sharon Slag, then Lowellville will purchase the property.

Esenwein said the village is working with an appraiser to get a value to offer Gennaro for the property.

Iudiciani said he is not sure yet how much an appraisal will be for the Sharon Slag property.

?His half of the dam could be $10,000 to $15,000,? he said. ?But I think he is still using the land for revenue, so that could make it worth up to $50,000.?

Iudiciani said he is still waiting to hear from an appraisal company in the Akron area. He said he wants to see the project completed in winter so the Lowellville area of the river can be used for recreation next spring and summer





I swear nothing can be easy for this river
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