State and Federal Contacts Regarding Lowhead Dams
Federal Agencies
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE)
Federal permits may be are required for the removal of dams. Contact the Regulatory Branch in the appropriate Corps of Engineers District to determine if a permit is necessary and for further information regarding permit requirements. http://www.usace.army.mil/
Curt Meeder, Chief of Planning
Department of the Army, Pittsburgh District Corps of Engineers
William S. Moorhead Federal Building
1000 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 395-7206
David Romano, Chief of Planning
Department of the Army, Buffalo District Corps of Engineers
1776 Niagra Street, Buffalo, NY 14207
Phone: (716) 879-4119
Peter Dodgion, Chief Plan Formulation
Department of the Army, Huntington District Corps of Engineers
502 8th Street, Huntington, West Virginia 25701
(304) 399-5873
Sharon Bond, Chief of Planning
Department of the Army, Louisville District Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 59, Louisville, Kentucky 40201
(502) 315-6857
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
If permits are required for the removal of a dam, the individuals listed below are the first point of contact after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
State Agencies
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Geological Survey
The Division of Geological Survey maps the physical characteristics of various rivers to get a better understanding of the stream morphology, water quality, fish habitat, and substrate materials.
Mike Angle, Supervisor
Geologic Mapping Program
ODNR, Division of Geologic Survey
2045 Morse Road, Bldg. C-1
Columbus, OH 43229-6693
614-265-6602
mike.angle@dnr.state.oh.us
Division of Engineering
The Division of Engineering’s Environmental Services Program oversees and coordinates the environmental review process for proposed projects.
Brian Mitch, Manager
Environmental Services
ODNR, Division of Engineering
2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. C-4
Columbus, OH 43229-6693
(614) 265-6344
brian.mitch@dnr.state.oh.us
Division of Soil & Water Resources
The Division of Soil and Water Resources works with other ODNR divisions pursuant to Section 319 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Program, administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, to provide funding for a Watershed Grants Program. Dam removal is an important component of the program.
Blaine Gerdes, Environmental Review Coordinator
Stream Morphology & Stormwater Program
ODNR, Division of Soil & Water Resources
2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. B-3
Columbus, OH 43229-6693
(614) 265-6938
blaine.gerdes@dnr.state.oh.us
There are currently 43 watershed coordinators working with Ohio communities to develop watershed plans. The goal of the watershed plan is restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of stream segments within the watershed. Watershed groups may also address issues of local concern. A complete list of the watershed coordinators is available by clicking on following website: http://ohiowatersheds.osu.edu/groups/.
The Division of Soil & Water Resources is also in charge of dam safety regulation, for the protection of downstream people and property. Approved plans may be required for the removal of dams.
Keith Banachowski, Program Manager
Dam Safety Program
ODNR, Division of Soil & Water Resources
2045 Morse Road, Bldg. B
Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693
(614) 265-6738
keith.banachowski@dnr.state.oh.us
Division of Watercraft
The Division of Watercraft is responsible for boating safety, education, and law enforcement on all waters of the state, and is interested in the removal of lowhead dams that are hazards to navigation.
Cindy Bellar, Manager
Public Information & Education
ODNR, Division of Watercraft
2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. A-2
Columbus, OH 43229-6693
(614) 265-6504
cindy.bellar@dnr.state.oh.us
The Division of Watercraft is also actively involved in the removal of dams on state wild and scenic rivers. Benefits of dam removal include improved water quality, fish habitat and recreational opportunities. ODNR has the authority to approve or disapprove all publicly funded projects on designated scenic rivers outside municipal corporation limits.
Bob Gable, Manager
Scenic River Services Program
ODNR, Division of Watercraft
2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. A
Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693
(614) 265-6814
bob.gable@dnr.state.oh.us
Division of Wildlife
The Division of Wildlife is actively involved in the dam removal process as a viable alternative to improve water quality and fish habitat.
John Navarro, Administrator
Stream Conservation & Environmental Assessment Program
ODNR-Division of Wildlife
2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. G-3 Columbus, OH 43229-6693
(614) 265-6346
john.navarro@dnr.state.oh.us
Wildlife Field Offices (Click here for a map of the districts.)
District 1
1500 Dublin Road
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 644-3925
FAX (614) 644-3931
District 2
952 Lima Avenue
Findlay, Ohio 45840
Phone: (419) 424-5000
FAX (419) 422-4875
District 3
912 Portage Lakes Drive
Akron, Ohio 44319
Phone: (330) 644-2293
FAX (330) 644-8403
District 4
360 E. State Street
Athens, Ohio 45701
Phone: (740) 589-9930
FAX (740) 589-9999
District 5
1076 Old Springfield Pike
Xenia, Ohio 45385
Phone: (937) 372-9261
FAX (937) 376-3011
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Division of Surface Water
The Division of Surface Water is responsible for restoring and maintaining the quality of Ohio's rivers and streams. The goal of Ohio's surface water program, restoration and maintenance of Ohio's water resources, reflects the national water quality objective as contained in the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA).
Randy Bournique, Administrator
401 Water Quality Certification & Wetland Program
Ohio EPA-Division of Surface Water
122 S. Front St
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 644-2013
randy.bournique@epa.state.oh.us
Ohio Department of Transportation
Office of Environmental Services
ODOT is a potential funding source for the removal of dams in Ohio.
Tim Hill, Administrator
Office of Environmental Services
ODOT, Office of Environmental Services
1980 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43223
(614) 466-7100
Other Contacts
Ohio Historic Preservation Office
Mark J. Epstein, Dept. Head, Resource Protection and Review
David Snyder, Archaeology Reviews Manager
Ohio Historic Preservation Office
567 East Hudson Street
Columbus, Ohio 43211-1030
(614) 298-2000
Fax: 614/298-203
dsnyder@ohiohistory.org
Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS)
Before any dam removal activities take place, individuals, groups or governmental entities should contact the Ohio Utilities Protection Service and ask for a site inspection to see if any underground utilities area buried in the area.
Ohio Utilities Protection Service
4750 Belmont Avenue
Youngstown, OH 44505
(800) 362-2764
http://www.oups.org/
When contemplating a dam removal project, one of the first calls should be to the County Engineer to enlist his help. You can access the name and telephone number for each county engineer by clicking on their website.
Floodplain Administrators
Before any work in the floodplain or floodway is started, you need to contact the local Floodplain Administrator and get his approval. You can access the name and telephone number of your Floodplain Administrator by clicking on their website.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/water/floodpln/communitylist.pdf
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