Middletown, Ohio, April 18, 2024 – The Miami Conservancy District is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $4 million grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP) in partnership with the City of Middletown. The project will address ongoing erosion of Great Miami riverbanks is creating severe soil and land loss and cutting dangerously close to the City of Middletown’s wastewater treatment plant, and the adjacent Miami Conservancy District levee that helps to keep the area safe from floodwaters.
The project location spans 3,000 linear feet of the Great Miami River in northern Butler County and represents a crucial step towards improving water quality and stabilizing eroding banks threatening critical infrastructure.
"Over the last several decades, levees and dams have worked harder because of increased rainfall. Coupled with the age of the system, the infrastructure could degrade at a faster rate if left unaddressed” said MaryLynn Lodor, General Manager of the Miami Conservancy District.
To address priorities, the Miami Conservancy District is seeking numerous state and federal grants. The WRRSP grant is the latest one awarded.
“We are committed to improving the resilience of our communities, our local waterways, and the Miami Conservancy District infrastructure along the river”, said Lodor. "This award will help reduce the local burden of maintenance and capital assessments on communities. We will seek additional grants and find innovative ways to reinvest in the critical flood protection infrastructure that protects over $10 billion of private property along the Great Miami River and its tributaries."
Key elements of the project design will mitigate erosion and create diverse aquatic habitat, effectively curbing bank undercutting while providing essential habitat for fish and macroinvertebrates. By employing a comprehensive approach centered on natural channel design principles, the project aims to improve water quality, restore aquatic habitat, and bolster aquatic populations.
This project will protect critical infrastructure that protects the City of Middletown and helps prevent a failure of the levee that keeps the community safe from dangerous floodwaters.
The project is slated to commence in 2024 and take several years to complete. Throughout the duration of the project, Miami Conservancy District will engage with local communities and stakeholders to ensure transparency and maximize the project's positive impact on the region. Pre- and post-project monitoring will be conducted to evaluate habitat and biological data, providing critical insights into the project's impact on the Great Miami River ecosystem.
About Miami Conservancy District
The Miami Conservancy District is a regional watershed management agency dedicated to flood protection, water quality improvement, and ecological restoration in the Great Miami River watershed. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative initiatives, Miami Conservancy District strives to safeguard the health and resilience of the region's water resources for present and future generations. The Miami Conservancy District protects both public and private property along the river, including over 47,000 parcels throughout the region.
About Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP)
The Ohio EPA's WRRSP provides funding and technical assistance to support projects aimed at restoring and protecting Ohio's water resources. By partnering with local communities, organizations, and agencies, WRRSP plays a vital role in advancing watershed restoration efforts across the state.
