BREAKING: Supreme Court sets September 9 date to hear #StormwaterProgram case
Posted by Jared Shepherd
- 4103 Views
- July 30th, 2014
- in Miscellaneous
- 2 Comments
In a week in which heavy storms flooded and affected many communities in eastern Cleveland suburbs, the Ohio Supreme Court has set a date for hearing oral arguments of a monumental case of regional stormwater management.
The Ohio Supreme Court will hear arguments September 9, in which the Sewer District will present its case that it is authorized to charge a fee and manage problems caused by stormwater runoff across the region.
The fee was expected to collect $35 million per year to address cross-community stream flooding, erosion and maintenance issues until an appeals court ruling suspended the program last September.
Since then, several significant storms have wreaked havoc on local communities while $20 million has sat in escrow while the program is halted.
“It is clear a majority of the Sewer District’s member communities and others understand the significant benefit of the program,” Sewer District Executive Director Julius Ciaccia has stated previously.
“This case…is of great public interest, not just to our region, but to all Ohioans,” said Director of Law Marlene Sundheimer.
Related stories:
Comments ( 2 )
you people always say that the runoff is a hazard and it is a big problem. while you have this money nothing is done, is it a hazard? maybe the people putting fertilizer and chemicals on their property can pay this fee. we are always told but I have not seen a thing with all this so called destruction. this is a tax and. a tax only. sustainable this and that, how about agenda 21 just more control over people and what they can and cannot do. Also getting extra tax to do it. this program is complete garbage!
Thanks for your comment. The main problems the fee was intended to address are flooding, erosion, and maintenance, issues that often cross community boundaries. The communities in our service area have already identified more than $200 million in projects that must be addressed, either individually or regionally.
Yes, polluted runoff is a problem, and this program would have the potential to positively impact our lake and streams as property owners take greater responsibility for runoff on their properties.