Athens council approves USACE Hocking River feasibility study

Athens City Council on Sept. 2 approved an ordinance to authorize the city’s local share for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study of the Hocking River. The ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Swank as Ordinance 78-25, passed after a motion and second and a voice vote.

Supporters said the study will assess whether environmental improvements and public-safety changes are feasible along a stretch of the river, including the area near an existing dam. “This is a study, to look at the feasibility of, possibly returning the Hocking River channel and valley there, to somewhat like it was before the rerouting in 1968,” Councilmember Swank said during third reading, noting environmental conditions have changed since the original rerouting.

City administration and council members cautioned that the measure authorizes a study, not an immediate engineered restoration. Director Stone told council the intent is not to “return it to the previous channel,” and said Ohio University would likely object to any plan that attempted to recreate the exact historical channel. Swank also corrected his phrasing during debate: “I didn't mean we're gonna bring out the bulldozers,” he said.

Ordinance 78-25 completed its third reading and was approved by the council at the Sept. 2 meeting. No engineering work or channel alteration will occur unless subsequent approvals and funding decisions are made following the Corps’ study.

Council members and staff emphasized the limited scope of the current action: it funds a Corps feasibility study to evaluate options, environmental impacts and safety, not to authorize construction or alteration at this time.

The council voted by voice; the mayor declared the motion carried and the ordinance approved.