Appalachia Ohio Alliance volunteers Al Altsflatter and Susan Clay asked the Hocking County commissioners Sept. 4 for a letter of support for a Clean Ohio grant application to acquire about 36 acres at the headwaters of Laurel Run.

Altsflatter, who identified himself as a volunteer and treasurer (and past president) of Appalachia Ohio Alliance, said the parcel on State Route 180 includes forested land and "a couple structures" including a historically built sandstone-block building that the group intends to preserve. He told commissioners the property sits at the headwaters of Laurel Run, which flows into Salt Creek near Laurelville and then into larger local watersheds; he said Clean Ohio scores applications higher when there are threatened species or water-quality protections involved.

Altsflatter said the organization seeks the county's written support for the competitive Clean Ohio application, and that the group would not request a property tax exemption for this parcel. He said the two tax parcels together carry an annual tax bill of about "$6,200 a year," and the alliance expects rental income from a structure on the site to cover taxes and upkeep. Commissioners and members of the public asked a series of clarifying questions about long-term tax responsibilities and whether a 501(c)(3) owner might later seek an exemption.

Commissioners and staff said they would research whether a formal agreement could be recorded so the nonprofit remains responsible for taxes if the group later seeks tax-exempt status. One commissioner told Altsflatter: "I just sent a note to Chris to say, is there an agreement out there that we could copy and and use for that?" Members of the public urged caution, noting that if a nonprofit later ceased paying taxes the county's tax base could be affected; other residents voiced support for the land purchase as conservation and a local rental opportunity.

Laurel Township trustees earlier provided their written approval for the project, Altsflatter told the commissioners. The board did not vote Sept. 4 on the requested letter of support; commissioners said they would "do some research and be in touch" with the applicants and that staff would follow up on a template agreement or other protections before issuing a formal support letter.

No Clean Ohio grant award or purchase agreement was presented Sept. 4; the item on this date was a request for a support letter to accompany the alliance's competitive application.