Resident objects to Eldon Ditch work; council approves engineering amendment and to seek Army Corps input

Anthony Haddad, a Sylvania resident, urged the City Council on April 7 to pause the Eldon Ditch watershed project and to delay the city’s request for a jurisdictional determination from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Haddad said the project lacked a clear, publicly communicated long-term purpose and raised concerns about historical and memorial site impacts, including removed or damaged memorial markers and trees in the Memorial Grove.

City staff and council members defended the project’s record and described a multiyear planning process. City staff said the city and its consultant have studied drainage in the area since at least 2015 and submitted preliminary plans to the Army Corps in November; the Corps asked for a formal jurisdictional determination, which Fishbeck (the city’s consultant) will assemble for submittal.

Council considered and approved an emergency ordinance to amend the city’s agreement with Bishpac to add professional engineering services for Eldon Ditch Phase 3 and increase the proposal by $4,378 to perform the jurisdictional determination work. Council member Mr. Hansen introduced the ordinance; the measure passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: City staff said the determination will clarify whether waters in the project area are federally regulated “waters of the United States,” information the city needs to decide project scope and next steps. Haddad said moving the process forward without broader public input risks unnecessary disturbance and taxpayer expense. City staff said they will return to council with the Corps’ response and recommended next steps after the determination is complete.

Next steps: Fishbeck will complete the jurisdictional-determination package and submit it to the Army Corps. Staff estimated the Corps’ review could take several months; staff said they expect a clearer path by fall and will report results to council.