Residents, trustees warn of risks from Levisburg Dam removal; commissioners to seek EPA assurances

Warren Township residents and trustees told the Trumbull County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 6 that the planned removal of the Levisburg Dam could cause road failures, public-health hazards and costly remediation — and they asked the commissioners to press state regulators for written assurances about liability and funding.

The exchange came during a prolonged public-comment period dominated by objections to MetroParks' decision to accept a contractor27s request that MetroParks "accept any elevated risk" during dam removal. "This request was made by a contractor who had already been involved with the disaster near New Philadelphia when they removed the dam," said K. Wilson, a Warren Township trustee, describing the contractor27s previous project and the local concern that Trumbull County taxpayers could shoulder costs if infrastructure fails.

Speakers said they had tried appeals in court and been denied hearings, and they cited a 2006 Army Corps of Engineers study they said recommended no action for Levisburg. "We have residents that ended up on oxygen and they died," a resident said, urging the commissioners to act now to avoid public-health harms from exposed or disturbed sediment.

County Prosecutor Bill Danso told the commissioners that, based on the materials available at the meeting, liability concerns were largely speculative. "Right now, that is entirely speculative. We don't know what the risk is. We don't know what they signed. We don't know what could happen," Danso said, urging the board to obtain the contracts and documentation before filing legal action.

Commissioners discussed the limits of their authority over MetroParks, which is an independent park district that the county funds in part. Commissioners said they will ask the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for clarification of funding and legal arrangements and request any contract language showing MetroParks27 assumption of risk. "We'll get the letter out to EPA and see if we can get a response," a commissioner said during the meeting.

Resident speakers suggested several steps: securing bonds or insurance that would make the contractor or MetroParks financially responsible for any damage; requiring MetroParks to produce the contract language authorizing assumption of elevated risk; and asking state legislators and federal elected officials to intervene. Warren Township representatives also urged the commissioners to press for a meeting with the regional Ohio EPA director to review alternatives to full dam removal.

The commissioners did not vote on any action to halt MetroParks' work. Instead, they asked staff to draft a letter to the Ohio EPA documenting county concerns, and directed county counsel to review whether the county can pursue legal remedies if damage occurs. The prosecutor advised that any formal legal challenge would require specific, provable damages and that suing a public entity with no funds would limit recovery.

The public-comment segment included requests that the commissioners demand proof of insurance or bonds and that MetroParks consider alternatives such as the "ripple rock" approach mentioned by residents. Commissioners acknowledged the depth of local opposition and the history of unsuccessful appeals but emphasized the need for documentary evidence before pursuing litigation.

The County said it would seek written confirmation from Ohio EPA and share that response with townships and residents who raised concerns during the meeting.