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Lucas County approves petition to move forward on Big Coulee Ditch improvement with H2Ohio grant
Summary
After a final hearing, the Lucas County Commissioners approved petition 1095 to place the Big Coulee Ditch Improvement Project under a maintenance petition so the county can solicit bids and proceed with a $900,000 H2Ohio-funded design and construction plan; the board voted unanimously to approve.
The Lucas County Commissioners voted to affirm findings and order solicitation of competitive bids for the Big Coulee Ditch Improvement Project (petition 1095) after a final hearing on March 31, 2026.
Engineer Panuski told the board the project grew from a partnership with Jerusalem Township trustees and was selected for a Department of Agriculture H2Ohio grant to cover design and construction. "We got it for $900,000," Panuski said, noting that amount was below the engineer's estimate. He said H2Ohio-funded projects must be placed under petition to ensure permanent maintenance.
Panuski described a "self-forming" ditch approach intended to reduce long-term maintenance: the channel is reshaped to allow the stream to establish its own two-stage form over time and native grasses will be planted to stabilize the benches. He said the project has a 30-year benefit-cost ratio of 6.3, above the code minimum of 1, and cited Ohio Revised Code requirements related to ditch improvements.
During public comment, resident Steve Leghetti urged the county to start repairs at the opposite end of the ditch, saying some bridges and private changes have obstructed flow and that in 2024 water ponded for several days in the area he described. "I'm all in favor of cleaning this ditch. It needs it bad, but you should start from the other end," Leghetti said. Panuski acknowledged bridge obstructions and said staff are coordinating with township trustees to address driveway tiles and other obstructions.
The boards vote on the motion to "affirm the finding for the improvement, confirm the schedule of benefits and damages, order the establishment of a ditch maintenance fund and solicit competitive bids for the Big Coulee Ditch Improvement (petition 1095)" was called by the clerk; the record shows Commissioner Cebecchi, Commissioner Gerken and Commissioner Lopez voting yes and the chair closed the hearing. Panuski said the county expects to go out to bid for construction "probably after harvest sometime this winter." He also said the grant will pay design and construction costs and that property owners will not be assessed for design or construction.
Next steps are formal solicitation of competitive bids and continued coordination with Jerusalem Township trustees on details such as driveway tile connections and any bridge obstructions noted by residents.
