Lorain County commissioners approve Foster Ditch improvement, direct project to bid with county covering construction costs

Lorain County commissioners on Wednesday approved proceeding with a plan to clean and reconstruct Foster Ditch in LaGrange Township, ordering the project to be put out for bid and confirming that construction costs will be covered by stormwater-district and grant funds so property owners in the benefit area will not be assessed for the work. The engineer and county stormwater staff said the project is meant to restore drainage for about 1,420 acres of farmland and rural residences and reduce local flooding.

Engineers from K. McCartney and Associates presented the final report and plans, saying the proposed improvement would clean and shape 1.77 miles of Foster Ditch, remove log jams and sediment, clear access routes, and establish a 50-foot permanent easement for future county maintenance. Alex Salt, a consultant for K. McCartney and Associates, told the commissioners the construction estimate is $1.32 million and that the final report estimates zero damages to properties because no takings or permanent change of land use are proposed.

The work is funded in part by a $320,000 H2Ohio grant and by stormwater-district funds previously earmarked from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations that county staff said were returned to the general fund and reallocated to stormwater. Don Vermanschick of the Lorain County Stormwater District said the district now has revenue sufficient to cover the construction estimate and that, "no assessments for the construction need to be assessed against any of the property owners within the benefit area." He added the board has suspended maintenance-assessment collections in recent years but noted that the decision to collect maintenance assessments is an annual decision of the commissioners.

Residents who spoke at the public hearing raised timing and operational questions. Commissioners and staff said, if the project is approved and proceeds on schedule, contractors could begin mobilizing as early as October, with some work carrying into the following spring. Staff cautioned that tree-clearing and other seasonal work are subject to environmental timing limits and wildlife protections; one commissioner and residents referenced the need to avoid bat-roosting season and noted tree work is typically completed by March 31 where required.

Property owners asked about notification and impacts. Salt said the contractor will be required to notify property owners in advance; staff said the required notice is 48 hours. The county and consultant said no structures are expected to be physically impacted and that bridges identified on plan sheets were marked "do not disturb" where possible. County staff also said if a crossing must be moved, the contractor would lift, move, and reset the crossing and, if damaged, replace it "in kind."

Several speakers asked about handling of trees and removed sediment. Don Vermanschick and county staff said the standard specification requires debris and sediment to be hauled off site, but the county can include provisions in the bid allowing a property owner to accept wood or spoils if the owner arranges a location outside the easement and flood-prone areas and that arrangement is written into the bid specifications.

Residents also raised a separate water-quality concern: apparent sewage or septic effluent entering a culvert near Whitney Road. Vermanschick said the county has attempted to camera the pipe twice but was blocked by an obstruction about 20 feet in; staff are coordinating with the health district and plan further reconnaissance to locate the source.

Formal action at the hearing consisted of a motion to close the hearing followed by a motion to proceed. The board voted to find the improvement necessary, confirm the engineer's assessment area, and order the letting of contracts. The recorded votes on the motions were unanimous among commissioners present (Aye votes recorded for Commissioners Moore, Gallagher and Riddell on the proceeding motion). The county engineer will set a date for bid receipt and move the project to advertisement and contract award.

The Foster Ditch improvement affects Foster Ditch between about 300 feet west of Whitehead Road and the roadside ditch on the north side of Whitney Road and is intended to restore the channel and reduce localized flooding for the identified 1,420-acre benefit area. Next steps are finalizing minor plan changes raised at the hearing, publishing the bid documents, conducting a pre-bid walk where needed, receiving bids, and awarding a construction contract; staff said they expect significant work to occur after fall tree-clearing windows and into the following spring.