04-01-03: ODNR tells Celina, 'No more lake water'

04-01-03: ODNR tells Celina, 'No more lake water'

By SEAN RICE
The Daily Standard

    Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials have asked Celina to do a little more engineering on the impacts of the West Bank before the state agency can approve plans for a concrete boardwalk along the lake.
    Celina Community Development Director Sue Canary is heading up plans to link a concrete walkway from the lighthouse in Celina to the West Bank State Park boat ramp. The plans generated by Celina's engineering department currently are being reviewed by ODNR officials.
    The Ohio Legislature approved as part of the current construction budget $250,000 to go toward building the walkway.
    Canary has applied for grants from the state in hopes to add several hundred thousand dollars to the initial grant from the state. The Celina Rotary Club also has announced its intentions to join in the fund-raising for the project.
    The current plan for the walkway shows an extension of the sidewalk currently along the lake on West Bank to a width similar to the walkway under the lighthouse.
    ODNR officials have indicated they would rather see a walkway built that stands in the water, just off shore. The reason, Celina Safety-Service Director Mike Sovinski said, is the state wants the rip-rap (jagged rocks that line the shore) to remain visible, so weaknesses in the bank could be monitored.
    Sovinski said Monday that ODNR officials asked that soil testing be done on West Bank Road before the phase-one plan is approved. Phase one includes the walkway from the state park boat ramp to the spillway, and phase two extends it from the spillway to the lighthouse. Splitting the project up allows Canary to apply for grants in two consecutive years, Sovinski said.
    It will cost the city about $1,000 to $2,000 to have the impact study completed, Sovinski said.

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