Infused with approximately $322.6 million the Ohio Department of Natural Resources can begin the long process of infrastructural upgrades, improvements and construction that were falling way behind in necessary course correction.
The monies are earmarked in the legislatively-gubernatorially approved biannual Capital Improvements Budget.
For the Natural Resources Department, direct outlays are found on pages 153 through 155 in a document provided by Ohio’s Legislative Services Commission.
Sarah Wickham – the Natural Resources Department’s chief of communications – also says that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s across-the-board budget cuts did not impact any of the approved capital improvement budget expenditure appropriations.
For the Natural Resources Department’s share of the budget, the document contains 13 topics ranging from a low of $1 million for improvements and upgrades at the agency’s hugely popular Ohio State Fairgrounds area in Columbus to a near catch-all $81 million for work to be done at state parks.
The laundry list is extensive too. Among the items: Maintaining compliance with EPA permitting requirements to upgrade water and wastewater facilities at various locations, “such as Pymatuning, Dillion, West Branch, and Punderson State Parks,” Wickham points out in requested remarks.
Addressing structural and mechanical issues - such as heating/air-conditioning and electrical - at Mohican, Salt Fork, and Hueston Woods State Park Lodges, are necessary also, Wickham said.
“These projects are essential to keep our lodges warm, safe, and dry, while also reducing the ongoing maintenance and utility costs,” she said in her comments.
Not lost, either, is the need to add more full-service campsites along with park renovations to various parks’ restrooms and paving work.
“In order to meet the huge increase in demand for camping opportunities, we will be expanding and upgrading to more full hook-up sites at locations such as Kiser, Barkcamp, and Shawnee State Parks,” Wickham said.
“The increased use of campers and recreational vehicles also requires us to upgrade electrical infrastructure at our campgrounds. We will continue cabin renovations to meet customer demand at locations such as Lake Hope State Park.”
Other topics cover the Natural Resources Department’s wide ranging field of activities. Among them are purchasing various types of necessary equipment for Forestry ($1.4 Million), and helping with the state’s “Healthy Lake Erie Initiative ($2 million).
Also, the budget will provide for the assessment and improvements to Natural Resources-owned dams and locks along the Muskingum River ($13.4 million).
“The Muskingum Locks and Dams project will address interim risk reduction measures to bring the dams into compliance with Ohio dam safety laws and rules and preserve the historic value,” Wickham said.
Other essential work is slated for building and telephone improvements to the agency’s Fountain Square headquarters in Columbus ($4 million), and $4.9 million for renovations at various Natural Resources Department facilities such as at Magee Marsh, the Chillicothe Forestry District Office, and Blackhand Gorge.
“Continuing a project to replace the HVAC system at our (Fountain Square) offices on Morse Road, which are original to the buildings,” Wickham said.
Likewise, “protecting the essential ecosystem and habitat at Magee Marsh, where the embankment is eroding threatening the wetland system,” is essential as well, Wickman continued.
- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net
JFrischk4@gmail.com
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