Land Preservation
One of the best ways to protect our resources is to acquire Floodplains, Lakes, Rivers, Creeks, Streams, Wetlands, Streamside Forests and other High Quality Wildlife Habitat Areas. The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund has allowed us to purchase nearly 1,200-acres of valuable floodplains, wetlands, waterways, and streamside forests. The main recipient of acquired lands has been Trumbull County MetroParks.
The Trumbull County Planning Commission works on land preservation projects to implement our plans for protection, preservation and passive recreational use where appropriate. The Planning Commission recognizes that there are many benefits to encourage the protection of these areas, which include water quality and quantity issues, such as flood control (storm water retention), water filtration, maintaining ecological diversity, and wildlife protection. There are also indirect economic benefits in preserving green areas for recreation.
Preservation of key areas increases the quality of life as well as encourages smarter growth by attracting businesses to locate in less sensitive areas that are near these aesthetically pleasing environments. These types of projects promote a watershed approach to land use planning and smart growth. These areas also provide opportunities for environmental education and passive recreation.
Floodplains, wetlands, streamside forest (riparian) buffers, and open space have all been identified as important areas to protect in several of our studies and plans. There have been significant projects in recent years that further our vision of preserving lands, increasing water quality, and reducing flooding in the County that would provide passive recreation while increasing the aesthetic and ecological value of the area.
Some of the land preservation activity in recent years includes:
- Purchased 84 acres on Mosquito Creek - Clean Ohio Fund 2010
- Purchased 142 acres on Mosquito Creek - Clean Ohio Fund 2008/2009
- Facilitated acquisition of 65.98-acres behind Super Wal-Mart in Bazetta, 2007
- Purchased 136 acres - Mahoning River in Weathersfield - Clean Ohio Fund 2006/07
- Purchased 263 acres -Swine Creek Grand River Watershed - Clean Ohio 2006/07
- Purchased 71.55-acres on the Mahoning River - Clean Ohio Fund 2006/07
- Purchased 99 acres -Coffee Creek Grand River Watershed - Clean Ohio 2006/07
- Removed Dam at North River Road (former CSC) on the Mahoning River, 2005
- Acquired 1/2-acre on Lynwood, at North River Road (former CSC) Dam on
- Mahoning River, September 2005
- Removed Dam at Lover’s Lane on the Mahoning River, June 2005
- Purchase of 12.5-acres on the Mahoning River in Braceville - Clean Ohio Fund 2005
- Purchase of 100.5-acres on Mosquito Creek - Clean Ohio Fund 2004
- Purchase of 135.43-acres on Mosquito Creek - Clean Ohio Fund 2003
- Assisted application to purchase 119.6-acres in the Howland Wildlife Preserve –
- Clean Ohio Fund 2002
Mosquito Creek Boardwalk Trail
This land acquisition and preservation project was constructed in 2008. The Boardwalk Trail is the first of its kind in Trumbull County. The Mosquito Creek Boardwalk connects Howland Township Park from its south-westernmost corner, and continues southwest across an open water area to the 100.5-acres of Mosquito Creek Floodplain that was purchased in 2004 through the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program. The project was successful due to the cooperation of the landowner and a partnership of the Mahoning River Consortium, Howland Township (owner of Boardwalk and land), and the Trumbull County Planning Commission.
For more information contact:
Trish Nuskievicz, Executive Director
Trumbull County Planning Commission
347 N. Park Avenue, Warren, Ohio 44481
(330) 675-2480, fax: (330) 675-2790
PCNuskie@co.trumbull.oh.us
Useful Maps and Information
Related Links
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
United States Army Corps of Engineers – Pittsburgh District
Ohio Department of Natural Resources