The below correction was made on Nov. 14, 2024 at 11:05 a.m.
Correction: The City of Columbus starting the process to revisit and possibly revise the Big Darby Accord was not triggered by the request for additional sewer taps by Hilliard.
The Big Darby Accord Plan is approaching its 20th anniversary, but changes may also be on the way.
The Accord was adopted in 2006 to protect the Big Darby Creek and the surrounding watershed. Since the plan's inception, Big Darby Creek has become one of the most biologically-diverse aquatic ecosystems in the midwest.
Part of the Accord limits the city and suburbs on how much development can occur within the watershed. However, there has recently been some interest in revisiting and possibly revising the Accord.
In September, Hilliard requested additional water and sewer taps for new housing units within the watershed boundaries. Hilliard was originally allotted 2,000 taps, but has since used all of them. The city has requested an additional 1,300 taps, which would be a 65% increase.
This request by Hilliard has come at a time when the city of Columbus has started the process of revisiting and possibly revising the Accord.
This request has made environmentalist group The Darby Creek Association wary. The organization is making calls out of caution.
“The Big Darby is known for being well beyond the basic levels of attainment or just meeting the minimum of the Clean Water Act,” said Anthony Sasson, a former ecologist and member of The Darby Creek Association. “It's been the leading and best scoring stream in the state of Ohio, and also it's well known for its rare species and we don't want to lose any more.”
Sasson also explained that the current data that’s available needs to be updated before any major decisions are made. “I think it's important to go slow on this review for the Big Darby Accord, because rushing into it would be a mistake. And it's important to use new science. Look at that carefully and objectively and not push something through that we really are just making assumptions about.”
Bryan Clark, Columbus Deputy Director for Regional Growth Strategies, said in a statement to WOSU that the city is in the early stages of considering strategic updates to the Accord, and is committed to protecting the watershed.
There's been no decision about the requested additional taps for Hilliard.