Akron EPA Administrator Wheeler Visits Northeast Ohio

Press release from the City of Akron:

July 21, 2020

Akron, Ohio (July 21, 2020) — Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler concluded a visit to northeast Ohio where he announced a $1 million GRLI grant to the City of Akron for the Gorge Dam removal project and toured sites in the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

Administrator Wheeler began his day touring the Gorge Dam in Akron, Ohio where he announced a GLRI grant of $1,045,000 to the City of Akron for the development of a design plan for the eventual removal of the Gorge Dam, located on the Cuyahoga River. The design is a step toward the eventual removal of the dam which will restore the dam pool area behind it - a major source of water quality impairments to the upper section of the Cuyahoga River. This is a significant step towards restoring the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern.

“Today’s announcement represents another significant step in our larger goal of restoring the Cuyahoga River,” said Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson. “A free flowing river, unimpeded by dams, is a healthier river. This is great news for the region and the entire State of Ohio.”

“The removal of the Gorge Dam will restore the natural flow of the Cuyahoga River, improve the environment, expand recreational opportunities, and can be enjoyed every day of the year. This approach is far superior to spending $66 million to treat 2-3 possible overflows that only happen during an extremely heavy rainfall. We appreciate the EPA’s vision and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant that will bring us one step closer to making this a reality,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. “I want to thank all our partners and stakeholders in this project, including Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters and the Summit Metro Parks, who have helped make this important step possible.”

A virtual press conference was held regarding the announcement, and is available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlUtEBU-718&t=29s.

For further information, contact:
EPA Contact: Jeff Kelley
Director, External Communications Office
E-mail: kelley.jeff@epa.gov

This press release was produced by the City of Akron. The views expressed here are the author’s own.