Good luck in fight against ODNR (9/2/03)

First, let us acknowledge that we don't know these guys. We have no idea of the specifics of their situation, the merits of their case, or their chances of getting resolution in the courts.

But we're on their side.

Three Mercer County farmers who have taken the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to court deserve the support of everyone downstream on the Wabash River.

For years, folks from New Corydon and the Geneva area have complained that far too much water is rushing our way after thunderstorms pass through.

So far, however, those complaints have met with deaf ears.

As far as the ODNR has been concerned, the Indiana-Ohio state line has been the equivalent of the Iron Curtain.

Have a problem with too much Ohio storm drainage in the Wabash watershed from coming our way? Tough.

Concerned that changes in policy involving the spillway at the west end of Grand Lake St. Marys are exacerbating flood problems on this side of the border? At best, the answer has been along the lines of, "Trust us."

But trust left the picture long ago.

Our neighbors to the east have been making some decisions over the past several years that appear to have transformed the flood and high water situation in parts of Jay and Adams counties. And simply saying that it's okay and not worth talking about won't cut it anymore.

For Hoosiers downstream from the Ohio decision-makers, there have been few options other than moaning and groaning about the situation.

But our Ohio counterparts — who farm land between the state border and the reservoir — have much more leverage. That's why they've filed suit.

Their argument, in a nutshell, is that changes in where excess water from the lake is dumped have had detrimental effects for western Mercer County and, for that matter, Jay County.

Do they have a case? From here, it looks as if they do.

After all, the lake was constructed in connection with the great canal building era. Its extra water was always supposed to drain to the east.

Only with the addition of the new spillway at the west end of the lake has it been coming our way. And the tendency for flooding — not good in the first place — has been worsened.

So, here we are, not being able to influence Ohio officials, not having a voice in the trial which will come before an Ohio court.

All we can do is wish the plaintiffs well, let them know we believe their cause is just, and cross our fingers.

We hope that will prove to be enough. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]