Polk Run Revisited

By Mike A. "Howell" Howell

Address the flooding issues in the Polk Run watershed.

Since 2001 this situation has not improved but has potentially worse. This is something that should have been at the top of the townships "concern list". However, today we find ourselves in a potentially critical position. Continued development, the widening of Montgomery Road and I-71 continue to wear away Symmes permeable green space by adding blacktop and lawns. By not retaining water, slowing it down or allowing it to be absorbed into the ground the water moves in greater volume and speed to areas downstream. The results of this are paid for with erosion, property damage, lower property values, higher insurance premiums, and sometimes death.

Lack of forethought and planning on the townships future development and storm water issues have led us where we are today. If you look at development over the last 10 years little consideration for storm water runoff or retention has been given. Better planning and zoning requirements would require new a development, to put in place measures that would ease any further eroding of this situation.

To start this long term solution we need to start a new permanent committee from the ashes of the old Law and Safety committee and the Neighborhood Watch group. I have addressed this in my first position paper but to summarize, this group would open communication with trustees, residents, police, and the fire department in a township committee would bring about ideas on how to prevent future death while dealing with the more long term project of reducing flooding potential. They would study the problems and make recommendations, pushed to get answers and use the township to implement their ideas. Things today could have been different if a committee of resident's had been formed years ago.

This group of citizens must include input form the surrounding region. The Polk Run watershed fans out into Montgomery, Sycamore, Loveland, and Deerfield. We need the help of these areas before a fix can be implemented. Someone who is willing to work with other communities and ask for assistance is needed.

Eventually this drought will end and rains will come again. Can we gamble that it will not be in quantities equal to or exceeding the record rainfall of 2001? When is it coming, is the only question. I only hope that we are prepared when such tragedy befalls the township.

Michael Howell Camp Dennison Symmes Township