COLUMBUS, Ohio - Supporters of a plan to remove the Leavittsburg Dam have scored a victory after a local challenge was dismissed due to a missed deadline. The Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC) ruled Wednesday that the Warren Township Board of Trustees waited too long to file its appeal against the dam's removal.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued a permit in December, granting Trumbull County Metro Parks permission to remove the Leavittsburg Dam. The Warren Township Board of Trustees opposed this decision, citing concerns about potential public health risks from exposed sewage, contamination from riverbed sediments, the stability of a nearby submerged dam, and the loss of recreational boating areas. The township also argued that the EPA had not adequately considered alternatives to dam removal and underestimated potential erosion.

The township attempted to challenge the EPA's decision by filing an appeal on Feb. 7, 2025. However, state regulations require such appeals to be filed within 30 days of the EPA's action. The township's appeal was filed more than 60 days after the permit's approval.

Homeowners along the river have a long list of worries that could happen if the park starts the removal but are most concerned that the water line will go down so far that the several feet deep river will drop to just a few inches.

“Scrub and brush is going to grow along the edges of the river which will create a maintenance nightmare and will also reduce property values,” Julia Shutt, who has waterfront property said. 

Losing the peaceful sights and sounds of the rushing river would also mean the fun times go with it. 

“All the fish are going to die, that's going to break my heart and the animals,” James Hetzler who lives along the water said. “You’re going to get your feet muddy getting in the kayak and you're going to get your feet muddy getting out of the kayak because they're going to be muck everywhere.”

Because the appeal was not filed within the required timeframe, ERAC dismissed the case, allowing Trumbull County Metro Parks to proceed with the dam removal. The Warren Township Board of Trustees still has the option to appeal ERAC's decision to a higher court in Ohio.

ERAC acknowledged that the EPA's permit approval was a final decision open to appeal. However, the commission found that the township failed to meet the mandatory 30-day filing deadline. While the township contended that the deadline should not apply because the EPA did not publish notice of the approval in a local newspaper, ERAC countered that the EPA regularly posts such approvals online. The commission also noted that the township appeared to have been aware of the dam removal plans since at least August 2024 and had contacted ERAC staff about a potential appeal as early as Jan. 9, 2025.

All three trustees did not respond to our request for comment on if any other steps will be taken to try and stop the removal but residents said they want to continue the fight.

“I think this property is worth it, my investment is worth it and everyone's health in this area is worth it and also the environment is worth it,” Shutt said. 

“We’re going to all be pretty sad. It looks like it is going to happen, we sure don't want it to,” Hetzler said.

Those in favor of removing the dam cite drowning hazards, and adding the removal would enhance biological diversity in the Mahoning River.

21 News reached out to the Trumbull County Metro Parks asking if and when work could start up again but did not get a response.