All across Ohio, dams are getting attention.

The Mahoning River. Dams and years of toxicity following the mass mill exodus of the 1980s had made this river toxic. Image obtained from The Business Journal.²

A dam is a manmade or animal-made structure that alters the flow or level of water. Often dams are used for a human purpose: to gather electrical power. Recently, however, dams have been doing much more and effecting humans, wildlife and habitats in different ways. These ways, as scientists and researchers are beginning to discover, are for the worse. New dams could be different story, but older dams are continuing to cause more and more trouble.

However, there is hope. Dam removal may be the key to environmental success in a certain Ohio river

This river runs through my own hometown, Niles, Ohio. The river: The Mahoning River. It stretches through Warren all the way to New Castle, Pennsylvania and runs 113 miles.²

Journalist Dan O’Brien of Youngstown’s The Business Journal investigated the river’s history.² He describes in his article, “…dominated by steel interests… Once those mills fell silent during the late 1970s and 1980s, the environmental damage left behind was staggering…”.² This environmental damage has, unfortunately, become a characteristic of the river and is devastating to the community.

As a resident, I know this is true. My family and all the others in the community were and still are unable to enjoy a true, healthy river. My mom would always say, “Oh honey, we can’t swim there…that river is disgusting!”. Decades of contamination and toxification have made it unfit for human usage.

But how?

Well, it’s actually a perfect storm. The mills’ toxic wastes, including an estimated daily 400,000 pounds of suspended solids, 70,000 pounds of oil and grease, 9,000 pounds of ammonia-nitrogen, 500 pounds of cyanide, 600 pounds of phenols, and 800 pounds of zinc, all combined with the river dams’ improper and restricted effects on water flow have turned what could be a natural beauty into the tri-county health hazard.²

How will the communities fix such a problem?

The first step, according to O’Brien, is the dam removal. He proclaims,” Removal of [the Lowellville Dam] and eight others along the Mahoning River are the most critical and costly components to cleaning the waterway. The Lowellville project could cost about $2.3 million”.²

O’Brian also cites the return of flowing water as a natural method of removing toxins, stating, “it restores a free-flowing river that would reinvigorate the natural habitat, inviting fish, avian and other aquatic species back to the waterway”. ²

The Mahoning River is seeing some improvement after decades of water toxicity, however, the president and CEO of the Warren/Youngstown Regional Chamber, James Dignan, traveled to Washington D.C. on June 20^th of this year to fight for more funding on behalf of the river clean up and dam removal. ²

The Mahoning River however, is just one Ohio river that will hopefully benefit from the removal of a dangerous dam.

The removal of the Gorge Dam on the Cuyahoga River should also help the habitat and human safety.¹

This removal, which would affect mainly the lands and waters between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, will also bring health to its whole river system.¹ As of March 9^th 2016, the dam removal approval was made public and is scheduled to take place in 2019.¹ As significant as the removal of Mahoning River dams, the Gorge Dam removal is predicted to contribute to the clean-up of 43 contaminated spots throughout the Great Lakes, according to the Ohio EPA. ¹

The Gorge Dam along the Cuyahoga River. This dam is set up for removal. Image obtained from the Akron Beacon Journal.¹

However, there is one challenge to be faced before this dam is destroyed. According to Bob Downing’s article in the Akron Beacon Journal, Bill Zawiski of the Ohio EPA claims that the removal of sediments – “830,000 cubic yards, enough to fill the old Akron Rubber Bowl from floor to top four times” – must be removed before the dam can be destroyed.¹ The build-up these sediments is almost undoubtedly caused be the dam itself. Plans for sediment removal are still tentative, but the overall process of removing this dam will continue through a collaboration of state and federal efforts.

Likewise, another Ohio river will be subject to a dam removal, and for a more unique reason.

The Tait Station Low Dam on the Great Miami River. This dam is also scheduled for removal. Image obtained from the Dayton Daily News.³ Photograph by Chris Stewart.³

The Tait Station Low Dam on the Great Miami River in southwestern Ohio is also getting removed mainly due to the danger it poses for aquatic recreation.³ In Chris Stewart’s Dayton Daily News article, Sarah Hippensteel of the Miami Conservancy District (MCD) states,” “Removing Tait Station Low Dam is a real positive for the paddling community… Boaters can be trapped at low dams and drown. Now, people will be able to more safely enjoy this section of the river.”³ This dam removal is predicted to cost $1.75 million, which is actually smaller compared to other dam removals ($12.5 million for the Cuyahoga Gorge Dam¹).³ Stewart notes that while the dam is low, it’s removal “should also improve habitat for fish, insects and birds along the river”.³ The removal of this dam is expected to have a great impact of both humans and both the local terrestrial and aquatic life. Boaters in the Dayton will finally be able to enjoy their river without fear while also assisting local fisheries and wildlife!

As anyone can now see, the dangers of dams can be vast. While harming fisheries and wildlife, they can also be a major danger to human health and wellbeing. It should come as no surprise if dam removals along Ohio rivers and watersheds become increasingly frequent.

¹ Downing, Bob. “Gorge Dam Removal on Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls Is Moving Forward with Federal Blessing.” Www.ohio.com, Akron Beacon Journal, 9 Mar. 2016, www.ohio.com/akron/news/gorge-dam-removal-on-cuyahoga-river-between-akron-and-cuyahoga-falls-is-moving-forward-with-federal-blessing.

² O’Brien, Dan. “Mahoning River Slowly Scrubs Its Contaminant.” Business Journal Daily, The Business Journal , 8 June 2018, businessjournaldaily.com/mahoning-river-reclaims-past-life/.

³ Stewart, Chris. “A Dam Removal Is the Latest Project to Make the Great Miami River Safer: What’s Really Going on?” My Dayton Daily News, Dayton Daily News, 30 May 2018, www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/dam-removal-the-latest-project-make-the-great-miami-river-safer-what-really-going/uxuWpVt46nLiFUvWGXCf7H/.

Lynx Rufus continues to rebound in Ohio.¹ But is it time to trap? Image obtained from Dayton Daily News by Jim Morris.⁴ Original photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images.

Bobcats! Or, Lynx Rufus, if you will, are native to the southern and eastern portions of Ohio.³ They are amazing creatures to witness in person. But, do not be fooled! These fuzzy creatures are fearsome predators, preying on any local squirrels and dear.³ And recently, these predators have been getting a lot of attention from Ohio wildlife connoisseurs…most specifically, The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division (DOW) and its Wildlife Council.

In mid-April of this year, this group proposed a tentative plan to once again trap bobcat.^1,2,4 Removed from Ohio’s endangered species list in 2014, bobcats have made a slow yet promising comeback to the Buckeye state.⁴ During the 19^th century, bobcats were considered to be completely removed from Ohio, so anyone can see the improvement made in population levels if they are being considered to once again be trapped!^1,4 The causes for this increase in population are still being debated. According to Jane Beathard from the Madison Press, some believe the rise is due in part to an increase in available shelter from fallen woodlands caused by areas cleared for fossil fuel extraction.¹ However, Jim Morris from Dayton Daily News, attributes the growth to a suspected mass migration from the Pennsylvania.⁴ Regardless, the bobcat continues to return in growing numbers.

However, is this increase happening at a rate where they can be trapped? This seems to the looming question.

The DOW Council meeting proposed that they are indeed returning at such a rate.¹ The DOW’s plan proposed a bobcat trapping area specific to Ohio counties using “zones”. According to Beathard, a “Zone B” consisting of twelve southeastern counties would have a quota of 20 bobcats.¹  “Zone C”, consisting of an additional eleven southern counties would have a quota of 40 bobcats!¹ Both zones would have a limit of one bobcat per trapper.¹ That would be a lot of dead bobcats by the time the season reached its end!

To act as a basis for the meeting, the DOW listened to the findings of one Wildlife biologist, Mike Reynolds, who presented bobcat data and research.¹

Correct ecological data on the bobcat in the Ohio regions is necessary. Reynolds intends to assist in the endeavor. Original image by and obtained from Jane Beathard of the Madison Press.¹

The group also heard the opinions of many constituents, both for and against this proposed trapping season.

The DOW heard the plea of many wanting to dismiss the proposal; these people being part of the “Save Ohio Bobcats” campaign. One member, a pediatrician named Dr. Jeff Crecelius, spoke on behalf of the group proclaiming the sensitivity of the bobcat population and the dangers of trapping them currently even in a protected manner.¹ Other members mentioned the value of the bobcat as a predator and questioned the data that made such a proposal even possible.¹

However, Dave Linkhart from the National Trappers Association attempted to calm the nerves of conservationists by assuring them a small trapping season would not affect bobcat population levels greatly.¹

The group was set to make a decision on this important matter the following month and on May 17^th a decision was made…

The DOW Wildlife Council voted AGAINST the proposed trapping season with a vote of 6-1.³

This vote was determined on an “indefinite” basis. Meaning: Ohioans are unable to legally trap until further notice.³

But how was this decision reached?

Well, no official statement has been made.

Logo of ODNR Division of Wildlife. Obtained From the ODNR Division of Wildlife.⁵

However, it is quite obvious that the DOW was and continues to receive significant pressure from anti-hunting and anti-trapping groups. After all, Mike Reynolds noted in his presentation to the Council that 48% of respondents in an online vote voted against the proposed bobcat trapping season.¹

Morris of Dayton Daily News interviewed one important advocate against the proposed season: Kitty Block. Ms. Block is currently the acting president of the Humane Society of the United States. She was quoted saying, “It’s high-time that state wildlife agencies stop catering to the wishes of trophy hunters and trappers and acknowledge the wishes of the general public that values wildlife alive and flourishing.”⁴

Clearly, her words indicate she stands against the trapping of bobcats and in support of animal life and protection.

Another spokesperson from the Humane Society, Corey Roscoe, also stands against the move.

Roscoe defends,” “Bobcats were only removed from Ohio’s endangered and threatened species list less than four years ago, so this proposal seems premature given that the full population study of bobcats has not been concluded yet”.²

Roscoe also states that public comments and emails show that citizens of Ohio are extremely against this proposed trapping plan, so the decision should come with little surprise.²

However, you may be asking: Why is this important? What is the significance of this conflict?

Well, bobcats are an important species in Ohio forest habitats! They kill white footed mice – these creatures being major carriers of Lyme disease.¹ At the top of many food chains, this cat serves a great purpose by regulating forest animal populations.³

Also, several comparisons may be drawn between the bobcat conflict and the grey wolf conflict in the Yellowstone regions.

The grey wolf conflict in Yellowstone has become a symbol the modern wildlife management conflict: the conflict drawing from human and natural dimensions.

The anthropogenic side of that conflict is the hunting of the grey wolf, much like trapping the bobcat here in Ohio. Many citizens in Yellowstone want to hunt it to protect cattle and ranching: the main source of their income. Granted, the conflict with the bobcats is not necessarily as severe. However, all conflicts can escalate.

In both circumstances, conservation efforts are working to reduce hunting and trapping.

The future of this beautiful, elusive creature remains unclear. Image obtained from IUCN Red List.³ Original photo by Michael L. Baird.

For now, the future of bobcat trapping remains a mystery. All that is known for sure is that bobcats are safe from legal trapping! The DOW and conservationists continue to protect and study the population trends of this beloved, elusive creature.

¹ Beathard, Jane. “Bobcat Trapping Proposed for Ohio.” Madison Press, Madison Press, 14 Apr. 2018, www.madison-press.com/news/275730/bobcat-trapping-proposed-for-ohio.

² Felan, Mitch. “Ohio Indefinitely Postpones Proposed Bobcat Trapping Season.” WOSU Radio, WOSU, 21 May 2018, radio.wosu.org/post/ohio-indefinitely-postpones-proposed-bobcat-trapping-season#stream/0.

³ Kelly, M., Morin, D. & Lopez-Gonzalez, C.A. 2016. Lynx rufus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/12521/0 . Downloaded on 22 June 2018.

⁴ Morris, Jim. “Outdoors: Ohioans Won’t Be Hunting or Trapping Bobcats Anytime Soon.” My Dayton Daily News, Dayton Daily News, 27 May 2018, www.mydaytondailynews.com/sports/outdoors-ohioans-won-hunting-trapping-bobcats-anytime-soon/3SbDbLu5Xfp4rj0L1BQM4I/.

⁵ Ohio DNR Division of Wildlife. “Ohio.gov / Search.” Ohio DNR Division of Wildlife, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/about-contacts/about-the-division-of-wildlife.