Big Darby Communities in Accord

Development is a looming threat
Photo © TNC

What is the Big Darby Accord?

From the Accord Web site: Ten jurisdictions in the Big Darby Watershed within Franklin County have resolved to work together cooperatively to develop a multi-jurisdictional plan and accompanying preservation and growth strategies, capable of implementation, oversight and enforcement to preserve and protect the Big Darby Creek and its tributaries.

Those jurisdictions are:

Franklin County

City of Columbus

Washington Township

Pleasant Township

Village of Harrisburg

City of Grove City

To read more about the Accord, visit the Web site.

This Big Darby Creek and its tributaries are a resource for all Ohioans.
Photo © Grahm Jones/Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Nature Conservancy supports the Big Darby Accord

Agreement would be step in the right direction

The Nature Conservancy supports the Big Darby Accord and encourages all participating governments to ratify this agreement immediately to protect clean water along with plant and animal diversity. (Read the Conservancy's testimony before Columbus City Council here, pdf).

We oppose any and all efforts to weaken the agreement. A diluted Accord will not adequately protect the Big and Little Darby Creeks and critical tributaries like Hellbranch Run.

These streams already have been damaged by urban and suburban development and face further destruction unless we act to protect them now.

The Darby Creeks are one of the most biologically rich stream systems in the Midwest, a popular recreation site and a critical source of clean water for the Scioto River, which provides drinking water to thousands of families living downstream. We must take extraordinary steps to protect them. The Accord is an important step in the right direction.

This innovative agreement presents the best opportunity yet to protect this freshwater resource for the people of central Ohio while considering the economy of the region. If the communities in Franklin County abide by this agreement, we might still protect the Darby Creeks from the fate of most other Ohio streams – biological devastation through polluted runoff from buildings, roads and farms.

The Accord covers only 15 percent of the Darby watershed, but the biology of the stream and the population of the county argue in favor of strong conservation leadership by the communities of Franklin County.

Although we support this agreement, we believe it is flawed, and development should proceed slowly, and with adequate and conservative oversight. As we witness the impact of development on the watershed, we expect the Accord will need to be modified.

The Big Darby watershed has a history of community support for protection that dates back more than 35 years. It would be a shame to let any more time pass before we commit to permanently protect this resource. Read more about the Big Darby Accord.

July 31, 2006