The Nature Conservancy Supports the Big Darby Accord

Innovative agreement provides best opportunity for protecting Big Darby watershed

Dublin, Ohio— 21 November 2006—Franklin County commissioners recently voted to adopt the Big Darby Accord, becoming the the sixth out of a possible ten jurisdictions to do so.

“We’re urging all participating governments to ratify this agreement by making the necessary changes in their development regulations,” said Anthony Sasson, freshwater policy specialist for the Conservancy in Ohio. “If the community can make this happen, this agreement will not only be historic for Ohio, but also could serve as a model for community development and cooperative freshwater conservation efforts across America.”

The Darby Accord, a development and conservation plan in western Franklin County, sets high standards in three critical areas: Open space conservation, particularly along stream corridors and other environmentally sensitive areas; stormwater management; and the restoration of natural water flows (both surface and ground water).

Equally important, the Accord establishes a financial mechanism to support the plan’s success.

Although we support this agreement, the Conservancy believes the Accord has shortcomings, 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. (Read the Conservancy's supporting points here)

The Conservancy is opposed to 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,” Sasson said. “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.”

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.

The Nature Conservancy, an international non-profit conservation organization, has been working to protect the Big Darby Creek Watershed for more than 20 years, protecting more than 2,000 acres in the watershed. The organization has provided considerable scientific expertise to the consultants working to develop the Accord plan and other protection efforts, including extensive documentation about critical locations of fish, mussels and other aquatic species.

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

As they run through Franklin County, the creeks are home to the most complete and diverse collection of plants and animals as anywhere else in the watershed. And, with at least two-thirds of the population in the watershed, Franklin County presents the greatest and most imminent threat of development.