Area Leaders Meet with ODNR to Discuss Designating Scenic River

ZANESVILLE, OH – Area leaders and conservationists met with members of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to discuss designating the Licking River as a Scenic River.

Matthew Smith, the assistant regional scenic rivers manager with the Division of Natural Areas & Preserves, said if a city would like to have a scenic river they need to directly contact ODNR to set up a designation study for the area.

He said once the designation study request is made, it can take a varying amount of time for it to be completed.

“It really depends, there’s so many different factors that come into play, once the process starts, it could be staffing levels, the amount of workload that is taking place,” Smith explained. “The amount of support that we have and actually doing the study itself. Are we doing all of the study of self or do we have partners that are helping do the study? So there’s a lot of different reasons that a study could go very quickly or take time.”

Mayor of Zanesville, Don Mason, said many area leaders have already taken steps to help protect the waterways.

He said with the addition of a scenic river, it could lead to more learning opportunities for community members.

“What it would allow you to do is give special attention to educational and environmental aspects and the importance our rivers play and again, in the entire ecosystem,” Mayor Mason said. “Over 10 years ago the City adopted a comprehensive plan and it called for the preservation and protection of river areas, so that would include the Licking and Muskingum Rivers. The City of Zanesville, Muskingum Valley Parks District and others have been working really hard protecting the Muskingum River and repairing way where the Licking River comes into the Muskingum.”

Mayor Mason said there is still more work that needs to be done before the Licking River is deemed a Scenic River.