Ohio cities sue to protect vegetation around reservoirs
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Five Ohio cities sued to stop a state law allowing residents near city-owned reservoirs to remove surrounding trees and other vegetation that protects drinking water from pollutants that can cause algae problems.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court by Columbus, Westerville, Barberton, Lima and Akron. It seeks to remove part of the state budget that would allow adjacent homeowners to cut down trees or other vegetation serving as a buffer for city-owned reservoirs.
The lawsuit says the vegetation slows storm-water runoff and filters out pollutants that can lead to toxic algae.
Attorneys for Lima and Columbus say the law to take effect Sept. 29 violates cities’ property rights under the Ohio Constitution.
An attorney general’s spokesman says that office is reviewing the lawsuit.