But its resources could be in danger without proper planning, he added.

Monday, August 09, 1999

But its resources could be in danger without proper planning, he added. To help, the Symmes Creek Restoration Committee teamed with the district to plan a public meeting Monday.

Officials want to hear concerns but, more importantly, they want to hear ideas, Crawford said.

"The way I see it, it’s important to have a plan for growth and protection," he said. "We want to hear from the public what their priorities are when it comes to Symmes Creek."

The meeting will cover issues regarding sources of pollution in the Symmes Creek watershed, conservation practices among its users and watershed management.

In other words, the use of the creek is important to everyone who lives near it and uses water from it, Crawford said.

If residents offer their opinions, the concerned citizens and conservationists can ultimately find better ways to use the creek, he said.

And there is a need to plan for how pollution and erosion is controlled on Symmes Creek, how recreation areas are developed and how clean up of log jams or trash is funded, Crawford said.

"This informational meeting will help the Symmes Creek Restoration Committee develop a long-range plan and we want to hear what concerns the public have in managing the watershed."

Because Symmes Creek snakes across three counties – Lawrence, Gallia and Jackson – meetings in each county will be used to help write the long-range plan, Crawford added.

One already has been held in Jackson. A date has been set for Gallia’s meeting.

Lawrence County’s public meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday at the Lawrence Soil and Water office in Linnville.