HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — More than 300 signatures have been obtained by a group of residents who want to save Coalburg Lake and prevent the dam from being breached.

Mary Lou Reder, who is leading the petition drive, was at Tuesday’s township trustees meeting, where she passed a petition to the more than 20 people in attendance.

Reder said her goal is to get 1,000 signatures from Hubbard city and township residents and approach Brookfield residents as well because the Coalburg Lake property is located in both communities.

She said she is planning to host petition drives in the near future but was checking the weather forecast.

“We want to save Coalburg Lake and stop the breach of the dam. People want to see the property used as a park,” she said, noting she and other residents who live near the lake want to see it stay.

She said an informational meeting took place recently to discuss the efforts to protect the lake, dam and property.

Reder said she and local officials were informed by Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith that a grant is available if the property is acquired.

In a letter from Smith to trustees, he said Ohio Department of Natural Resources funding opportunities for 2024 include the High Hazard Potential Dams Grant program, for which the Coalburg Lake property is eligible.

Trustee Jason Tedrow, who was attending his first meeting after winning the Nov. 7 election, said Smith has stepped up to help with the effort.

Smith was involved when the Kinsman Dam broke and led efforts to get the road that was washed away rebuilt in Kinsman.

“This lake provides memories for many people. A lot of the younger generations did not get to enjoy it as much as older residents who attended the parties there by Youngstown Sheet and Tube. As we progress with this, we hope to be able to use it again like it was in the past,” Tedrow said.

Trustee Chairman William Colletta said trustees have been in contact with Warren resident John Brown, who sits on the Trumbull County MetroParks Board, which has expressed interest in meeting with trustees to discuss Coalburg Lake.

Tedrow said there will be further talks with the metroparks and other agencies.

At Saturday’s meeting, county and state representatives attended to listen to ideas on how to prevent the lake from being drained and the dam from being removed by the state.

Tedrow said they are pursuing grant money from agencies like the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and FEMA.

Tedrow said he’s hoping the state will give them time to secure those funds before proceeding with plans to drain the lake this summer.

Officials said if approved, ODNR and FEMA would provide 65% of the funding, with the remaining 35% coming from local sponsors like township trustees or the fire district.

Smith said that ODNR has to conduct a study of the dam before obtaining funds. The township also would have to obtain legal counsel and work with the owners of Coalburg Lake, which consists of 101 acres.

Reder said the property has a wetland and ecosystem with eagles, fish, turtles and other wildlife.

“This is an historic piece of property that was once used for steelmaking and coal mining. The community is coming together. … We want to pursue this as an historic park. We will fight for this lake,” Reder said previously.

Reder said plans are for the petition to be presented to township trustees, the state attorney general, senators and congress members.

Trustee Vice Chairman Rick Hernandez said he commends what residents want to do because Coalburg Lake has been discussed for several years.

“This is a beautiful area there. We want to see the dam saved and hope something can be done,” Hernandez said.

Reder, who has lived near the lake for 15 years, said she has heard rumors for years that the lake was going to be drained. She said over the years, she has heard people wanted to buy the property but the dam is an issue.

Hernandez said there is a concern over the liability of the dam ever since the Kinsman dam broke in the summer of 2019.