SAVE THE SHAKER LAKES PARKLANDS!
TOGETHER. NOW.
About the organization
The Shaker Lakes Parklands is a grassroots, nonpartisan citizen movement uniting neighbors to help promote solutions to prevent the destruction of Horseshoe Lake, Lower Lake, and surrounding parklands, safeguard wildlife habitats, and ensure public access for future generations.
THE ISSUE
The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) plans to remove the dams at Horseshoe and Lower Shaker Lakes and replace the lakes with stream and wetland systems, a project that will significantly alter the historic landscape and lead to the removal of 1,000+ trees. We are calling for a pause so that environmental impacts, historic-preservation requirements, true cost estimates, and less destructive alternatives (including public-private partnerships) can be fully and transparently evaluated before work begins.
⚠ EMERGENCY ACTION REQUESTED
concerned citizens showed up in force to comment at the OHIO EPA public hearing on neorsd’s planned dam removal.
you can show up, too. send your comments & concerns online to the EPA by Tuesday, september 29.
Here’s how:
The proposed NEORSD project imposes a significant environmental impact, and transforms the entire Horseshoe Lake/Shaker Lakes Parklands landscape. Does the proposed discharge of fill material into Doan Brook and adjacent wetlands create deleterious conditions for the established habitat, wildlife, and mature tree canopy? Ultimately, the project could cause considerable harm, including unanticipated negative impacts and ecological loss to the natural balance of this 175-year-old ecosystem. Prevention of ecological harm should be the baseline. Potential alternatives exist, and deserve public consideration.
ABOUT THE OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The Ohio EPA contributes to decisions in the permitting process for federal projects. Therefore, the state agency is responsible for evaluating whether the proposed Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) project meets criteria that complies with water quality standards under the Clean Water Act (Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC)).
An outpour of public comments submitted to the Ohio EPA regarding this project, and recently updated requirements, prompted the agency to perform a more thorough environmental analysis and schedule a public hearing. During the hearing, public feedback is presented and constituents provide testimony, both of which heavily influence the final decision process.
The Ohio EPA evaluation examines the potential harm a proposed project may incur to the existing ecosystem, and provides protection for local aquatic life and water purity.
The proposed NEORSD project imposes a significant environmental impact, and transforms the entire Horseshoe Lake/Shaker Lakes Parklands landscape. Does the proposed discharge of fill material into Doan Brook and adjacent wetlands create deleterious conditions for the established habitat, wildlife, and mature tree canopy? Ultimately, the project could cause considerable harm, including unanticipated negative impacts and ecological loss to the natural balance of this 175-year-old ecosystem. Prevention of ecological harm should be the baseline. Potential alternatives exist, and deserve public consideration.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NEORSD signed a consent decree agreement as part of its Clean Water Act settlement with the U.S. EPA and U.S. Justice Department. The settlement was due to a violation of repeated discharge of billions of gallons of untreated sewage into Lake Erie and Cleveland area waterways. The settlement requires completion of the construction and full implementation of all remedial and control measures by 2035 (http.//www.epa.gov).
Under the federal Clean Water Act, NEORSD is the local agency responsible for the health of the streams that feed into Lake Erie. Therefore, this consent decree settlement warrants scrutiny.
WRITE A PUBLIC COMMENT TO THE EPA BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026. HERE’S HOW
Written Public Comment Period
- Public comments are an integral part of the documented record.
- The Ohio EPA will continue to accept written comment submissions from the public until the close of business on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
- All comments are considered equally, regardless of format.
Written public comments may be submitted:
Via the online form at: https://ohioepa.commentinput.com?id=fde6QFZat.
or
Via Mail to: Ohio EPA-DSW, Attention: Permits Processing Unit, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049.
🔗 ADDITIONAL DEEPER DIVE LINKS
See Links Below for Additional Information
Ohio EPA Public Hearing: Water Quality Certification
NEORSD / Horseshoe / Shaker Lakes Parklands Project (September 22, 2026):
https://epa.ohio.gov/about/media-center/events/public-meeting-NEORSDDoanBrook
Ohio EPA Section 401 Water Quality Certification:
EPA Section 404 Clean Water Act Permit Program:
https://www.epa.gov/cwa-404/permit-program-under-cwa-section-404
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Clean Water Act Permit Program:
https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs/home/permitting
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Clean Water Act Settlement:
https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/northeast-ohio-regional-sewer-district-clean-water-act-settlement
Show your support.
click here to Order your Save the shaker Lakes t-shirt now!
⚠ EMERGENCY ACTION REQUESTED
A key National historic-preservation Protection (NHPA) is under threat. We need your help.
The enforcement of the National Historic Preservation Law in its current form is critical in efforts to save the Shaker Lakes Parklands.
THE ISSUE
The Issue
The Shaker Lakes Parklands were previously rescued from demolition by a proposed thruway project. An outpouring of public engagement and support successfully stopped destruction of the picturesque historic lakes and landscape. The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) was implemented in 1966 to protect valued places like the Shaker Lakes Parklands through federal law. The purpose of this national preservation policy was to protect the nation’s historic heritage from destruction caused by federal development.
The NHPA mandates that federal agencies act as stewards of historic properties and must, for example:
1) Consider a wide range of alternatives for a federal undertaking.
2) Avoid, Minimize, and Mitigate damage to historic properties.
3) Include public views and participation.
NHPA regulations that enforce this law through the Section 106 Review Process are in danger. This regulatory process provides the foundation for public participation and effective safeguards for the preservation of the Shaker Lakes Parklands. Proposed regulatory revisions would essentially nullify protection for historic and cultural properties, and remove community input from the consultation and decision-making process for federal projects.
The public must resist these regulatory changes in order to preserve our nation’s historic and cultural heritage. Citizens are encouraged to contact their elected officials and contribute to a robust letter-writing campaign, expressing strong opposition to the proposed revisions and urging their withdrawal.
Watch the webinar on the National Trust for Historic Preservation website: https://savingplaces.org/.
Update (august 2026)
Senate negotiations have postponed any Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) proposed historic preservation law revisions package and subsequent 30-day public comment period until after the August recess, into September.
This provides more time to organize, and puts the timing directly into the midst of midterm campaigns for political candidates. Public pressure on elected officials has already made an impact, making it clear we oppose the proposed ACHP revisions. We currently have an opportunity to intensify our outreach by contacting representatives during the August recess, and continuing our campaign by sharing our concerns with political candidates into the midterms.
- Contact your elected officials now.
- Tell your elected officials to reject the ACHP revisions, and support the original intent and wording of the law.
- Be prepared to submit public comments: A 30-day public comment period will soon be announced by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP).
MESSAGING EXAMPLE
Spread the Word:
Inform your family, friends, colleagues, and community about this critical issue, and encourage them to Act!
Messaging Example:
The ACHP just voted to advance a rewrite of Section 106 — the law that makes agencies “stop and think” before destroying historic places. It’s not final: a Federal Register comment period is next, and that’s where it can be stopped.
Need guidance on drafting your comment now? Click here.
https://section106.org/#Section106#HistoricPreservation
(Historical Research Systems)
Thank you for your commitment to the historic legacies of our local and tribal communities, states, and nation!
GUIDANCE & TEMPLATES ON CONTACTING YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS (SCRIPTS, TALKING POINTS, PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMISSIONS)
Background Info
Section 106 Under Threat (National Trust for Historic Preservation)
How we got here and what comes next (NCSHPO)
Defend Section 106 (Cultural Heritage Partners)
A Citizen’s Guide to Section 106 (ACHP)
Scripts and Talking Points
(Cultural Heritage Partners)
Be prepared to submit public comments once the 30-day period is initiated.
The most effective comments are drafted early:
Guidance for writing comments regarding opposition to ACHP regulatory revisions (Cultural Heritage Partners):https://section106.org/#write
Website Resources and Updates:
Watch this Recent Webinar on the Threat to Section 106 Regulations:
Webinar: Section 106 Regulations Under Threat (National Trust for Historic Preservation)
Elected Officials Contact Information
Find Your Representatives Here
U.S. State Representative:
Shontel Brown:
Staff: Jasmine Butler (jasmine.butler@mail.house.gov), Bradley Deane (bradley.deane@mail.house.gov)
25200 Chagrin Boulevard
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
Cleveland Phone: (216) 522-4900
Washington, D.C. Office Phone: (202) 225-7032 (Rep. Shontel Brown’s main office)
Ohio State representative:
Juanita Brent
77 South High Street
10th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 719-3912
Ohio State Senate:
Kent Smith
Senate Building
1 Capital Square Second Floor 223
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-4857
U.S. Senators of Ohio:
Bernie Moreno
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-2315
Jon Husted
304 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
ATTEND Public Meetings!
OUR Elected Officials NEED TO SEE THAT WE’RE PAYING ATTENTION.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO SHOW UP
Your physical presence at council meetings sends a message signatures alone cannot. Show up, be counted, and make your voice heard. Attend upcoming public meetings to voice your concerns to those who have been charged with stewardship of the Parklands.
PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE
OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS NEED TO SEE THAT WE’RE PAYING ATTENTION.
ATTEND Public Meetings!
Your presence at council meetings sends a message signatures alone cannot. Show up, be counted, and make your concerns heard by those who’ve been charged with stewardship of the Parklands.
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Join the Team!
VOLUNTEER WITH THE SHAKER LAKES PARKLANDS
VOLUNTEER ROLES
Meeting Team
Track agendas, attend meetings, take notes, and identify follow-up items.
Outreach
Deliver fact sheets, speak with neighbors, recruit meeting attendees, and give block-level updates.
Research
Research source links, compare public statements, and maintain timelines.
Writing & Editing
Create concise explainers, meeting alerts, letters, and social posts.
Photography & Video
Document the lake, habitat, meetings, and events.
Professional Expertise
Offer knowledge in engineering, ecology, financing public-private initiatives, law, public finance, history, communications, or organizing.
Join the Movement to save the Shaker lakes
Getting informed is the first step.
The next is action – sign up for updates, share stories, help come up with workable solutions, and stand with us.