Columbus Weighs Big Darby Watershed Accord Amid Calls to Wait

New draft plan aims to balance development and environmental protection, but some want to pause for state study.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:05am

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A vibrant, abstract painting in shades of blue, green, and brown depicting the flowing movement of a river, with overlapping geometric shapes and fractured brushstrokes conveying the dynamic balance between development and environmental preservation in the Big Darby watershed.A new draft of the Big Darby Accord aims to update development plans for the sensitive watershed, but some want the city to wait for a state study before approving it.Columbus Today

Columbus City Council is considering approving a new draft of the Big Darby Accord, a 20-year plan to manage development and protect the Big Darby Creek watershed. While some environmental groups support the updated accord, others are urging the city to wait for the results of an ongoing state study of the watershed before moving forward.

Why it matters

The Big Darby Accord is a critical agreement between multiple local jurisdictions to balance growth and environmental preservation in the sensitive Big Darby watershed, which includes a state and national scenic river. The new draft aims to update the original 2004 accord, but some worry it may not fully reflect the latest science on the watershed's needs.

The details

The original Big Darby Accord was created in 2004 by elected officials from municipal jurisdictions in Franklin County to protect the watershed through a common agreement on controlled future development. After nearly a year and a half of renegotiations, a proposed new accord has been drafted that aims to balance building additional housing with preserving the Big Darby Creek's delicate ecosystem. The new draft includes increased buffers for development along waterways, water quality monitoring, and requirements for developers to restore unhealthy streams.

  • The original Big Darby Accord was created in 2004.
  • Renegotiations on a new accord draft have been ongoing for nearly a year and a half.
  • The new draft accord could come before Columbus City Council for approval by the end of April 2026.
  • An ODNR study of the Big Darby watershed is still underway, with the second phase expected in the next few months.

The players

Columbus City Council

The city council of Columbus, Ohio, which will vote on whether to approve the new draft of the Big Darby Accord.

ODNR

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which is conducting a study of the Big Darby watershed that some want the city to wait for before approving the new accord.

Metro Parks of Columbus and Franklin County

A parks system that operates two metro parks incorporating sections of the Big Darby watershed, and which has approved the new accord draft.

Nature Conservancy of Ohio

An environmental organization that has urged Columbus to wait for the ODNR study before approving the new accord.

Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund

An environmental advocacy group that has also called for Columbus to wait for the ODNR study results.

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What they’re saying

“We shouldn't be making long-term policy decisions for one of Ohio's most important ecosystems using incomplete and outdated science when more precise, relevant data is on the way.”

— Annalisa Rocca, Central Ohio regional director, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund

“There's some worry that at some point – [developers] have the right to submit [projects] today. We really would like them to be submitting under these new requirements.”

— Chris Hermann, Chief planner, MKSK

“I think some believe that this is a choice between development and no development. It's really a choice between development under a 20-year plan or development under these standards.”

— Bryan Clark, Deputy director of development, City of Columbus

What’s next

The second phase of the ODNR study on the Big Darby watershed is expected to be completed in the next few months, providing more specific environmental thresholds for the region. Columbus has said it will re-evaluate the new accord draft once those results are available.

The takeaway

The debate over the Big Darby Accord highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing development needs with environmental protection, especially in sensitive watersheds. While the new draft aims to update the original 2004 agreement, some feel the city should wait for the latest scientific data before cementing long-term land use policies.