The Columbus City Council approved an ordinance authorizing the Director of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to enter into a Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP) agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). This agreement facilitates the Lake Katharine - Salt Lick Creek Expansion Project, which will protect 193 acres adjacent to the 2,018-acre Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve in Jackson County, Ohio. This area is a rich Appalachian forest with diverse flora, including rare magnolias. By sponsoring this project, which is administered and funded by ODNR with WRRSP funds, the City of Columbus DPU expects to receive a 0.10 interest rate discount on a 20-year Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) loan for its Barnett Road Storm Sewer Improvements Project (CIP #611040-100000). There is no direct cost to the City of Columbus for this sponsorship. The ordinance was declared an emergency measure to ensure timely execution of documents before the Ohio Water Development Authority's August board meeting, where the Barnett Road Storm Sewer Improvements Project loan is expected to be approved.