Two area state representatives have introduced a resolution in the Ohio House urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the levee that protects Zoar from flooding.

State Reps. Al Landis, R-Dover, and Mark Okey, D-Carrollton, testified on behalf of the measure  Tuesday in Columbus before the House Local Government Committee.

“Basically, we gave a history of Zoar, how it came to be and talked about the historical significance of the community,” Landis said.

The two lawmakers also told committee members that Zoar not only is important to its residents, but to all of Tuscarawas County.

Because tourism is such an important industry in the area, “Zoar is vital to our Tuscarawas County economy,” he said.

 The Army Corps of Engineers is in the midst of an 18-month study to determine the best option to repair problems with the levee, which was built in the late 1930s. The agency has given the levee a Dam Safety Action Classification I, which means that the need for repairs is urgent and compelling.

The corps is considering three options for the levee — repair it, tear down the village and let the area flood or relocate Zoar to higher ground. The decision will be based on which option is the most cost-effective.

The House resolution reads in part: “Resolved, that we, the members of the 129th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, in adopting this resolution, strongly urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers to take all actions necessary to repair the levee and to preserve the Village of Zoar in its present location.”

No action has been taken on the resolution yet.

Jon Elsasser, president of the Zoar Community Association, which has been leading efforts to save the village, said he would be testifying before the committee next Tuesday.

He was happy that Landis and Okey had introduced the resolution. “It will certainly be helpful,” he said.

The campaign continues to build support to preserve Zoar in its present location. An NPR radio station in Cleveland will be airing a story soon about the village on a German-American culture program, hosted by Joe Wendel.

A new exhibit on the Zoar paintings of August Biehle Jr. at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, near Cleveland, also will give the community needed exposure, Elsasser said.

Zoar residents remain hopeful that their town will be saved.

“We’re still optimistic, but we’re still going to work hard,” Elsasser said. “We’re not assuming that we’ve won or lost.”