COLUMBUS—State Representative Margaret Ann Ruhl (R-Mount Vernon) announced that House Bill 61, legislation addressing some of the most important issues pertaining to water quality in Ohio, including the recent, harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, passed the Ohio House during today’s session.
Among other provisions, Substitute House Bill 61 encourages establishing best nutrient management practices, such as regulating the application of fertilizer in the western basin of Lake Erie when the ground is frozen or saturated.
“House Bill 61 received many hearings, including our travels to Van Wert and Sylvania to listen to those in the area experiencing the worst of the algae bloom problem,” Ruhl said. “HB 61 is a great start to the changes we need to make to protect our water supply.”
In addition, beginning in 2020, the bill prohibits the depositing of dredged materials into the Maumee basin. It also requires certain publicly owned water treatment facilities to monitor the amount of phosphorous in the water and to require some treatment facilities to submit an evaluation of how it might reduce the level of phosphorous.
HB 61 will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
