Latest news with #H2Ohio
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Program for Ohio's water health could face dramatic cut in funding
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A program created in 2019 for Ohio's water health, called H2Ohio, could face a dramatic cut in funding. H2Ohio was created by Gov. Mike DeWine. The program is run by three state agencies to achieve one goal: ensuring Ohioans have access to clean and safe water. 'We've got a lot of water,' Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Brian Baldridge said. 'But we need to make sure we have quality.' Baldridge works alongside the directors of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to keep H2Ohio effective. But right now, the state budget slashes its funding. Columbus' Leveque Tower to covert apartments into for-sale condos 'In many ways, they've already achieved a lot of the things they wanted to do,' Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said. 'Not at all,' Baldridge said in response to Huffman's comment. 'This is a continuation.' The past two fiscal years, H2Ohio received a combined $53 million to continue its work. DeWine wanted a slight increase of about $1 million for the next two. But Ohio House members cut it by about 46%, funding it at about $14 million for fiscal year's 26 and 27 each. In a statement, the Ohio EPA said in fiscal years 24 and 25, 400 H2Ohio grants were awarded statewide to support things like water, infrastructure, dam removal and chloride reduction. With the funding cut the EPA spokesperson tells me only 20-30 grants will be issued the next two years. They say H2Ohio has been 'instrumental in helping communities, especially small and disadvantaged ones.' Huffman said not only does he think H2Ohio could go without all of that money, but he said the state has other priorities. 'I think there's money I that fund that we could use for many of the other programs, so it's really just a balancing,' he said. 'This is a long-term program, this is a long term vision,' Baldridge said. 'It's just all about water quality here in our state because it is so important in our state.' The budget does still need to go through the Ohio Senate before it passes the Statehouse. Baldridge and the Ohio EPA said they are going to continue pushing for the programs funding to come back up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ohio farmers: enroll in H2Ohio to protect waterways and reduce pollution
REYNOLDSBURG — Farmers in 10 counties within the Western Lake Erie Basin can now enroll in H2Ohio's agriculture incentive program, according to an announcement from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The program, which launched March 24, allows producers in Crawford, Erie, Huron, Marion, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby and Wyandot counties to enroll or re-enroll their land in best management practices aimed at improving water quality. To participate, farmers must have an up-to-date soil test and develop an approved Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan. Available practices include overwintering cover, subsurface phosphorus placement and manure incorporation and utilization. To date, more than 3,200 producers have enrolled 2.2 million acres in H2Ohio statewide. In northwest Ohio, approximately 43% of cropland in the Western Lake Erie Basin is enrolled in the program. 'The agricultural community in Ohio has shown us time and time again they are dedicated to doing their part to improve water quality,' ODA Director Brian Baldridge said in the release. 'We are asking farmers to step up once more and continue their commitment to reducing nutrients and protecting Ohio's waterways for future generations, and we strongly encourage farmers who have not enrolled in H2Ohio before to talk with their county SWCD.' Farmers interested in applying should contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District and provide up-to-date soil tests. Those who enroll will receive support to develop and implement Voluntary Nutrient Management Plans, which encourage better utilization of nutrients applied. The Ohio Department of Agriculture works closely with county Soil and Water Conservation Districts to administer participant contracts, provide technical assistance and support producers with the implementation of best management practices. H2Ohio, launched in 2019, is a statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio's waters. The program uses a comprehensive approach guided by science and data to reduce algal blooms, stop pollution and improve access to clean drinking water. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Farmers in 10 counties can enroll in H2Ohio agriculture program
