Ohio - "Good River"
Ohio’s name comes from the Iroquois word for “good river” and it’s no wonder. With more than 199,000 miles of waterways and 482,800 acres of wetlands, Ohio is considered a “water-rich” state.
However, our waterways are under duress from sediment, manure, coal mining, wetland destruction, and phosphorus run off. Ohio’s laws do not go far enough in protecting this vital resource for all who call Ohio home.
By protecting and restoring our waterways, advocating through legal and legislative action, and educating and mobilizing Ohio’s citizens, the OEC helps ensure that all our “good rivers,” - and lakes, streams, and wetlands - are swimmable, fishable, and enjoyable for all Ohioans.
Eager for more Ohio water facts? Read our fact sheet (pdf).
2012 Vernal Pool Workshops
 Registration is now open for the OEC's two Vernal Pool Workshops
- March 24 - Northwest Ohio
- March 31 - Central Ohio
Click here for agendas, speakers, and registration information.
The Need to Improve America’s Wastewater Infrastructure
Although it’s been more than 30 years since the Cuyahoga River was engulfed in flames and more than 40 years since the passage of the Clean Water Act, today over 10 billion gallons of untreated sewage is dumped into Lake Erie and water resources across the state each year. Furthermore, over 41 billion gallons of untreated sewage was dumped into the Great Lakes in 2009 from just five cities: Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Milwaukee and Gary, Indiana. Ohio and the Great Lakes states are not alone in this problem. The report released today by AFSCME notes that 860 billion gallons of untreated sewage contaminates US waters1 every single year.
Read OEC's full comments
Stopping the Threat of Asian Carp
Asian carp were allowed into this country under a law governing animal imports that was passed in 1900, and has remained unchanged despite a drastically different global trade reality. As two species of Asian carp, bighead and silver, knock at the door of the Great Lakes, conservation and fishing groups are calling on federal officials to finally update weak import screening laws before the next invader gets here.
Report: Great Lakes-Mississippi River Separation is Possible, Practical, and Preventive. Read press release
Take Action! Tell Congress to pass the Stop Asian Carp Act now!
Read the OEC's Fact Sheet on Asian Carp.
LaMP Public Forum
The Lake Erie LaMP Public Forum provides input on the Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP), which unites a network of stakeholders in actions to restore and protect the Lake Erie ecosystem.
View the presentations from the LaMP Public Forum held in August.
Ohio Governor VETOES Legislation Harmful to the Great Lakes
 Ohio Governor John Kasich unexpectedly vetoed an industry-backed bill that threatened to allow factories and other industrial facilities to withdraw millions of gallons of water from Lake Erie and inland waterways that drain to it, without government oversight.
"Thank you, Gov. Kasich, for not being afraid to do the right thing," said Kristy Meyer, Ohio Environmental Council's Director of Agricultural & Clean Water Programs. "It is unbelievable that this unbalanced bill got all the way to the governor's desk. Fortunately, Gov. Kasich has flashed his veto pen. Maybe now big business will get down to business and work responsibly to help craft a balanced plan."
Read more
OEC Participates in Agency Rule Group
By participating in the Ohio EPA’s 401 Wetland External Advisory Group, OEC fights industry efforts to destroy wetlands, build new ones several counties over, use dated science, and get rid of Ohio EPA protections for wetlands.
Read more of OEC’s recommendations in a letter sent to the Ohio EPA.
To learn more about the rule review process, visit www.ohiowetlands.net.
Citizen’s Guide to 401’s Available
Sections 404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act govern the filling of wetlands. For tips on how to participate in the permitting process and information on what the regulations require the Ohio EPA to consider, take a look at our Citizen’s Guide to 401’s. (PDF)
OEC's Clean Water Program is funded by the following supporters:
And by members like you, thank you!
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