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Ohio
has plentiful waterways --over 62,000 miles of rivers and
streams, thousands of acres of wetlands, plentiful underground
aquifers of groundwater, hundreds of lakes, Lake Erie and
the Ohio River. If we restore and protect these valuable
natural resources, the public can enjoy the benefits of
healthy waterways.
We get our drinking water from rivers,
groundwater wells, and Lake Erie—healthy waterways
mean clean drinking water. |
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Wetlands and floodplains next to creeks
and rivers slow rainwater and store floodwaters—healthy
waterways mean safety from flooding. Natural areas along rivers
and in bogs, fens, and vernal pools give us special places
to fish, canoe, hunt, hike, bike, and view nature—healthy
waterways mean recreational opportunities for families.
Clean and well-managed water supplies
translate into lower treatment costs and an asset for industries
as well as a higher quality of life to attract employees—healthy
waterways mean a strong foundation for our economy. Clean
and natural areas allow our ecosystems to be in balance—healthy
waterways mean a diverse population of fish and wildlife.
Unfortunately, not all of our waterways
are healthy. Yes, we’ve made some progress from the
days that the mighty Cuyahoga River burned, but we have
a long way to go, and we have surely not yet addressed all
of the threats. The OEC doesn’t want our children
and grandchildren to inherit a state with sick waters—we
are fighting so they inherit a great state of Ohio that
respects its waterways. Please join us in our fight!
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