By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two years after algal blooms created a water crisis in the Toledo area, local leaders want to know what Ohio and Michigan are doing to prevent the green water from returning.
Last week, legislators from both states were asked to explain efforts at the state level to keep Lake Erie clean. The state senators and representatives were a captive audience for questions from regional city, village, township, county and school officials during a TMACOG forum.
The legislators were asked about steps they had taken to protect the water quality in the northwest Lake Erie basin. One legislator from Ohio and another from Michigan said they had been “proactive” in their clean water efforts, with manure application on farm fields now being regulated.
State Senator Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, stopped short of using the word “proactive,” but listed off several bills and proposals to protect the water. However, he then added, “I don’t believe we have done enough yet.”
“We still have more work to do. This lake deserves it,” Gardner said.
State Rep. Mike Sheehy, who represents several Lucas County subdivisions, said many Ohio waterways are in compliance with the Clean Water Act. “Guess which river is not on the list?” he asked – the Maumee River.
State Rep. Bill Reineke, from the Sandusky County area, said he represents several farmers in his district who have been self-regulating their use of manure on fields. “We can’t be blaming anyone,” he said.
Michigan Rep. Bill LaVoy said his region has worked with government sources of the problem, and is now starting to focus on farming sources.
“We all have responsibility,” said State Rep. Steve Arndt of Ottawa and Erie counties. The problem is caused by failed septic systems, community wastewater system deficiencies, and agricultural runoff.
“There just simply is not enough money,” to tackle the problem without turning to science to pinpoint the sources, Arndt said.
The local officials asked about aging and failing water systems that need replacement, but are not affordable for most communities.
“We definitely should do more,” Gardner said. “Isn’t it amazing that we live next to one of the most important fresh water sources” yet parts of the region have very high water rates and bicker over their systems.
Gardner went on to say he had proposed a billion dollar clean water bond issue that did not garner ample support to progress this year. “That is not going to happen in 2016,” he said.
Michigan State Rep. Jason Sheppard said his state shares in the problem of aging infrastructure, with the city of Flint still having some wooden water mains.
“It’s an ongoing problem,” Sheppard said. “How can we as a state prop up these municipalities?”
Sheehy said when he travels across the country, people are aware of Northwest Ohio’s water problems. He suggested Ohio consider enacting a 2-cent a gallon tax on water, like other states to make improvements to its water systems.
“Communities are doing their parts. They need help from the state level and also federal,” Sheehy said.
Gardner said he feels more hopeful of progress on water improvements since former State Rep. Tim Brown has taken over as head of TMACOG, and the Sylvania mayor is leading the water effort for TMACOG.
“I think we’ve got a real chance to turn the corner on this issue,” Gardner said.
County, community and school officials had other questions last week for their state legislators, including a topic repeated often since the state cut back on Local Government Funds. Local leaders asked if they can expect additional cuts or any restoration of the funds that had been slashed over the last few years.
“There’s no question the Local Government Fund is important to local governments,” Gardner said. But he added that “Ohio does provide more state aid than most states do,” and gives grassroots government more opportunities to enact their own fees.
“We basically represent the same people,” Gardner said of state and local government. His goal is to restore additional support for libraries and education, and other areas that affect the quality of life.
Local government officials said the state legislature last raised gas taxes in 2006. Those tax revenues help pay for road repairs. The officials stressed the need to increase funding for local roads and bridges.
Arndt said the state needs to examine the funding formula, since some small communities have far more miles of roadway to maintain than they can possibly afford.
The road budgets are being affected by motorists buying more fuel efficient vehicles, consequently not raising as much through the gas tax.
Ohio has a great many road concerns, but it does a better job with maintenance than Michigan, according to Sheppard. “In my district, everyone likes Ohio roads compared to ours.”
In response to a very specific concern about cities having to pay for portions of state route repairs that run through their municipal boundaries, Gardner agreed with city leaders that state dollars should pay for those routes.
Local officials also asked if Ohio could piggyback on Michigan’s success with its state tourism slogan, “Pure Michigan.”
Reineke asked if local officials were not aware of Ohio’s slogan, “Find It Here.” An audience member shouted out, “Find What Where?”
Gardner said tourism is very important to Ohio’s economy. “I think there’s an awful lot in Ohio to promote,” he said. “I think we have not leveraged our dollars enough.”
Sheehy said the region suffers from being known as the “rust belt” of America. He suggested that the area be promoted as the Great Lakes or Fresh Water region.
Sheppard said he would be glad to partner with Ohio to promote the region for tourism. But he cautioned that each time the funding for Michigan tourism comes up, supporters have to fight to keep it off the chopping block.
The legislators were also questioned about efforts to improve the skilled workforce and energy policy in Ohio. The lack of skilled labor as well as the lack of plentiful and reasonably priced power have become issues for businesses in the state.
“Businesses are telling me they have positions they can’t fill,” Reineke said. The applicants either don’t have the skills or can’t pass the drug tests, he said.
Penta Career Center Superintendent asked the legislators for their assistance with the growing opiate problem. “It’s coming. This is out of control,” he said about the opiate epidemic. “What’s the game plan?”
Sheehy said Ohio has seen between 20,000 and 30,000 deaths due to opiate overdoses.
“We are looking at addiction as a sickness, not a crime,” he said, adding “there is so much more to be done.”
Michigan is experiencing the same problems. “It’s not getting better. It’s getting worse – even with the things we’ve done,” LaVoy said. “Just to lock someone up isn’t always the answer.”
