DeWine talks water quality initiative in Marietta
H2Ohio Rivers Initiative focuses on the future
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine talked about how beneficial the H2Ohio Rivers Initiative will be to Ohio at the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine shook hands as he entered the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher discussed how important waterways are to the area during Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s, left, H2Ohio Rivers Initiative Announcement at the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine talked about how beneficial the H2Ohio Rivers Initiative will be to Ohio at the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine shook hands as he entered the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Dobbs)
Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher discussed how important waterways are to the area during Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s, left, H2Ohio Rivers Initiative Announcement at the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. (Photo by James Dobbs)
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By James Dobbs
Staff Reporter
Mayors, county commissioners and other public officials gathered at the Marietta Chamber of Commerce on Thursday to hear Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announce an initiative to improve water quality.
The H2Ohio Rivers Initiative is an investment toward water quality through data collection to help preserve Ohio's rivers for future generations.
"This work that we are doing is not only important now, but will have a long term impact for our kids, our grandkids, and our great grandkids," said DeWine.
DeWine is hopeful that this initiative will have a positive long-term impact on wildlife habitat infrastructure, river integrity, drinking water, and tourism and recreation in towns, cities and townships along the rivers.
"As I said in my State of the State address on Tuesday, water is truly one of Ohio's greatest assets," he said.
DeWine explained how important the preservation of water is, because of its proximity to health, economic development, and ability to create jobs throughout the state. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, EPA, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture will coordinate their actions to improve water quality in Ohio's rivers, said DeWine.
The initiative will focus on expanding the survey of contaminates in Ohio's rivers, as well as monitoring the fish and mussel populations. Other steps in this plan consist of cleaning and restoring Ohio's riverways, and preserving the land along the edges of rivers and wetlands to help maintain healthy waterways.
DeWine has already enrolled 1.5 million acres of farmland in Northwest Ohio to reduce nutrient runoff, as well as the restoration and building of 265 wetlands through H2Ohio.
Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel said the EPA has already identified some sections of rivers that need significant work to be restored. She said with the investment from DeWine and the state, the EPA should be able to restore the rivers to their former glory.
Vogel also said the EPA is excited to work on dam removal, especially in the Great Miami River, to help in restoring wildlife habitats. One example she gave was the Hamilton low dam, and how it is restricting 13 species of fish to the lower 34 miles of the river.
Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher said Marietta is very interested in preserving, protecting and improving the city's riverbanks and waterways, due to the amount of transportation and recreation they provide to the city. He also announced that the city started the process of its new $30 million Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant. He said it would take two years to complete.
James Dobbs can be reached at jdobbs@newsandsentiel.com.