First Posted: 1/29/2015
VAN WERT — Farmers, experts and agricultural organizations had the opportunity to share their viewpoints on water quality and algae issues with state legislators Thursday.
The opportunity was a part of an Ohio House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee meeting, the first of its kind, held in Van Wert and intended to help representatives gather testimony from the farming community.
About 10 people testified at the meeting and the committee, made up of about 15 representatives, plans to use the testimony to draft a bill on the issue.
Water quality has been an issue in Ohio for years, said Committee Chairman and State Rep. Brian Hill, R-Zanesville.
“We know we have a very serious, serious situation with water quality as it relates to agriculture,” said State Rep. Jim Buchy, R-Greenville. “We still have an algae problem. … We have a long way to go, but we’re moving in the right direction. It is imperative that all of us work together.”
Farmers and agricultural organizations presented their solutions to phosphorus runoff that is believed to cause algal blooms in area lakes, putting drinking water in jeopardy. Their solutions ranged from more farmer education and targeted programs to testing, drinking water treatment and more.
Many also brought up the point that phosphorus runoff may not come only from farmers or even mostly from farmers and addressed the strain potential legislation could bring on farmers.
Funding, prevention and incentives for farmers need to be topics the committee addresses, Hill said.
“We also need to thinking about … how do we incentivize to get rid of the problem that’s there today, the algae that’s there today, the phosphorus that’s there today,” Hill said. “At the end of the day … Ohio agriculture is going to do the best they can do to fix this issue.”
It was time to discuss the topic because “it’s been made clear that water quality will be a high priority during this General Assembly,” said State Rep. Tony Burkley, R-Payne.
“Our work needs to start right away,” he said in a statement. “I am pleased to welcome my colleagues to the 82nd district and look forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work.”
