Representative Swearingen Welcomes H2Ohio Funding to Reduce Lake Erie Algal Blooms

Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Agriculture announced $30 million in H2Ohio funding will be used to support farmers in minimizing phosphorus runoff into Ohio’s waterways, including Lake Erie. This runoff causes algal blooms in Lake Erie that can threaten drinking water and impact of the health – State Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) supports the funding initiative to reduce the algal blooms.

“This is an issue that the community and the state has worked on addressing by pulling together their resources,” said Swearingen. “Along with the budget passed last year in the General Assembly granting these funds, efforts have been made by Ohio State students guided by Professor Wallace at the Stone Laboratory to conduct work and research on the algal blooms in order to find solutions.”

For the first year of the state budget biennium, H2Ohio was granted a total of $85 million in funding. The state is making $30 million in H2Ohio funding available to farmers in 14 northwest Ohio counties to decrease the phosphorus runoff.  

Farmers living in the eligible counties will be able to apply for funds at their local Soil and Water Conservation Districts starting on February 1.

Based off the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) records, the NOAA indicates 2011 and 2015 were more severe with algal blooms.

“While I am aware previous years were worse than 2019 pertaining to the algal blooms, this is an issue that needs to be taken care of for the safety of Ohioans and the environment,” said Swearingen.

According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, H2Ohio will fund investments in 10 scientifically proven interventions to reduce nutrient runoff from agriculture, which is the primary cause for algal blooms in Lake Erie and elsewhere.