COLUMBUS, Ohio — From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio River and rivers and streams in between, water quality in Ohio is improving, according to Jill Mulinex, Executive Director of Ohio Lake Erie Commission. She spoke at the second Earth Day Celebration at the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus. The celebration shared the importance of clean water to students and parents with exhibits and hands on demonstrations.

As director of the commission, Mulinex oversees a staff of five who are responsible for the Lake Erie program and the implementation of H2Ohio’s involvement in reducing the amount of nutrients feeding into the lake.

Mulinex said a healthy Lake Erie generates close to $19 billion for the eight counties bordering the lake through tourism, boating, hotels, and fishing.

“We have a vibrant charter boat industry on the lake,” said Mulinex. “There is a reason we are known as the Walleye capital of the world.”

Mulinex said with the establishment of the H2Ohio program in 2019, 1.85 million acres (about 50 percent of the basin) have been enrolled. Farmers have voluntarily implemented conservation practices and nutrient management plans on their farms. These include subsurface fertilizer application, buffers, and cover crops to prevent soil erosion.

Mullinex said the Ohio EPA is leveraging funds to help affected communities make improvements without being overburdened by the expense of the improvements.

She said that the EPA has issued at least 112 grants to help communities make changes to their infrastructure to make sure their facilities and equipment are in good repair and last. She added that aging septic systems and water treatment plants have also benefited from grants available through the commission.

“We had a lot of support from the legislative assembly,” said Mullinex. “We have had a good turnout of farmers and we are coming up with new monitoring programs.”

Mullinex added the many fertilizer manufacturers have reduced the phosphorous levels in fertilizer for both farmers and lawn care companies. The reduction in phosphorous levels not only benefits Lake Erie, but it ultimately will benefit the Gulf of Mexico.    

As part of the program, more than 15,000 acres have been converted into wetlands, according to Andy Chow, Director of Communications for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

“Wetlands are built to clean water, capturing nutrients and sediment and filtering it out before the water enters the waterways,” said Chow. “These wetlands have native plants and trees that help filter out sediment. Wetlands help restore the natural infrastructure for water quality.”

Chow said not only are they seeing improved water quality from the wetlands, but they are seeing other benefits as well. He said ODNR staff also seeing an increase in habitat for fish and wildlife, and impBy Susan Mykrantz

Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio River and rivers and streams in between, water quality in Ohio is improving, according to Jill Mulinex, Executive Director of Ohio Lake Erie Commission. She spoke at the second Earth Day Celebration at the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus. The celebration shared the importance of clean water to students and parents with exhibits and hands on demonstrations.

As director of the commission, Mulinex oversees a staff of five who are responsible for the Lake Erie program and the implementation of H2Ohio’s involvement in reducing the amount of nutrients feeding into the lake.

Mulinex said a healthy Lake Erie generates close to $19 billion for the eight counties bordering the lake through tourism, boating, hotels, and fishing.

“We have a vibrant charter boat industry on the lake,” said Mulinex. “There is a reason we are known as the Walleye capital of the world.”

Mulinex said with the establishment of the H2Ohio program in 2019, 1.85 million acres (about 50 percent of the basin) have been enrolled. Farmers have voluntarily implemented conservation practices and nutrient management plans on their farms. These include subsurface fertilizer application, buffers, and cover crops to prevent soil erosion.

Mullinex said the Ohio EPA is leveraging funds to help affected communities make improvements without being overburdened by the expense of the improvements.

She said that the EPA has issued at least 112 grants to help communities make changes to their infrastructure to make sure their facilities and equipment are in good repair and last. She added that aging septic systems and water treatment plants have also benefited from grants available through the commission.

“We had a lot of support from the legislative assembly,” said Mullinex. “We have had a good turnout of farmers and we are coming up with new monitoring programs.”

Mullinex added the many fertilizer manufacturers have reduced the phosphorous levels in fertilizer for both farmers and lawn care companies. The reduction in phosphorous levels not only benefits Lake Erie, but it ultimately will benefit the Gulf of Mexico.    

As part of the program, more than 15,000 acres have been converted into wetlands, according to Andy Chow, Director of Communications for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

“Wetlands are built to clean water, capturing nutrients and sediment and filtering it out before the water enters the waterways,” said Chow. “These wetlands have native plants and trees that help filter out sediment. Wetlands help restore the natural infrastructure for water quality.”

Chow said not only are they seeing improved water quality from the wetlands, but they are seeing other benefits as well. He said ODNR staff also seeing an increase in habitat for fish and wildlife, and improved soil health.  

Another new project for the ODNR is the reestablishment of a new state tree nursery through the division of forestry.

Chow said the department’s initial tree nursery was closed down in about 2009. But the new tree nursery was established with the support and encouragement of Governor Mike DeWine. Chow said the tree nursery is focusing on hardwood species that are native to Ohio. Prior re-establishing the Buckeye Tree Nursery, Ohio was going out of state to obtain trees for their re-forestry projects, according to Chow. By establishing their own source for trees, they don’t have to go out of state to obtain seedlings. 

Chow said the ODNR is also partnering with the Girl Scouts of America to plant 250,000 trees by the end of 2026.  

For more information on COSI or to plan a visit, go to their website at http://cosi.org

roved soil health.  

Another new project for the ODNR is the reestablishment of a new state tree nursery through the division of forestry.

Chow said the department’s initial tree nursery was closed down in about 2009. But the new tree nursery was established with the support and encouragement of Governor Mike DeWine. Chow said the tree nursery is focusing on hardwood species that are native to Ohio. Prior re-establishing the Buckeye Tree Nursery, Ohio was going out of state to obtain trees for their re-forestry projects, according to Chow. By establishing their own source for trees, they don’t have to go out of state to obtain seedlings. 

Chow said the ODNR is also partnering with the Girl Scouts of America to plant 250,000 trees by the end of 2026.  

For more information on COSI or to plan a visit, go to their website at http://cosi.org