(June 6, 2025) -- “Late last night, Ohio lawmakers passed a state budget that drastically cuts funding for a popular and effective clean water program that was started by Governor DeWine.
The Ohio House and Senate passed a budget bill that slashes funding of H2Ohio, the state’s clean water program, by nearly 40 percent. The bill now heads to the Governor to be signed into law.
We’re entering summer algal bloom season. Not long ago, harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie caused half a million Ohioans to lose access to safe and clean drinking water. Thanks to H2Ohio, the state has made progress to reduce agricultural runoff from entering waterways, expand access to clean water across the state, and restore wetlands that keep water clean while providing habitat for vulnerable birds and other wildlife. The severity of Western Lake Erie’s Algal Blooms is trending downward, according to a new report from NOAA, but this progress is at risk of stalling or backsliding.
The budget bill also takes away the ability for H2Ohio dollars to be used to permanently protect land that helps ensure healthy and sustainable watersheds for communities. Governor DeWine should veto this short-sighted provision.
This is a move in the wrong direction for Ohio. While we are disappointed in this outcome, we are steadfast in our certainty that birds and people all share a need for clean water. We thank Audubon members for speaking out on this issue and we look forward to continuing to work with Ohio legislators on policy solutions that support clean water for all that depend on it across the state."
About Audubon Great Lakes
Audubon Great Lakes is a regional office of Audubon, learn more at gl.audubon.org.
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety
