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Guardians of Grand Lake St. Marys,
247 E. Sycamore St.,
Columbus, OH  43206

ODA Director takes questions in Celina, OH

3/5/2019

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ad the pleasure of meeting the new Ohio Director of Agriculture in Celina, Ohio. I asked, “how could an advocate for clean water evaluate the progress of the state’s manure management in Ohio’s only distressed watershed, Grand Lake St. Mary, especially since the manure management plans which are paid with federal and state tax dollars, are not allowed to be viewed by the public. This is a result of legislation passed while she was in the legislature.” She did not answer. I asked again and again she didn’t answer the question. When she asked for suggestions, I explained that advocates for Lake Erie are wanting a TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load), however, the Grand Lake watershed has had a TMDL since 2007 and it has done absolutely nothing for GLSM because it was never implemented. Since it identified the sources of the lake pollution and had the recommendations of how to stop the pollution, it would be great if the State of Ohio would implement the existing Grand Lake St. Marys TMDL and update it as required by law.

I was surprised by the individual (a farmer) who stated that he considers his manure management plan his private business plan. To him I say, “Dear sir, if you want your business plan to remain private, I suggest you use your private dollars to pay for it and not state and federal taxpayers money to pay for it.”

Now to Mr Homan, of Chickasaw, I greatly appreciate your and Teresa’s invitation to sit down and discuss the current activities and attitudes in our watershed. I also appreciate you warning me that there are some radical thinking farmers in the watershed who have relayed that if the current attitudes don’t change that farmers have discussed shutting down all water coming into the lake. Frankly, Mr Holman and Teresa I don’t think you should be concerned with that threat. Those offering this radical solution is no solution at all. Besides I truly don’t believe those farmers have the nerve, the power nor the intelligence to pull off such an action. I think your suggestion for us to sit down and find common ground is a much better solution and much more productive.

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    Author
    Kate Anderson-

    Serves as President and Director of Guardians of the Grand Lake St. Marys.

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Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio