Statement From The OEC On Attorney General Dewine’s Support Of Rescinding The Waters Of The United States Rule

Columbus, OH — Today, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced his support of an effort to rescind the 2015 Waters of the United States rule. The following statement can be attributed in full, or in part, to Heather Taylor-Miesle, Executive Director of the Ohio Environmental Council:

“Each of Ohio’s waterways play a part to ensure Ohioans have access to safe drinking water and recreational opportunities like swimming, fishing, and boating.

“The Attorney General’s decision is misguided in that it offers less protections for Ohio’s waterways, putting Ohioans’ drinking water at risk. Approximately, 90 percent of Ohioans rely on rivers and streams for their drinking water.

“It is ironic Attorney General DeWine’s statement comes at a time when much of Lake Erie – a body of water that supplies drinking water for 11 million people – is in crisis due to toxic algae. Toledoans remember all too well what happens when you can’t drink the water coming out of the tap, and we can’t afford to see that type of crisis again. We need to do more, not less, to protect our water.”