Lake Erie Foundation is deeply concerned and disappointed by the 39% cut to the 2026–2027 H2Ohio budget. These drastic reductions threaten to undo years of progress that Ohioans, state agencies, and local communities have worked so hard to achieve. The H2Ohio programs led by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Ohio EPA have delivered real, measurable results—restoring wetlands in Northwest Ohio, improving water quality, and protecting drinking water for communities across our state. Slashing this support now jeopardizes those gains and puts the future of Lake Erie at risk.
Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) budget is being cut by 12%, from $60 million in 2025 to $53 million in 2026—and much of this funding will be shifted away from the 14 original priority counties in Northwest Ohio. This means Northwest Ohio, where the need is greatest, will likely see a significant drop in support for farmers working to reduce nutrient runoff. Cutting resources at the very moment when momentum is building will have long-lasting consequences for Lake Erie and the communities and businesses that depend on it.
If Ohio must do more with less, then every dollar must deliver maximum impact. That means prioritizing high-phosphorus fields that contribute the greatest share of runoff fueling harmful algal blooms. There is evidence that a fully voluntary approach may not be enough to reach these fields, and we urge the state to ensure accountability while respecting the confidentiality of participating farmers.
Restoring Lake Erie is not a one-time project—it demands sustained investment, steady leadership, and a commitment to seeing it through. The Ohio General Assembly must honor the promise of H2Ohio and protect the progress we’ve made together. Lake Erie’s health is moving in the right direction, but now is the worst possible time to reverse course.
Ohio’s families, farmers, and businesses deserve clean water, thriving communities, and a Lake Erie that future generations can enjoy. We urge our leaders to restore full funding for H2Ohio and keep this critical work on track. The future of our lake—and the people who depend on it—are worth it.
