Panel named to work on Lake Erie issues

SANDUSKY — Leaders of the Ohio General Assembly announced a new "Toward a Cleaner Lake Erie" working group, and two local lawmakers are on it.The group, bipartisan but heavily weighted toward Republicans, includes state Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, and state Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Sandusky. Both men have districts that include Lake Erie and have been heavily involved in Lake Erie issues.The group has 10 Republicans and four Democrats and is supposed to study issues and challenges dealing with the long-term health of Lake Erie. The group is scheduled to host its first meeting at 1 p.m. August 28 in the Senate Finance hearing room in the Ohio Statehouse.Ohio Senate president Larry Obhof, R-Medina, and House Speaker Ryan Smith, R-Bidwell, announced the group's members. Obhof and his daughters participated in last Tuesday's "Fish Ohio" event in the Port Clinton area.Members of the Ohio Senate in the group, besides Gardner, are Bob Peterson, R-Washington Court House; Bob Hackett, R-London; Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls; Rob McColley, R-Napoleon; Edna Brown, D-Toledo, and Michael Skindell, D-Lakewood.House members, in addition to Arndt, are Brian Hill, R-Zanesville; Kyle Koehler, R-Springfield; Jim Hoops, R-Napoleon; Riordan McClain, R-Upper Sandusky; John Patterson, D-Jefferson, and Michael Sheehy, D-Oregon.Hackett and Hill will be the co-chairmen.Leaders of the legislature announced plans for the group, saying more study was needed when they criticized Gov. John Kasich for issuing an executive order seeking to impose new regulations on farmers in eight key watersheds feeding into the Maumee River."A healthy Lake Erie is directly tied to the success and health of our state," Hackett said. "The members of this group are focused on evaluating the effectiveness of steps we've taken so far, as well as making sure we have the best information possible on issues and practices that will help ensure a vibrant lake and clean water for all.""Ensuring the safety and health of Lake Erie is a priority shared by the agricultural community and the legislature alike, and this working group will be an opportunity to hear from farmers and other interested parties to determine the best pathway forward," said Hill.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.Sen. Randy Gardner Rep. Steve Arndt.