Another fantastic Ohio Water Partnership Annual Meeting and Reception was held on March 24th. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended and generously sponsored the event.
The program commenced with an enlightening presentation by Taylor Abbott, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Ohio River Commission. Abbott provided an overview of the commission’s initiatives and ongoing efforts to address water-related challenges in the region.
Continuing the Ohio River theme, Craig Butler, the Executive Director of the MWCD and former Chair of the Ohio River Basin Alliance, delved into the significance of federal legislation. He discussed the Ohio River Restoration Act and a resolution in the Ohio Senate, SCR19 (Wilkin), aimed at encouraging swift passage of the federal act.
Tony Long of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce made an exciting announcement about a new water study. The study, funded by the Chamber’s foundation and conducted by OWP-member Deloitte, aims to provide valuable insights into water-related issues. OWP will actively participate in promoting the study’s findings and outcomes once it is completed.
The educational portion of the program concluded with an update on the H2Ohio Program from Ohio EPA Director John Logue. Logue shared the progress and achievements of the program, highlighting its impact on improving water quality across the state.
To conclude the event, we presented our inaugural Ohio Water Partnership Leadership Award to Governor Mike DeWine. The award recognized his unwavering commitment and ‘whole-of-government’ approach to enhancing water quality in Ohio. Governor DeWine’s leadership in establishing the H2Ohio Program has set a new standard for addressing water quality challenges from the public sector, positioning Ohio as a national leader in this field.