State Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, and State Rep. Lynn Wachtmann, R-Napoleon, announced the passage of the Great Lakes Compact enabling legislation, which recognizes Northern Ohio’s valuable fresh water as a job creating economic asset, while meeting Ohio’s duty under the Compact to provide for reasonable management of the waters of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River Basin.

As the Ohio Senate Majority appointee to the Compact Advisory Board,  Grendell worked with then Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Sean Logan and the twenty-seven other members of the Board on recommendations for the enabling legislation.

Grendell said this legislation will (1) promote and encourage voluntary water consumption conservation practices; and (2) establish a reasonable regulatory process that recognizes the value of fresh water as an asset to be both promoted and managed.

“Lake Erie is one of Northern Ohio’s greatest assets for attracting jobs and new businesses. Environmental activists have spread much misinformation about this legislation," Grendell said. "This bill still prevents Lake Erie water from being taken out of Ohio.

The bill was passed by The Ohio House on June 22 and now goes to Governor Kasich for his consideration.

-- John Arthur Hutchison | JHutchison@News-Herald.com | @newsheraldjah