The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources is being flat funded for the next two years in the state budget. Funding will stay at the same level it was in 2022, despite rising costs. We need to stress how critical it is to adequately fund ODNR to maintain our state parks, including Grand Lake St. Marys.
House Bill 33 has already passed in the House and is being sent to the Senate. It will affect all state parks, park facilities, camping, lakes and recreation areas throughout the entire state:
– Fewer officers to complete the work
– Inability to maintain buildings
– Less services for the public
– Wildlife programs affected
– Infrastructure in the parks
– Dredging program
– Water quality
Representatives Angie King and Susan Manchester voted “no” to HB33. Jon Cross (represents Indian Lake) and Tim Barhorst (represents Lake Loramie) voted to approve. You can see the vote breakdown here: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/135/hb33/votes
You can enter your address to see your representatives here: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/members/district-maps
Then, you can easily send a quick email to let them know how you feel. We need to contact our senators and let them know to support our great Ohio parks. Here is Matt Huffman’s (District 12, which covers Grand Lake) contact information: https://ohiosenate.gov/members/matt-huffman/contact
Michael Emans is going to represent the LIA and present our statement at the May 10th Senate budget hearing, as are several people from the Indian Lake Improvement Association. If you wish to prepare a written or in-person testimony, please contact Judy Gross at 740-404-9611. We must declare our intent to testify two days in advance, so please act fast!