Budget hearing on House Bill 96 spotlights H2Ohio, forestry, parks, landfill fees and invasive-species funding requests

Witnesses at a House Natural Resources Committee budget hearing on House Bill 96 testified across a range of natural-resource priorities, emphasizing continued funding for water-quality programs, the Division of Forestry, state parks and a suite of targeted needs — including a $500,000 request to fight hydrilla at Mosquito Lake.

The Nature Conservancy and other conservation groups and industry witnesses told the committee the H2Ohio program and related clean-water investments remain a priority. Rebecca Molino of The Nature Conservancy said H2Ohio “is definitely a critical, program. It really helps water quality,” and noted the program has supported creation, restoration or enhancement of more than 16,000 acres of wetlands that filter water from more than 90,000 acres in linked watersheds. TNC also highlighted budget items to repair failing home sewage systems, replace lead service lines and fund riparian corridor protection and dam removals.

Forestry funding and nursery capacity drew extended testimony. Jenna Reese of the Ohio Forestry Association said Ohio has “nearly 8,000,000 acres of forests … 30% of total land use in the state,” and that 85% of those forests are privately owned; she urged support for Division of Forestry service foresters and the Buckeye State Tree Nursery in Zanesville to meet seedling demand. Danielle Yossi of the Ohio Forestry Advisory Council and Dr. Beck Schwab of Holden Forest and Gardens also urged funding…