State Representative Jim Buchy
Lake Facilities Authority- A Structure of Local Decision Making 

For the past three years, the state of Ohio and local citizens of the Grand Lake St. Marys region have been working tirelessly to improve the condition of the lake and watershed. To-date, many measures have been taken, both by the state and federal governments and the people in the impacted areas of the lake and watershed. 

The state government is committed to restoring the lake and improving the watershed. It is no accident that Governor John Kasich tapped Grand Lake St. Marys area native Jim Zehringer to serve first as the Director of Agriculture and now the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The state is committed to partnering with the local people to improve water conditions at Ohio’s largest inland lake. Steps have been taken over the past three years including Alum treatments, building of artificial wetlands, and rough fish removal. The people have taken the state of the lake seriously as well, so much so that aerators have been purchased and installed privately by local people. 

In the watershed, farmers have been helpful as the federal and state government assisted in the creation of comprehensive nutrient management plans and the construction of manure holding facilities. We have witnessed a revolution in farming practices that demonstrate a local commitment to this issue. The team of local people, the state and the federal government is working in tandem; introducing the Lake Facilities Authority (LFA) with a sound voter-controlled structure will enhance the efforts. 

In addition to state and federal involvement, local people have asked for more authority in the process of restoration. The LFA gives the decision making abilities to locally elected officials that the people know and trust. It ensures that the citizens know where their hard earned dollars go for the projects on the lake and watershed. The Lake Facilities Authority allows the state and local governments to work together to ensure that the lake and watershed is repaired.             

The structure is such that the problems in the lake and watershed are addressed thoroughly by a method that is transparent and well managed. A board of directors includes a combination of all county commissioners in impacted counties. The members of the board of directors will make decisions regarding rules, tax levies and grant dollars.  They will have authority to direct lake restoration activities. An advisory council, consisting of one appointed representative from each township and municipality, will consult with the board of directors regarding decisions at the lake. The engineer of each impacted county is responsible for mapping out the lake watershed. 

The Lake Facilities Authority has a Fiscal Officer, who is the county auditor from the county with the largest portion of the watershed and ensures sound money management of the allocated dollars. It also has a legal advisor, who is the prosecuting attorney from the county with the largest portion of the watershed. The LFA is designed to ensure that the people of the Grand Lake St. Marys region are properly represented on the issues dealing with the lake and watershed. It is important that this issue is handled at the local level, where the people know the lake and watershed region best. The LFA is included in the biennial budget bill, HB 59, and remains subject to change. 

This is an issue that needs attention. I appreciate hearing from you regarding the most important issues of the day. Please inform me of your opinion on current topics by completing a survey at tinyurl.com/buchyjune. Thank you for your continued communication, your feedback helps guide the legislative priorities.