State Budget Adds Environment Amendment

In action on the state budget bill, the Senate this week passed an amendment for which the OMA advocated that would eliminate the fees associated with alternative daily cover (ADC). ADC is material placed on an active waste landfill at the end of each operating day. Removing the fees associated with ADC helps create a stronger market for materials used as ADC.

Another item that was expected to be included in the amendment, but was not, unfortunately, is a provision regarding total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). An amendment was submitted that outlined Ohio’s statutory procedure (described here by OMA environmental counsel Frank Merrill of Bricker & Eckler) for establishing limits for a body of water. The amendment was the product of several meetings between regulators and interested parties. There is speculation that the amendment will yet be included during the upcoming conference committee. 6/22/2017