Some lawmakers believe Ohio’s water quality is in danger because of a provision added to this year’s budget.
Earlier this year, lawmakers approved a measure that would let landowners near water reservoirs chop and trim in buffer zones. These are the strips of land with trees, bushes and grass that can catch harmful runoff.
Democratic Representative David Leland of Columbus says landowners believe this makes the area look nicer.
“And that may be true but those things were there for a purpose, those things were there to protect the drinking water and that has to have number one priority," said Leland.
Leland has introduced a bill to stop landowners from touching the municipality owned buffer zones.
Andy Chow at the Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau.
