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COLUMBUS, Ohio — As NOAA and partner agencies release their 2025 Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast predicting a mild to moderate algal bloom season of 2-4, water quality experts are highlighting the critical role of Ohio's H2Ohio program in keeping the problem from worsening. The forecast comes amid legislative debate over proposed budget cuts to the state's flagship water quality initiative.

"H2Ohio is demonstrating that science-based solutions work," said Gail Hesse, Great Lakes water program director at the National Wildlife Federation. "Continued investment in agricultural best practices and wetland restoration is essential to seeing long-term improvement in Lake Erie's water quality."

The region is not meeting pollution reduction goals to protect the drinking water, public health, jobs, and way of life for millions of people in Ohio.  This forecast is a reminder that conservation practices funded by H2Ohio are needed more than ever and now is not the time to scale back. Practices funded by H2Ohio have helped mitigate what could have been a more severe bloom forecast.

H2Ohio has supported more than 3,200 farms in implementing nutrient management plans, funded 183 wetland projects to naturally filter runoff, and accelerated lead pipe replacements in historically marginalized communities.

The Ohio House-passed budget (HB 96) proposes significant cuts to H2Ohio funding, which could slow adoption of farm conservation practices, delay wetland construction projects, and reduce lead pipe replacement efforts.