Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio EPA on May 2nd, announced $1.7 million in grants for more than 30 municipalities and counties as part of the H2Ohio Rivers Program.  The grants are the first to be awarded under the new H2Ohio Rivers Chloride Reduction Grant program.

More than $1.12 million will help 22 local governments upgrade road salt equipment, and $569,000 will help nine local governments pay for upgrades or new construction for salt storage and loading areas that will help prevent over application of salt on Ohio roads and reduce runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes.

“Reducing the amount of road salt run off into our water supply is important,” Governor DeWine said. “That’s why we are putting H2Ohio dollars into the hands of governments and municipalities so they can have better equipment and storage for road salt management so there is less run off and more protection for our rivers and waterways.”

The H2Ohio Chloride Reduction Grant Program was announced in December 2023. When it launched, the state proposed to award approximately $1 million in funding; however, more funding was awarded as a result of the high demand.

“The response from Ohio communities to this new grant opportunity has been exciting,” Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel said. “We received more than 260 applications seeking more than $14 million in funding. We appreciate Governor DeWine’s willingness to dedicate H2Ohio funding to efforts designed to reduce salt runoff into our waterways, and we are committed to evaluating and funding the most effective practices.”

"We have worked hard to minimize the amount of deicers we need to use to achieve clear and safer roads in the winter,” Ohio Department of Transportation Director, Jack Marchbanks, said. “We applaud the Ohio EPA's efforts to help our local government partners implement many of these same measures."  

Equipment grants are being awarded to county or municipal governments in Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Hamilton (2 projects), Huron, Jefferson, Lake, Licking (2 projects), Lorain, Lucas, Marion, Montgomery (2 projects), Morgan, Portage, Richland, Shelby, Summit, and Tuscarawas counties.

Facility grants are being awarded to projects in Champaign, Columbiana, Huron, Jefferson, Lawrence, Madison, Ross, Williams, and Wood counties.

Among the items that qualified for funding were live-edge blades, salt spreader control systems, brine mixers, and structural upgrades to salt storage facilities to prevent ground water contamination. Municipalities, townships, counties, and other governmental agencies could apply for single grants of up to $75,000.

The City of Lorain was awarded a $55,000 grant for the purchase of two 1,200-gallon truck tanks with storm commander wireless controls.

“I want to thank Governor DeWine on behalf of the citizens of Lorain for this grant,” Lorain Mayor, Jack Bradley, said. “Not only will the money help us to make the roads safer in less time during snow events, but also help with environmental concerns with the elimination of excessive amounts of salt on our streets that often end up in our storm water. Communities throughout Ohio will benefit from this proactive funding from our Governor and lawmakers.”

H2Ohio is Governor DeWine’s statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waters. Launched in 2019, H2Ohio uses a comprehensive approach guided by science and data to reduce algal blooms, stop pollution, and improve access to clean drinking water by supporting best farming practices, road salt runoff reduction, litter cleanup, dam removal, land conservation, and water infrastructure revitalization. For more information visit h2.ohio.gov