OH HB231

Establishes a new permit program administered by the chief of the division of soil and water resources for withdrawals and consumptive uses from the Lake Erie watershed, with specific thresholds: 5 million gallons per day for Lake Erie or streams under its influence, 2 million gallons per day for other sources, and 300,000 gallons per day for high quality waters with drainage areas under 100 square miles.

Creates the water resources review commission with five members appointed by the governor to hear appeals of permit decisions, with expertise required in economic development, water resource management, and water law.

Exempts certain facilities from permit requirements including baseline facilities at historical capacity levels, facilities purchasing water from public systems, facilities with federal or state regulation, and facilities responding to emergencies or humanitarian crises.

Establishes irrebuttable presumptions that withdrawals causing less than 1.5% consumptive use from Lake Erie sources or less than 0.75% from other sources will not cause significant adverse impacts, except for high quality waters.

Amends sections 1501.32, 1501.33, 1521.04, 1522.03, and 1522.05 of the Revised Code and repeals section 1522.07, with application fees of $1,000 credited to the water management fund.