OH HB61

Prohibits surface application of nitrogen or phosphorous fertilizer in Lake Erie's western basin on snow-covered or frozen soil, saturated soil, or when precipitation exceeding 1 inch is forecasted within 12 hours; exempts injected, incorporated within 24 hours, or applied to growing crops.

Prohibits surface application of manure in the western basin under similar conditions (frozen/saturated soil, precipitation exceeding 0.5 inches in 24 hours) with same exemptions plus emergency exception with written consent from chief of soil and water resources division.

Establishes civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for fertilizer violations (Director of Agriculture) and up to $10,000 per 30-day period for manure violations (Division of Soil and Water Resources).

Requires publicly owned treatment works with design flow of 1 million gallons per day or more to begin monthly monitoring of total and dissolved phosphorous by December 1, 2016, and conduct optimization studies to evaluate ability to reduce phosphorous to 1 milligram per liter.

Regulates dredged material disposal in Maumee basin starting July 1, 2020, requiring director approval for confined disposal, beneficial use, beach nourishment, or habitat restoration projects; prohibits surface application of sewage sludge except in accordance with adopted rules.