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Read MoreExactly one year after the Lake Erie Bill of Rights was challenged by a northwest Ohio farmer, U.S. District Court Judge Jack Zouhary ruled decisively that LEBOR was invalid.
LEBOR, passed by Toledo voters in 2019, attempted to give legal rights to Lake Erie and to give Toledoans authority to file lawsuits on behalf of the lake.
The day after the measure passed, Wood County farmer Mark Drewes filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of LEBOR.
With the ruling, Judge Zouhary noted that the verdict was not a close call. He stated that “LEBOR is unconstitutionally vague and exceeds the power of municipal government in Ohio. It is therefore invalid in its entirety.”
“It is as clear today as it was one year ago that LEBOR was invalid and counterproductive to the real measures being taken for clean water in Ohio,” said Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp. “We commend Mark Drewes for taking on this battle on behalf of farmers throughout the Lake Erie Watershed and we appreciate Judge Zouhary’s thoughtful verdict on this important issue.”
The City of Toledo’s aggressive defense of LEBOR has kept farmers in the watershed in limbo for over a year. As Judge Zouhary pointed out, even the simple act of planting corn or irrigating a field could have violated the vague terms of LEBOR.
Sharp said he hopes this decision can place the focus back on the efforts Ohio farmers are making to be part of the solution to water quality challenges.
Ohio Farm Bureau also recognizes the significant legal work of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease who handled the case for Mr. Drewes. “We are happy the Court vindicated our client’s clear constitutional rights. As the Court told the City of Toledo in the opinion, it was not a close call,” said lawyer Tom Fusonie.
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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