Fewer than 9 percent of a city’s registered voters just passed the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, which declares that Toledoans have legal authority over some 5 million Ohioans, more than 430,000 businesses, thousands of local governments and tens of…
Lake Erie Bill of Rights
On Feb. 26, 2019, citizens in the city of Toledo amended their city charter to include the “Lake Erie Bill of Rights” (LEBOR). The Lake Erie Bill of Rights, or LEBOR, states that Lake Erie, and the Lake Erie Watershed, has the right to “exist, flourish and naturally evolve…” and gives any Toledoan the right to file a lawsuit on the lake’s behalf against any business in the Lake Erie Watershed.
Ohio Farm Bureau is staying abreast of this issue and will be posting updates as they are known.
Farmers are encouraged to enroll in an agricultural district. The ag district program provides an affirmative defense for farmers in certain types of nuisance lawsuits. While it is not certain this defense will apply in LEBOR cases, it is one of the best and most underutilized tools in agriculture. Enroll in an ag district via the county auditor. Learn more.
Lynn Snyder - April 4
Legal with Leah: LEBOR update
There have been many developments on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) front since the law was passed by Toledo voters. In the latest Legal with Leah, Ty Higgins visits with Ohio Farm Bureau’s Policy Council Leah Curtis about…
Joe Cornely - March 27
Injunction pauses enforcement of LEBOR
Editor’s Note: Below is an update from Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp regarding the next development in a Wood County farmer’s lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights: For several weeks…
Farm Bureau to support farmer’s legal action against Lake Erie Bill of Rights
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation has pledged its support to member and Wood County farmer Mark Drewes, who today filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality and legal status of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights. Toledo voters yesterday approved creation of…
Ag districts provide defense for farmers
With the Feb. 26 special election on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights looming in the city of Toledo, Ohio Farm Bureau is encouraging farmers to enroll their operations in an agricultural district. OFBF Policy Counsel and Senior Director of Member…
The Lake Erie Bill of Rights Ballot Initiative
Ohio State University Extension Agricultural and Resource Law Program has compiled a publication that explains the proposed Lake Erie Bill of Rights, which is shared on the program’s Ag Law Blog. This new “In the Weeds” in-depth resource answers questions…
Amanda Domsitz - Jan. 29Legal With Leah: Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) Update
Toledo voters will soon decide whether farmers can be sued by Lake Erie. In this update of the Lake Erie Bill of rights on Legal with Leah, Farm Bureau Policy Counsel Leah Curtis says the court has ruled the measure…
Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) on February special election ballot
**UPDATE: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights appearing on the Toledo special election ballot Feb. 26. Here is a Jan. 29 Legal with Leah update from Leah Curtis. You could be sued by…
Amanda Domsitz - Jan. 17
Legal With Leah: Lake Erie Bill of Rights
UPDATE: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) appearing on the Toledo special election ballot. OFBF will provide updates as they become available. You could be sued….. by Lake Erie. Farm Bureau…
Amanda Domsitz - Oct. 15, 2018Legal With Leah: Lake Erie Rights Court Ruling
Two wins occurred on the legal front for farmers who faced potentially troubling rulings dealing with agriculture and water quality. Farm Bureau policy counsel Leah Curtis shares the good news. Some excerpts: Joe Cornely: There have been two recent developments…