Forty-seven years after Ohio EPA was founded, progress is tangible, fishable and breathable – cleveland.com

I started working for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in 1974. Very soon, I discovered the depth of the environmental and political challenges that were facing the agency; Ohio waters and air were in bad shape. Yet, Gov. James Rhodes, who was running for re-election that year, claimed that the Ohio EPA was exceeding its authority and he made putting Ohio EPA under control a major theme of his campaign.

As we celebrate the 47th anniversary of the creation of the Ohio EPA -- created on Oct. 23, 1972 -- our air is safe to breathe most the time. Not all our streams and lakes are fishable and swimmable, but at least they are not flammable. The majority of our citizens feel that protecting our environment is an important goal and they deplore politicians who blame environmental protection for all our ills.

Despite this progress, Ohio still has great environmental challenges ahead. However, l dont have any doubt in my mind that Ohio EPA and its staff will continue to overcome technical and political obstacles that may arise, as they always did. Having these challenges should not stop us from celebrating the progress we have achieved and acknowledging the unsung heroes who dedicated their careers to protecting the health and welfare of the people of Ohio.

George A. Elmaraghy,

Columbus

George A. Elmaraghy served as chief of the surface water division of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency among a number of other state government positions.

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Forty-seven years after Ohio EPA was founded, progress is tangible, fishable and breathable - cleveland.com