The official in charge of protecting Ohioâs streams and lakes has been asked to step down because of what he describes as pressure from the coal industry. Long- time head of the division of surface water, George Elmaraghy, told employees in an email that he was asked to resign by the Gov. John Kasich and Ohio EPA director Scott Nally, effective September 13. Elmaraghy has been with the agency 38 years according to former co-worker Jed Thorp. Thorp now works for the Sierra Club, but spent 5 years in the surface water division under Elmaragy.
I think in the short term, Georgeâs resignation could probably been seen as a victory for the coal industry.
"Itâs my expectation that if this is why George was asked to step down theyâre going to replace him with someone who is more amenable to what the coal industry wants to see done.â? Elmaraghyâs letter says âThere has been considerable pressure from the coal companies over the last year for the division to accommodate the industryâs needsâ¦â? Ohio EPA spokeswoman Carol Hestor declined to comment on why Elmaraghy was asked to resign, but she says permits to impact waterways have sufficient review. âWe simply want people to understand that the checks and balances that are part of the permitting process are in effect here as in any other situation involving a permitter action of the agency.â? The outgoing Elmaraghyâs letter says he believes the coal industryâs interpretation of the federal Clean Water Act and state water pollution laws has made it difficult for the division to protect Ohioâs streams.