Ohio Director of Natural Resources
| Ohio Director of Natural Resources | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $185,016 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $626,398,832 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the governor |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Ohio Director of Natural Resources
Mary Mertz | |
| Other Ohio Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Ohio Director of Natural Resources is a cabinet-level executive position in the Ohio state government. The director is responsible for managing the development and use of the state's natural resources. The director is a nonpartisan appointee of the governor.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Ohio Director of Natural Resources is Mary Mertz (nonpartisan). Mertz assumed office in 2018.
Authority
The department of natural resources and the position of director were created by an act of the state legislature in 1949.[1]
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications for this office. General qualifications to hold a statewide, constitutionally authorized office are outlined in Article VX, Section 4 of the Ohio Constitution:
- resident of Ohio
- a qualified elector
- at least 18 years old
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No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this state unless possessed of the qualifications of an elector.[2] |
Appointments
The director of natural resources is appointed by, and serves as the pleasure of, the governor.[3]
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy in the office, the governor will appoint a successor.[2]
Duties
- See Energy policy in Ohio for information on the state's energy portfolio and goals.
The director is responsible for developing and implementing long-range planning and programming for the use and development of Ohio's natural resources. Chapter 1501.01 of the Ohio State Code outlines many of the administrative powers and duties of the director:[3]
- manages 590,000 acres of state land, including 74 state parks, 20 state forests, 133 nature preserves, and 138 wildlife areas
- manages 120,000 acres of inland waters, 7,000 miles of streams, 481 miles of the Ohio River, and 2.25 million acres of Lake Erie
- licenses hunting, fishing, and watercraft operating licenses
- oversees and monitors mineral extraction and dam safety
- maps the state's geological structures and mineral resources
- promotes recycling and litter prevention through grant programs in local communities
Divisions
- Updated January 26, 2021
- Engineering
- Forestry
- Geological Survey
- Mineral Resources Management
- Natural Areas & Preserves
- Oil & Gas Resources
- Water Resources
- Wildlife
- Coastal Management
- Real Estate & Land Management
- Ohio State Parks & Watercraft[4]
State budget
- See also: Ohio state budget and finances
The budget for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Fiscal Year 2025 was $626,398,832.[5]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $185,016, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $179,629, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2021
In 2021, the director received a salary of $172,723, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2020
In 2020, the director received a salary of $174,678, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2019
In 2019, the director received a salary of $169,998, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2018
In 2018, the director received a salary of $144,061, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, the director received a salary of $137,113, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, the director received a salary of $137,113, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the director received a salary of $127,400, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the director received a salary of $127,400, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, the director was paid an estimated $127,400. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[16]
2012
In 2012, the director was paid an estimated $127,400, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Ohio Director of Natural Resources has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
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Contact information
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
2045 Morse Road
Columbus, OH 43229-6693
Phone: 614-265-6565
See also
| Ohio | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ohio Department of Natural Resources, "A History and Purpose," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Ohio Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Ohio," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ohio Revised Code, "Chapter 1501: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES - GENERAL PROVISIONS," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Ohio Department of Natural Resources, "Our Divisions," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ The Ohio Legislature, "Amended Substitute House Bill 33," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 26, 2021
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed January 26, 2021
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