Lake Erie algae woes heard

PORT CLINTON — As the general manager of a marina in Ottawa County’s Catawba Island Township, Jack Madison saw a recurring theme during last summer’s algae outbreak along the Lake Erie shore.

“Mothers kept their kids [and people kept their dogs] out of the water ... It is important that people don’t view Lake Erie as a place to stay away from,” said Mr. Madison, one of dozens to hear testimony and react Friday in a standing-room-only hearing from scientists, environmental advocates and state officials.

The hearing at the Lake Erie Islands Regional Welcome Center on St. Rte. 53 was assembled Friday by members of the Ohio House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee to address the harmful algae blooms that plagued Western Lake Erie late last summer and how to best combat them in the future.

Speakers gave their testimony to the committee surrounded by the center’s large replica of the Marblehead Lighthouse, mounted walleye and brochures for the area’s fishing, camping and boating attractions.

There have been annual outbreaks of algae in Lake Erie’s western basin since 1995, however, last summer’s outbreak was especially acute. Legislators Friday vowed to take action by springtime to help avoid an escalating problem next year.

Tourism drives the economy in northern Ohio’s coastal counties that includes Lucas County, bringing in an excess of $10 million last year, lake authorities said.

As a reminder to the problem at hand that could potentially kill economic progress, a jar of dark, greenish, algae-filled water sat on the front table during the hearing.

The green stuff is costly: it hurts property values, hurts tourism and drives up the cost of water treatment, officials said.

Lake Erie is the shallowest and warmest Great Lake, explained Jeff Reutter, director of Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory on Gibraltar Island near Put-in-Bay and director of the Center for Lake Erie Area Research. It also has more cropland surrounding it than any other Great Lake; agriculture is the primary source of the phosphorus runoff that causes the blooms, although storm water runoff and lawn fertilizer are factors as well.

Mr. Reutter put forth numerous recommendations, including farms eliminating fall and winter applications of fertilizer and manure, not applying phosphorus above the level of agronomic need and not applying fertilizer when rain is forecast within 48 hours.

Joe Logan, director of environmental programs for the Ohio Environmental Council, suggested a certification system for those who apply fertilizer, with a fee system that encourages application in a way less likely to contribute to runoff.

Larry Antosch, senior director for policy development and environmental policy at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation said his group supports legislation that provides “safe harbor” for farmers who follow “industry accepted practices for nutrient management” and encouraged further research. He said, “Ohio agriculture is willing to do its part.”

Activist Sandy Bihn, the Lake Erie waterkeeper from Oregon and an Oregon City Council member said measuring and monitoring is imperative to see where changes in nutrient levels occur. She said it was particularly important to monitor sources of “algae food” such as the sludge from Detroit’s wastewater treatment plant.

Also speaking were Jim Zehringer, new head of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and previous director of the Department of Agriculture, and Ohio EPA Director Scott Nally.

Mr. Zehringer said his single biggest concern as ODNR director was Lake Erie.

Several members of the public testified a clean lake was critical to their businesses and livelihoods.

Bruce Roberts said his Harbor North charter boat facility in Huron draws customers from as far as Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia.

“I can’t tell you how important taking action on cleaning the lake is going to be,” he said.

Also testifying was Cedar Point General Manager John Hildebrandt. Calling algae blooms a “serious problem” he explained, “A lot of our visitors come to the park because of the appeal of the lake.”

State Rep. Dennis Murray (D., Sandusky) said he would support legislation being passed and signed by the Governor by the spring. “I don’t think we can afford to wait,” he said.

Action could involve regulation within state agencies, legislation or voluntary changes to farming practices, said State Rep. Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green).

About 75 members of the public or tourism industry attended the hearing. Ray and Barb Gall, lakefront residents at Reno Beach in Jerusalem Township and boater enthusiasts, said they were encouraged by what they heard at the hearing and the broad cross-section of testimony, which ranged from scientific, to economic to personal.

“People need to know the seriousness of this,” said Mrs. Gall.

Contact Kate Giammarise at: kgiammarise@theblade.com or 419-724-6091.