Finally, Ohio politicians are seeing green – specifically, the viridescent undulating microcystis aeruginosabiomasses that plague the western basin of Lake Erie every summer.
A unanimous tsunami of votes in both the state House and Senate has passed two bills to reduce the runoff of fertilizer and livestock manure that helps fuel these toxic algal blooms.
Both bills would close a loophole that now allows some smaller farmers to spread manure and fertilizer on frozen or saturated ground and would require water-treatment plants to monitor monthly phosphorus discharges.
But there should be a wider focus. Gov. John Kasich needs to take a break from presidential campaigning to convene a summit on Lake Erie that involves Michigan and Canada. Kasich could start by implementing recommendations in the state’s 2012 nutrient and water quality report. The report recommended designating the western Lake Erie basin as a "Critical Natural Resource" that requires a comprehensive nutrient management plan.
The report suggests paying for the plan with more collaboration, data-sharing, public-private partnerships, reprogramming of existing money and gradual implementation. However, Kasich should look at adding money in the biennial budget as well as seeking more from federal and private sources.
It is too late to stop the 2015 blooms – and that sad fact underscores the urgency of effective, efficient and comprehensive action to address this growing threat to public health.
