Update on Lake Erie Nutrient and Algal Issues Gail Hesse Ohio Lake Erie Commission March 30, 2012

August 11 2011 1330 cfs Photo: NOAA Satellite Image

October 9, 2011 Photo: NOAA Satellite Image

Microcystis near Marblehead October 9, 2011 Photo: Richard Kraus, United States Geological Survey

Algal Toxins Microcystin Anatoxin-a, Saxitoxin, Cylindrospermopsin World Health Organization benchmark criteria 1 ppb for drinking water 20 ppb for recreational contact Anatoxin-a, Saxitoxin, Cylindrospermopsin

Public Water System Cyanotoxin No detections in finished water 2011 Source (raw) water detection in 9 PWS Systems: Marblehead Sandusky Camp Patmos Put In Bay LE Utilities Oregon Toledo Carroll Township Ottawa County

Recent & Current Activities Lake Erie P Task Force Phase I, Phase II State of Ohio HAB Response Strategy Lake Erie Millennium Network Directors’ Agricultural Nutrients & Water Quality Working Group Directors’ Point Source/Urban Work Group Nutrient Reduction Strategy Framework for Ohio Waters - Draft

Key Findings NW Ohio: commercial fertilizer dominates land application More fall preparation of seed beds, more fall and winter application Changing methods: more broadcast application without incorporation Unknown and uncertain use of soil tests and adherence with recommendations Changes in drainage, weather patterns 10

3 Categories of Recommendations Priority practices Key issues: amount, timing, incorporation, management of field runoff No single practice will result in lower nutrient runoff Tools to quantify edge of field runoff potential Research

State of Ohio HAB Strategy Monitoring protocols and advisories Addresses: Beach advisories Public drinking water Under revision for 2012 www.ohioalgaeinfo.com

Ohio State Park Beach Algae Advisory Postings No Contact Advisory Avoid all contact Public Health Advisory Avoid direct contact with water Bloom Advisory Avoid ingestion, direct contact with visible scum

2011 Lake Erie Advisories Maumee Bay State Park: Public Health Advisory Lake Erie (Battery Park): Algal Bloom Advisory Sandusky: Algal Bloom Advisory

Directors’ Agricultural Nutrients and Water Quality Working Group Ohio EPA, Ohio DNR and ODA Focus on voluntary actions: 4Rs Right fertilizer, Right rate, Right time, Right placement Coordinate funding, research Focus: edge of field, tile management Develop/expand authorities Habitual bad actors Nutrient Management Plans

P Task Force Phase II Build on lessons learned from Phase I Incorporate findings of current research Millennium Synthesis Team Funded by Ohio Lake Erie Commission and GLNPO Report: 14 June 2011 Focus on: Management actions Recommendations from Directors’ Working Group Reduction goal/target

Lake Erie Protection Fund The primary source of revenue generated for the Lake Erie Protection Fund comes from the sales from the Lake Erie License Plate Program. Each plate sale represents a $15.00 donation to the Lake Erie Protection Fund which is used to award grants from this Fund. Since the inception of this program in Spring 1993, we are proud to announce that Ohioans have donated over $9.3 million to the Lake Erie Protection Fund by purchasing or renewing a Lake Erie License Plate each year. On an average, each year over 20,000 license plates are displayed on Ohio vehicles which gives our citizens the opportunity to personally help preserve and protect Lake Erie and truly show how they support Lake Erie protection. Now if you will refer to Tab 14 in your briefing books, I will present this quarter’s Small Grant Projects that the Grants Committee & Executive Committee Members are recommending for funding… Available on the web at: www.oplates.com 17

Ohio Phosphorus Task Force Report: www.ohioalgaeinfo.com Ohio Phosphorus Task Force Report: www.epa.ohio.gov/dsw/lakeerie/ptaskforce Directors’ Ag Nutrients & WQ Working Group Report: dnr.ohio.gov/portals/12/docs/waterqualityreport.pdf