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

2. August
1330 cfs
Photo: NOAA Satellite Image

3. October 9, 2011
Photo: NOAA Satellite Image

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 2011 Lake Erie Advisories
Maumee Bay State Park: Public Health Advisory
Lake Erie (Battery Park): Algal Bloom Advisory
Sandusky: Algal Bloom Advisory

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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: 17

18. Ohio Phosphorus Task Force Report:
Ohio Phosphorus Task Force Report:
Directors’ Ag Nutrients & WQ Working Group
Report:
dnr.ohio.gov/portals/12/docs/waterqualityreport.pdf