Lake Erie Algal Bloom Battle Plan To Be Discussed in June

DETROIT, MI — Michigan residents will have a little more time to let their thoughts be known on plans the state has for protecting Michigan's portion of Lake Erie from algal blooms.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Thursday announced that in accordance with Governor Gretchen Whitmer's recommendations designed to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the state has extended the public comment period until June 19.

EGLE hopes that interested residents have ample time to offer their views on the plan, which describes the status of water quality in Michigan's portion of the Lake Erie Basic and includes a list of planning and implementation actions the state will take to achieve nutrient reduction targets set through the binational Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Annex 4 Subcommittee process.

The Western Lake Erie Basic has experienced the reappearance of significant algal blooms in recent year, some of which are harmful to aquatic life and can affect drinking water of nearby residents.

Lake Erie has several factors that contribute to algal blooms, including nutrient-rich water from wastewater treatment plants, farm fields and fertilized lawns, invasive species and the lake's warmer, shallow waters.

The state plans to reduce the amount of phosporus and nitrogen entering the lake by 40 percent by 2025.

Anyone interested in commenting on the plan can reach out in the following ways:

• Email to EGLE-LakeErieDAP@Michigan.gov.
• Mail to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Water Resources Division, Attn: Lake Erie AM DAP, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, MI 48909.
• Request hard copy of the plan by contacting Kimberly Passick at (517) 284-5053 or PassickK@michigan.gov.
• Public information meeting in early June, with more details to come.