Update on Lake Erie Nutrient Update on Lake Erie Nutrient and Algal Issuesand Algal Issues

Gail Hesse Gail Hesse

Ohio Lake Erie CommissionOhio Lake Erie Commission

March 30, 2012March 30, 2012

August 11 2011August 11 2011 1330 cfs1330 cfs

Photo: NOAA Satellite ImagePhoto: NOAA Satellite Image

Photo: NOAA Satellite ImagePhoto: NOAA Satellite Image

October 9, 2011October 9, 2011

Microcystis Microcystis near near MarbleheadMarblehead

October 9, 2011October 9, 2011

Photo: Richard Kraus, United States Geological SurveyPhoto: Richard Kraus, United States Geological Survey

Algal ToxinsAlgal Toxins

Microcystin Microcystin – World Health Organization benchmark criteriaWorld Health Organization benchmark criteria

1 ppb for drinking water1 ppb for drinking water

20 ppb for recreational contact20 ppb for recreational contact

Anatoxin-a, Saxitoxin, CylindrospermopsinAnatoxin-a, Saxitoxin, Cylindrospermopsin

Public Water System CyanotoxinPublic Water System Cyanotoxin

No detections in finished waterNo detections in finished water

2011 Source (raw) 2011 Source (raw) water detection in 9 water detection in 9 PWS Systems:PWS Systems:– MarbleheadMarblehead– SanduskySandusky– Camp PatmosCamp Patmos– Put In BayPut In Bay– LE UtilitiesLE Utilities

– OregonOregon– ToledoToledo– Carroll TownshipCarroll Township– Ottawa CountyOttawa County

Recent & Current ActivitiesRecent & Current Activities

Lake Erie P Task Force Phase I, Phase IILake Erie P Task Force Phase I, Phase II

State of Ohio HAB Response StrategyState of Ohio HAB Response Strategy

Lake Erie Millennium NetworkLake Erie Millennium Network

Directors’ Agricultural Nutrients & Water Directors’ Agricultural Nutrients & Water Quality Working GroupQuality Working Group

Directors’ Point Source/Urban Work GroupDirectors’ Point Source/Urban Work Group

Nutrient Reduction Strategy Framework Nutrient Reduction Strategy Framework for Ohio Waters - Draftfor Ohio Waters - Draft

Key FindingsKey FindingsNW Ohio: commercial fertilizer dominates NW Ohio: commercial fertilizer dominates land applicationland application

More fall preparation of seed beds, More fall preparation of seed beds, more fall more fall and winter applicationand winter application

Changing methods: more broadcast Changing methods: more broadcast application without incorporationapplication without incorporation

Unknown and uncertain use of soil tests and Unknown and uncertain use of soil tests and adherence with recommendationsadherence with recommendations

Changes in drainage, weather patternsChanges in drainage, weather patterns

3 Categories of 3 Categories of RecommendationsRecommendations

Priority practicesPriority practices– Key issues: amount, timing, incorporation, Key issues: amount, timing, incorporation,

management of field runoffmanagement of field runoff– No single practice will result in lower nutrient No single practice will result in lower nutrient

runoffrunoff

Tools to quantify edge of field runoff Tools to quantify edge of field runoff potentialpotential

Research Research

State of Ohio HAB StrategyState of Ohio HAB Strategy

Monitoring protocols and advisoriesMonitoring protocols and advisories

Addresses:Addresses:– Beach advisoriesBeach advisories– Public drinking waterPublic drinking water

Under revision for 2012Under revision for 2012

www.ohioalgaeinfo.comwww.ohioalgaeinfo.com

Ohio State Park BeachOhio State Park BeachAlgae Advisory PostingsAlgae Advisory Postings

No ContactAdvisory

Public HealthAdvisory

BloomAdvisory

Avoid all contact

Avoid direct contact with water

Avoid ingestion, direct contact with visible scum

2011 Lake Erie Advisories2011 Lake Erie Advisories

Maumee Bay State Park: Public Health Maumee Bay State Park: Public Health AdvisoryAdvisory

Lake Erie (Battery Park): Algal Bloom Lake Erie (Battery Park): Algal Bloom AdvisoryAdvisory

Sandusky: Algal Bloom AdvisorySandusky: Algal Bloom Advisory

Directors’ Agricultural Nutrients and Directors’ Agricultural Nutrients and Water Quality Working GroupWater Quality Working Group

Ohio EPA, Ohio DNR and ODAOhio EPA, Ohio DNR and ODAFocus on voluntary actions: 4RsFocus on voluntary actions: 4Rs– Right fertilizer, Right rate, Right time, Right Right fertilizer, Right rate, Right time, Right

placementplacement

Coordinate funding, researchCoordinate funding, research– Focus: edge of field, tile managementFocus: edge of field, tile management

Develop/expand authoritiesDevelop/expand authorities– Habitual bad actorsHabitual bad actors– Nutrient Management PlansNutrient Management Plans

P Task Force Phase IIP Task Force Phase II

Build on lessons learned from Phase IBuild on lessons learned from Phase I

Incorporate findings of current researchIncorporate findings of current research– Millennium Synthesis Team Funded by Ohio Lake Millennium Synthesis Team Funded by Ohio Lake

Erie Commission and GLNPOErie Commission and GLNPOReport: 14 June 2011Report: 14 June 2011

Focus on:Focus on:– Management actionsManagement actions– Recommendations from Directors’ Working GroupRecommendations from Directors’ Working Group– Reduction goal/targetReduction goal/target

Lake Erie Protection Fund Lake Erie Protection Fund

Available on the web at: www.oplates.com

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