Lake Erie Ecosystem Priority (LEEP) Report

by R.D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee Chairman

The Lake Erie Ecosystem Priority (LEEP) International Joint Commission recently published their summary report of key findings and recommendations. This US and Canadian commission’s function is to understand the sources of excess nutrients and the measures required in order to reduce them. The report can be found on our website (www.roamingshores.org) and is yet another important work provided in follow-up to the 2011 algal bloom, the largest in the history of Lake Erie. Like the Lake Erie Phosphorus Task Force Final Report, Lake Erie Phosphorus Task Force II, Strategic Plan for the Grand Lake St. Marys Restoration Commission, and several others (also on our website), this report is critical of the primary problem: flow of sediment and nutrients into our rivers and streams from the watershed and the current efforts to contain them in the fields.

The Commission writes: “Although eutrophication [a process akin to aging due to excessive nutrient enrichment] is again a serious threat to Lake Erie water quality, the sources and remedies are different from those of the 1960s and 1970s. While sewage plants still contribute some phosphorous to Lake Erie, diffuse runoff from rural and urban lands is a leading factor in eutrophication. Of particular concern is runoff of dissolved reactive phosphorous (DRP), which is highly bioavailable and thus a primary cause of renewed algae blooms. Addressing runoff requires strategies tailored to particular land uses, rather than controls on sewage plants alone.“

Among the Commission’s recommendations was that existing and planned incentive-based programs immediately shift to a preference for agricultural Best Management Practices that are most likely to reduce DRP by reducing the amount of phosphorous applied to fields, slowing the movement of water to the field drainage system, and detaining flows at field drainage outlets.

I encourage residents interested in understanding the facts of our water quality and clarity issues to read at least the executive summary of the LEEP Report. And remember, residents at Roaming Shores are a powerful political force especially when we voice reasonable requests to elected representatives. If you are interested in taking action to reduce HABs in our lake, please consider writing and calling your elected state representatives including Gov. Kasich and let them know that you support strong action to ensure that nutrients and sediment are controlled and limited so they do not enter our waterways.