The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Center for Coastal Ocean Sciences (NCCOS) recently forecasted a moderate to larger-than-moderate severity of Lake Erie cyanobacteria harmful algae blooms (HABs) this summer. An article in the Detroit News reported the unusual sighting of blue-green algae scum just south of Monroe, unusual since the blooms typically first appear in Maumee Bay.
Once rare, HABs are occurring in water bodies around the globe; the driving forces include excess nutrients, mainly phosphorus and nitrogen, from agricultural practices (fertilizer and manure) and sewage overflows from waste water treatment plants. Additional factors include warming temperatures due to climate change and more intense rainfalls. Lake Erie has been especially plagued by the presence of the green scum.
Michigan’s “quality of life” departments, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) are working together to update Michigan’s Domestic Action Plan (DAP) to help improve the health of Lake Erie by reducing nutrients from urban and rural sources, especially phosphorus and nitrogen. The Western Lake Erie Basin Advisory Group composed of researchers, farmers, advocates and activists, including representation from the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, was recently created to help inform the implementation of the DAP. For more information click here.