OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY Phosphorus reductions from POINT sources (29,000 metric tons to 11,000) ‐Somewhat aided by agriculture practices Late 80’s and Early 90’s Healthy, What Brought About the Rebirth? Blue-green Algae Bloom circa 1971, Lake Erie Photo: Forsythe and Reutter

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY Phosphorous Levels are Rising Again; Now Soluble

Photos courtesy of Jeff Reutter Microcystis at Stone Lab (8/10/10)

Stone Lab September 11, 2011 September 11, 2011 Photo: Jeff Reutter

August Photo: NOAA Satellite Image

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

Photo: NOAA Satellite Image October 9, 2011 Only Western Basin Problem?

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY Eliminate fall and winter application of fertilizer and manure Eliminate broadcast application and incorporate fertilizer Soil testing of all fields to prevent application of too much P – Do not apply P above agronomic need (OSU Ag research) – 30% of Ohio fields have too much P already No fertilizer when rain is in forecast (within 48 hours) Place a moratorium on addition of more tiles – 50% of dissolved Phos. leaving fields is going through tiles Consider reducing the size of farms falling under CAFO regulations Possible Agriculture Action Areas

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY What other levers can we turn? Lawn Care Recommendations: ‐Follow Scott’s lead.….all lawn care fertilizer sellers and lawn care applicators meet the zero P goal Sewage Treatment Plant Recommendations: ‐Expedite actions to eliminate CSOs Water Treatment Plant Recommendations: ‐Ortho-P as a corrosion reduction strategy More closely monitor septic tanks: ‐Assure that all septic tanks are working properly

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY Maumee Storm Runoff Statistics (from ) Statistically significant increases in : Number of storm runoff events per year (up 67%) Number of spring runoff events (up 40%) Number of winter runoff events (up 47%) Annual storm discharge (up 53%) Summer storm discharge (up 27%) Other seasonal comparisons show increases but they are not significant Source: Dr. Peter Richards, Heidelberg University

March-June Maumee Discharge 2.77

March-June Maumee Total P 1,099

March-June Maumee DRP 238

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY Merged NOAA-U.Toledo severity index range of models

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY HABs Challenges…and review Need agriculture solutions (4Rs): Right fertilizer source (i.e., manure and P free) Right rate (i.e., amount; Ag need) Right time (i.e., rain and frozen ground) Right place (i.e., only where needed) Lack of funding for monitoring CSO elimination is expensive Regulation of septic tanks is weak

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY Recovery – End on a positive note Lake Erie is the smallest of the Great Lakes by volume Retention time for water is very short Western Basin retention time is days Therefore, recovery will be almost immediate!!!

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY Questions? For more information: ‐Dr. Kristen DeVanna Fussell ‐Ohio Sea Grant Office, Ohio State University, 1314 Kinnear Rd., Columbus, OH ‐Phone: ‐

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY The New Threat “Asian”…..actually, Bighead, Silver, Black and Grass Carp Big and Silver average pounds, can reach 100 Juveniles can eat 120% of weight/day 25,000 pounds caught by commercial fishermen in Illinois river this year

OHIO SEA GRANT AND STONE LABORATORY The New Threat Continued….. Plankton and Blue-green algae will support Will rivers support reproduction ? What is being done: – Pheromones (caged females and food cues) – Identifying likely dispersal routes – eDNA work – Water cannons – CO 2 – Poisons – ACRCC