OEC Statement on the Ohio Domestic Action Plan for Lake Erie Update

MJ Eckhouse, January 28, 2020

Columbus, OH – Today, the DeWine Administration announced their updated Domestic Action Plan (DAP) to address harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. This draft plan is intended to shape state efforts towards meeting the 40 percent nutrient reduction target put forth in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) of 2012. The Ohio DAP is developed in conjunction with the U.S. EPA DAP that includes plans for Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The Ohio Lake Erie Commission will finalize the update of the Ohio Domestic Action Plan in coordination with Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), which each share responsibility for implementing the plan.

The following quote can be attributed in full or in part to Pete Bucher, Managing Director of Water Policy, Ohio Environmental Council:

“Last year, the fifth largest harmful algal bloom on record occurred in western Lake Erie. As climate change continues to impact our communities, Ohio’s harmful algae problems become even more complex and urgent. We still have a long way to go to ensure that the people that rely on our Great Lake for their drinking water and economic livelihoods don’t have to worry about the threats posed by harmful algal blooms. In conjunction with H2Ohio, this Domestic Action Plan is another step in the right direction to meeting our phosphorus reduction commitments in Lake Erie and ensuring clean water for all.

“This science-based, forward-thinking program is an important part of an all-of-the-above approach to support improved water quality, especially in the face of climate change.”