Action plan in place to deal with algae bloom

The provincial and federal governments have put together an action plan in response to the growing harmful and nuisance algae blooms in Lake Erie.

A media release from Environment and Climate Change Canada states lakes and rivers are “essential for the well- being of Canadians, our environment and economic prosperity” and as such should be protected an managed.

The way that will be accomplished is through the Canada- Ontario Lake Erie Action Plan. Posted on the canada. ca website, the plan outlines the impact of the harmful and nuisance blooms as well as what action needs to be taken.

“The plan identifies more than 130 federal, provincial and partner actions, using mandatory and voluntary approaches, to help achieve the goal of reducing phosphorus entering Lake Erie by 40 per cent,” the release states.

The plan, which will be changed as needed and undergo five- year reviews, highlights five key actions for reducing the algae blooms: reducing phosphorus loadings; ensuring effective policies, programs and legislation; improving the knowledge base; educating and building awareness; and strengthening leadership and co- ordination.

These steps will be carried out through “adaptive management,” “strong governance” and “effective engagement of accountable partners”

The ideas behind this plan are that using science- based knowledge, striving for improvement, acknowledging shared responsibility while still keeping in mind economic sustainability will bring about the positive change needed for Lake Erie.

The plan was developed through public engagement and Indigenous, conservation and agricultural consultations, as well as other sources.

“The Lake Erie Action Plan will work toward revitalizing waterfront communities such as the City of Port Colborne, protecting public health, strengthening Niagara’s south coast economy and ensuring that the city’s water treatement plant is less vulnerable due to the affects of phosphorus and algae in Lake Erie,” said Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey in the release.

The algae blooms are caused primarily by phosphorus, “a naturally occurring and biologically active element that is a component of all biological tissue,” according to the documents in the plan.

The blooms present have an impact on the environment, human health and even the economy. Economically, the increase in harmful or nuisance algae blooms can hamper both recreational and commercial uses of the waterways. The release indicates an estimated $ 272 million annual cost to the Canadian Lake Erie basin economy because of the blooms.

Increased water treatment for municipal drinking water is also an outcome of these blooms. Increased health care costs are also a potential.

Phosphorus enters into Lake Erie through means such as municipal wastewater treatment facilities and runoffs from urban and agricultural landscapes.

The reason there is such an issue in Lake Erie is because of the lake’s physical makeup.

The documentation indicates Lake Erie, which has a total surface area of 25,700 square kilometres, has an average depth of only 19 metres, is the shallowest and warmest by volume and is also the warmest of the Great Lakes. Because of this, weather changes and phosphorus inputs have a greater effect on it.

It’s location near high population densities and such also has an effect on this.