Fish kills linked to manure

TOLEDO — Investigators have linked three large fish kills this month to manure that had been spread on farm fields in northwestern Ohio, and now they’re looking into whether any laws were broken.

What’s not known is whether the manure was deposited just before rain washed it into area creeks or if too much manure was put down, said Jeremy Payne, a wildlife investigator with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

A 2-year-old Ohio law intended to combat harmful algae in Lake Erie prohibits farmers from spreading manure on fields within 24 hours of expected heavy rains because it contains phosphorous that feeds algae.

Ohio, along with Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario, have agreed to sharply reduce the amount of phosphorus from farm fertilizers, manure and sewage treatment plants that flows into western Lake Erie for the next 10 years.

But many environmental groups argue that the state needs stricter rules on disposal of manure.

Manure also contains ammonia that pulls the oxygen out of creeks and streams and kills fish. An estimated 66,000 fish — from minnows to sunfish — were found dead in creeks in Hardin, Allen and Williams counties this month.

A fourth fish kill in Mercer County also is being investigated.

In the most recent case, about 15,000 fish along a 10-mile stretch of a creek in Williams County were found dead last week.

The manure spill, though, won’t cause any long-term damage in the creek, said Payne, who added that fish already are being spotted in the creek.

It’s possible that those responsible for putting the manure on the fields will be billed for the cost of the fish, said Steve Thomson, a state wildlife officer. This list is compiled from voluntary submissions by parents to hospitals. Jennifer and Eric: boy, Aug. 21 Scarlette and Brandon: boy, Aug. 23 Denise: twins, boy and girl, Aug. 21 Sarah and Jareth: boy, Aug. 23 Ashley/ David: boy, Aug. 18 Kamaljeet and Sukhbir: boy, Aug. 24 Christine and Josh: girl, Aug. 24 Katelynne: girl, Aug. 25

Valarie and Daniel: boy, Aug. 24 Haylee/ Mike: boy, Aug. 24 Marie and Brian: girl, Aug. 23