Lake’s pollution problem needs more attention
I met a woman, a real boating enthusiast, who said she is on her boat many weekends during the summer and one place she particularly enjoys is the wide-open waters of Grand Lake St. Marys in Celina.
OK, I can see that. We had a cottage there for several years and boating was a big thing for us, too. That was in the 1980s when the water quality wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t clear mind you, but only an occasional E.coli warning was issued for the beaches. The kids swam in the channels but had to be hosed down due to an oily substance on their skin. Showers immediately followed.
I hope the woman is taking similar precautions with her family. The water is much worse now than it was 30-40 years ago. But she said they like to swim and tube there quite often, despite EPA warnings. (Not from the beaches; from the boat.)
Due to its 8-mile length, it’s the best skiing/tubing/ wakeboarding lake around.
When you think about it, Grand Lake St. Marys is one of the nicest lakes in the state ... if it weren’t for the polluted pea-green water.
And who is to blame for that? Take your pick:
1. Area farmers. They apply manure from their hogs and cattle to their many acres of land without regard as to where it will end up. I guess it has been rather convenient having that big lake as a cesspool all these years.
2. The legislators. While most spend their days trying to get re-elected, few have made a real effort to clean up Ohio’s largest inland lake. Put the past few governors in this group, too. Who represents one of the largest voting blocks in the state? Anyone associated with agriculture. So let’s not step on any toes. Don’t create laws to force anyone to limit the use of manure year-round. Keep your hands off of agriculture and get re-elected. Yeah, the lake is important, but not as important as keeping the farmers happy.
3. Developers who have created all those nice houses with pretty green yards. What makes them green? Fertilizers. I wouldn’t call this a big reason, but it contributes.
4. Goose poop. This isn’t a big reason, either. But, again, it contributes. I have no idea what you do about geese. Wait, they are Canada geese ... so maybe someone should ship them north, over the border.
Manure, fertilizer and goose poop – all phosphorus that feeds the lake’s huge toxic algae bloom.
I have been waiting many years to see some movement toward a cleaner Grand Lake. Some residents have worked hard, creating wetlands and treatment trains. But despite those efforts, all the committees and all the meetings, it doesn’t seem to be enough. There has to be a massive effort ... starting in Columbus.
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