Climate-whipped lake winds posing hazards
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Powerful gusts linked to global warming are damaging water quality and creating a hazard for fish in Lake Erie and perhaps elsewhere in the Great Lakes, according to researchers.
Extremely high winds occasionally churn up deep water with low oxygen and high levels of phosphorus in Erie's central basin and shove it into the shallower western section, creating a hazard for fish and insects on which they feed.
Such events have happened more frequently since 1980 and particularly in recent years, scientists with the University of Guelph said in a paper published last week in the journal Nature Scientific Reports.
“As temperatures increase overall, we will get higher winds and larger waves,” said Josef Ackerman, a professor of physical ecology and aquatic sciences with the Canadian university who led the study.
The findings underscore the need to limit phosphorus overloading that fuels algae-like bacterial blooms in Lake Erie's western basin, he said.
“We can't control the winds but maybe we could double down on our efforts to reduce inputs into the lakes to keep the ecosystems healthy,” Ackerman said. “If so, the winds won't have as bad an impact.”
Marc Gaden, spokesman for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which didn't take part in the study, said it illustrates the complexity of Great Lakes ecosystems and the need for better models that can forecast how weather can disrupt them.
The report adds to a growing body of scientific evidence that human activity is affecting the Great Lakes in unforeseen ways.
Some nearshore areas have too much phosphorus because of runoff from overfertilized croplands and releases from sewage plants.
Yet deeper areas of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario and eastern Lake Erie are running short of phosphorus needed to feed algae that form a key link in food chains.
Meanwhile, climate change resulting from emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane is believed to be warming the lakes and causing heavier storms, which also affect water quality.
The Marion County Republican Party is calling for Marion Law Director Mark Russell’s resignation, accusing him of weaponizing his office to influence the outcome of the 2019 general election.
In a release from the Marion GOP, Bob Schultz, chairman of the local Republican party, alleges Russell, on Oct. 29, 2020, directed then-police Chief Bill Collins to conduct an investigation regarding violations of sending out sample ballots under the Ohio Revised Codes. This investigation resulted in misdemeanor charges being brought forward against City Auditor Robert Landon, 30, and former GOP chairman John Matthews, 54, both of which are Republicans. The charges were filed on Election Day.
“The Law Director’s personal interest in this case had no bounds,” stated Schultz in the release. “According to testimony provided at a November 24, 2020 Motions Hearing in Marion Municipal Court, Mr. Russell’s handling and filing of this case was in a very unusual manner according to career employees of the Court and then Police Chief Bill Collins.”
Previously, Landon and Matthews were accused by Russell of illegally distributing a sample ballot and allegedly sending out communications purporting to be from the board of elections. Visiting Judge James S. Rapp has since dismissed the charges against both Landon and Matthews, citing it would be unconstitutional under their first amendment rights.
Schultz stated because of this investigation, resources that the Marion Police Department could’ve been using to pursue felony cases were instead used in this case which he says costs Marion taxpayers money. He added that costs to citizens of Marion are still being accumulated.
Russell, when called on Wednesday morning, said this was the first he had heard about the GOP’S calls for his resignation. In regard to these calls, Russell
said Schultz’s comments contain false information and that he had no further comment at this time.
Schultz said he has worked with both the director and assistant director of the Marion County Board of Elections, where he self-reported a potential violation of the Ohio election law on Oct. 29, 2020. The following day, Schultz said the two election officials, after consulting with the Ohio Secretary of State, issued and directed a written statement ordering potential violations to be discontinued.
Schultz also said these allegations from Russell have hurt both Landon and Matthews as well as their families throughout the 18 months leading up to the dismissal.
“Mr. Russell’s actions have caused irreparable damage to his victims and their families.” stated Schultz. “Slash and burn politics, constant attacks, protracted public meetings designed to accomplish little except providing a platform for his political cronies to emulate their mentors in Columbus and Washington, D.C., have no place here.”