LANSING—Michigan state government has released a draft Adaptive Management Plan that will inform decisions and guide projects outlined in the Domestic Action Plan for Lake Erie, a targeted approach for improving water quality and reducing the amount of phosphorus entering the lake by 40 percent by 2025.
Decreasing phosphorus inputs is intended to help reduce harmful algal blooms—caused when an overgrowth of algae produces toxins that can affect aquatic life, recreation, and the quality of drinking water.
“Michigan is surrounded by freshwater, and it is our job to take care of this resource, especially in the Western Lake Erie Basin where harmful algal blooms affect public health and our economy,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “In June, I recommitted to reducing phosphorus in Lake Erie by 40 percent by 2025. It’s going to be a challenge to make the needed improvements to hit that commitment, but I will continue to push the state and our regional counterparts to use all the best management practices available to meet this challenge.”
The draft Adaptive Management Plan is available at www.Michigan.gov/LakeErieDAP.
The state will be accepting public comments about the plan from now through March 24. Comments are accepted via the following: https://www.techcentury.com/2020/02/28/state-unveils-new-plan-for-lake-erie-water-quality-improvement/
