SANDUSKY – The Ohio Phosphorus Task Force II issued its final report on findings to support
reduction of phosphorus loading and associated harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie and surrounding
watersheds.The report was released Nov. 13.Recommendations include the development of loading targets for
the Maumee River watershed and other Lake Erie tributaries, expansion of current phosphorus monitoring
programs, and working with area stakeholders to improve soil health, nutrient retention, and proper timing
and placement of applied fertilizers, the report said.The report was created by a diverse working group of
industry professionals including experts from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and
Environmental Sciences and its outreach arm, Ohio State University Extension; Ohio State University’s Ohio
Sea Grant and Stone Lab; the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; the Ohio Department of Agriculture; the
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; and the Lake Erie Commission.In addition to improving water quality
throughout the Lake Erie watershed, recommended measures could lead to cost savings for farmers due to
reduced need for fertilizer, improve public health as combined sewer systems are updated to reduce
overflows, and build on previous successes in reducing phosphorus content in commercial lawn care products,
organizers said.Phosphorus, which is in animal manure and many commercial fertilizers, tends to be the
nutrient that determines how much harmful algae can grow in Lake Erie, organizers said."This report
gives us an excellent road map for moving forward in phosphorus management in the Lake Erie watershed,"
said Ohio Sea Grant Director Jeff Reutter. "The challenge will be on the implementation side; that is
to implement the 20 recommendations in this report."Harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie most often
consist of Microcystis, a cyanobacterium — more commonly called blue-green alga — and can produce a number
of toxins hazardous to the ecosystem, animals and people. The toxins can be removed from drinking water
drawn from the lake, but the process increases the cost of water treatment. In addition, harmful algal
blooms can severely reduce tourism income, as recreational water use is made dangerous by the toxin, or
unpleasant by layers of blue-green algae floating on the water’s surface.The task force will continue to
meet for further evaluation and publication of state and regional phosphorus management efforts.