State representatives Dennis Murray (D-Sandusky) and Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green) announce a
subcommittee field hearing of the House of Representatives Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee on
the health of Lake Erie on Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.
The hearing, held at the Lake Erie Islands Regional Welcome Center near Port Clinton, will be open to the
public as state officials and environmental experts testify to a panel of state legislators.
"Lake Erie today faces the most serious challenges in over 30 years, recent algal blooms being the
most visible." Murray said. "Taking testimony from the scientific, agricultural and
environmental protection communities and key policy makers in the Governor’s administration will assist
legislators in better understanding our current knowledge about the problems, current efforts by a wide
variety of governments and organizations to address these problems, and actions the legislature might
take to help."
Record setting size and density of toxic algal blooms over the last two summers have drawn a new focus on
the health and future of Lake Erie. Warmer summers in the already warm and shallow lake along with
increased phosphorous and other nutrients from farm fertilizer runoff and municipal sewage allow the
toxic algae to thrive, but the details of exactly what is to blame or how to fix it remains a challenge
for government officials.
"State officials have consistently expressed concern for Lake Erie and the need for protecting our
lake," said Gardner, who also served Ottawa and Erie counties for seven years in the state Senate.
"This will be an important opportunity to learn more about the coordinated efforts that state
officials are taking to provide for the health of Lake Erie today and in years to come."
Among those expected to testify is the newly appointed director of the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources, Jim Zehringer, who previously served as the director of the Department of Agriculture.
Chairman of the House Committee, Representative David Hall (R-Millersburg), will lead the discussion.
The center is located at 770 S.E. Catawaba Road, Port Clinton.