U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg: Efforts to prevent algal blooms must continue
We received great news recently when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the forecast details for 2023, showing a smaller-than-average algal bloom for western Lake Erie. This forecast, while encouraging, also serves as an important reminder to continue our successful mitigation efforts.
As the largest system of fresh surface water in the world, the Great Lakes serve as a vital resource, providing safe drinking water to more than 40 million people in the region. Simultaneously, these lakes serve as a destination for families to enjoy an extensive range of recreational activities from fishing to boating to swimming, generating more than $52 billion annually for the region. The lakes also boost an incredible tourism industry and provide for the essential transportation of goods throughout the region. Through these many functions, the Great Lakes have become the backbone of our regional economy. As such, the strength of Michigan’s economy is directly tied to the long-term health of the Great Lakes.
However, the Great Lakes have faced a myriad of challenges over the years, including the proliferation of algal blooms in many of its lakes. For the past few decades, excess nutrient runoff has led to the growth of dense proliferations of algae, producing toxins and scum that threaten our lakes’ ecology and our economy, drastically affecting our way of life. With this in mind, we must continue our work to effectively predict, prevent and address the spread of algal blooms in the region to preserve the well-being of the Great Lakes.
Since its inception in 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has spearheaded efforts to prevent the proliferation of algal blooms, protecting the health of the waterways and the communities of the Great Lakes. The GLRI has provided over $3.2 billion in funding for over 6,527 restoration projects throughout the Great Lakes region, including implementing projects that capture more than 375 million gallons of untreated urban runoff annually. Through these efforts, the GLRI has successfully prevented over 2 million pounds of phosphorus from flowing into the Great Lakes and contributing to algal blooms.
At the direction of Congress, the Department of Agriculture oversees the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which provides cost-sharing, technical and educational assistance to help farmers implement best management practices that promote environmental quality. The state of Michigan also oversees a similar program, the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). This innovative project helps farmers prevent and minimize agricultural pollution risks. The proactive program has helped over 6,316 farms meet high environmental standards and become good stewards of their land.
To build on the successful efforts of programs like MAEAP, I am reintroducing my bill, the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Act. The bipartisan bill provides federal assistance to Great Lakes states that administer voluntary assurance programs to help farms minimize agricultural pollution risks, like harmful algal blooms on Lake Erie. As such, we must continue to promote conservation efforts like these by expanding a similar framework to neighboring states to improve the stewardship of our land and water.
Better care of wastewater also helps with the mitigation of algal blooms. I recently advanced a project submitted by Berlin Township for a $3 million community project to provide funding to make the repairs necessary to better equip the plant for water treatment.
Through the improvement and expansion of critical prevention and treatment programs, we can build on the progress that has been made and continue to address the threats that algal blooms pose to our region. Efforts like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and programs like EQIP and MAEAP will help safeguard the long-term health and well-being of our national treasure, the Great Lakes. We all must do our part to preserve these waters so that the Great Lakes can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.
U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, represents Michigan's 5th Congressional District, which includes Monroe and Lenawee counties.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg: Efforts to prevent algal blooms must continue
