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Land Conservancy applauds Clean Lake 2020 Plan

July 12, 2018

Western Reserve Land Conservancy applauds Gov. John Kasich, State Sen. Randy Gardner, State Rep. Steve Arndt and the Ohio General Assembly for supporting the health of Lake Erie through the “Clean Lake 2020” (S. 299) legislation.

Yesterday, Governor Kasich signed into law legislation that would provide up to $36 million per year toward nutrient runoff prevention practices, water quality testing, and additional efforts.  Harmful algal blooms in the western basin of Lake Erie are caused by excess nutrients, specifically phosphorus, entering the lake. The excess phosphorus from fertilizer on farms allows for rapid algal growth, and while not all algae are harmful, the most common group of freshwater algae can produce the same toxins that left nearly half a million people in Toledo without water in 2014.

“Lake Erie is one of Ohio’s greatest treasures, and it is imperative to keep it clean and healthy,” said Rich Cochran, president and CEO of the Land Conservancy. “Farmers are some of the greatest stewards of the land, and with these additional resources from the state, they can implement practices to help keep nutrients on the land.”

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