Ohio wants more power to stem algae
COLUMBUS, Ohio – State officials would have more power to stem the spread of toxic algae caused by pollution runoff from farms under a bill now in the Legislature.
Changes to state law proposed in the Senate bill introduced this week would give the Ohio Department of Natural Resources the authority to cite farmers if rain washes too much fertilizer off their fields.
It also would require farmers to undergo training and receive a certificate from the Ohio Department of Agriculture before spreading fertilizer.
Another provision would keep the public from seeing an individual farmer’s fertilizer and manure management plans to protect any sensitive information, The Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Cliff Hite, said he will seek comment from farmers and farm businesses over the summer.
But the Republican from Findlay says state law changes might be necessary to reduce the toxic blue-green algae that appear in Lake Erie, Grand Lake St. Marys and other Ohio lakes each summer.
The algae affect the health of aquatic wildlife and public safety and put billions of dollars received annually from tourism at risk, officials have said.
“This is a huge concern,” Hite said.
Blue-green algae grow thicker when feeding on phosphorus in fertilizers, manure and sewage washed into streams by rain.
The algae produce liver and nerve toxins that can sicken people and kill pets and wildlife.
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation officials mailed letters to farmers several months ago warning them that they need to limit polluted runoff or face a government order to do so.
The bureau said it needs to study the draft bill before commenting.
Department of Natural Resources officials say that expanding their authority would help improve water quality now and in the future.