Governments of Canada and the
United States Announce Phosphorus Reduction Targets of 40 percent to
Improve Lake Erie Water Quality and Reduce Public Health Risk
New targets to reduce toxic and nuisance algae blooms affecting Lake
Erie
WASHINGTON.- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Gina McCarthy and Canada’s Environment and Climate Change
Minister Catherine McKenna today announced that Canada and the U.S. have
adopted targets to reduce phosphorus entering affected areas of Lake
Erie by 40 percent. The targets announced today will minimize the extent
of low oxygen “dead zones” in the central basin of Lake Erie; maintain
algae growth at a level consistent with healthy aquatic ecosystems; and
maintain algae biomass at levels that do not produce toxins that pose a
threat to human or ecosystem health.
Through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Canada and the United
States committed in 2012 to combat the growing threat of toxic and
nuisance algae development in Lake Erie, and agreed to develop updated
binational phosphorus reduction targets for Lake Erie by February 2016.
The 40 percent reduction targets are based on 2008 loading levels.
Canada and the United States have committed to develop domestic action
plans, by no later than February 2018, to help meet the new targets.
“To protect public health, we must restore the Great Lakes for all those
who depend on them,” said Gina McCarthy, Administrator, United States
Environmental Protection Agency. “The first step in our urgent work
together to protect Lake Erie from toxic algae, harmful algal blooms,
and other effects of nutrient runoff, is to establish these important
phosphorus limits. But, establishing these targets is not the end of our
work together. We are already taking action to meet them.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate
Change said, “Canada recognizes the urgency and magnitude of the threat
to Lake Erie water quality and ecosystem health posed by toxic and
nuisance algal blooms. By establishing these targets, we strengthen our
resolve to work with our American neighbours, and Canadian and U.S.
stakeholders who share these waters, to protect the tremendous natural
resource that is Lake Erie.”
Algae occur naturally in freshwater systems. They are essential to the
aquatic food web and healthy ecosystems. However, too much algae, linked
to high amounts of phosphorus, can lead to conditions that can harm
human health and the environment. Since the 1990s, Lake Erie has seen an
increase in algal growth that has compromised water quality and
threatens the Lake Erie region’s recreation-intensive economy. The
targets were developed after extensive public input from a diversity of
sectors.
Quick Facts
• The
2015 harmful algal bloom in Lake Erie was recorded as the largest bloom
this century.
•
Modeling experts from the United States and Canada used nine different
computer simulation models to correlate changes in phosphorus levels
with levels of algal growth in order to determine phosphorus load
reduction targets.
• A
binational public consultation process was held between June 30 and
August 31, 2015. Final targets were established following
widespread support for the draft targets and the target setting process.
• More
than 40 Canadian and American experts formed a binational team under the
leadership of Environment and Climate Change Canada and the United
States Environmental Protection Agency to develop the targets.
• In
Canada, more than 50 individuals, groups and agencies representing
Agricultural and other non-government organizations, Conservation
Authorities, municipal governments, Ontario government agencies, First
Nations, and Universities commented on the draft targets through an
on-line tool and face-to-face discussions.