Agriculture

The purpose of this Lake Erie Binational Phosphorus Reduction Strategy is to describe the framework for binational cooperation under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Nutrients Annex towards the achievement of the 2016 binational phosphorus reduction targets.

MAEP is a voluntary verification program that helps farmers reduce environmental impacts from their operations by providing technical assistance for the design and implementation of conservation plans. The Overview describes several other indicators of success that speak to water quality outcomes and farmer engagement including participation in training events and tons of sediment and phosphorus loading reduced.

Ohio Sea Grant performs a wide range of research, outreach, and education on Lake Erie harmful algal blooms.

The Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) program encourages implementation of practices that reduce phosphorus loadings from farms.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Lake Erie webpage provides history, resources, and Lakewide Action and Management Plans (LAMPs).

The Pennsylvania Office of the Great Lakes webpage hosts information on their programming. The PA Office of the Great Lakes conducts extensive water quality monitoring of Lake Erie and its tributaries, and coordinates with other state, county, and local government entities, as well as non-governmental organizations, to develop policies and programs that reduce pollutants and support public health.

The Lake Erie Protection & Restoration Plan 2016 reflects the state of Ohio’s priorities to protect, preserve and restore Lake Erie. The purpose of the plan is to identify the state’s strategic direction for Lake Erie and the Lake Erie watershed to achieve established environmental, recreational, and economic goals.

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is a voluntary program that teaches land stewardship to producers in Michigan. It is Michigan's largest tool to assist in the implementation of agricultural pollution prevention practices on farms.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) webpage dedicated to Lake Erie resources. 

This interactive website by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) includes story map features and information on goals and actions in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Additional information and links are available on ISDA's Western Lake Erie Basin page. 

The role of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission is to preserve Lake Erie’s natural resources, to protect the quality of its waters and ecosystem, and to promote economic development of the region by ensuring the coordination of policies and programs of state government pertaining to water quality, toxic substances, and coastal resource management. Their website provides a variety of information and links of the health of Lake Erie.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has a page dedicated to cyanobacterial HABs, including information on health effects, causes and prevention, and state-specific resources.