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Snyder names Lake Erie “impaired’ waterway

Governor Rick Snyder and state environmental officials have declared western Lake Erie is an “impaired” waterway that needs to be cleaned up.

The problem is algae blooms that threaten plants and wildlife. The blooms are caused largely by phosphorous runoff from agricultural fertilizers. Two years ago, the algae blooms forced Toledo to declare a drinking water emergency.

Mike Alexander is with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. He says Michigan and other states and Canadian provinces that border western Lake Erie are already working on the problem.

“This is just formalizing that concern that we’ve had for some time.”

At least one agriculture group opposes the designation. The Michigan Agri-Business Association says it could trigger unnecessary federal regulations.