If a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, think of Ohio Senate Bill 150 as a first step.
A
cleveland.com story May 19 reported Ohio Governor John Kasich is preparing to sign a bill that could help control fertilizer phosphorus contributions to
Lake Erie's toxic-algae problems. That's important, but what's more important is where (and how far) we go from here.
About algae, phosphorus, and SB 150
First, let's understand the problem.
The
toxic green algae that has
plagued Lake Erie in recent years may be a result of excessive amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen in the water. It negatively impacts fish and other aquatic life. There are many sources of phosphorus and nitrogen, including human waste, industrial processes, and commercial fertilizers used mainly in the agricultural industry.
SB 150, which has recently passed the State House and Senate unanimously, would require farmers who use commercial fertilizers to be certified by the state and encourage them to develop "nutrient management plans" to demonstrate they are working to control their land's runoff.
