Editorial Roundup: Ohio

Cleveland Plain Dealer. September 1, 2023.

Editorial: Why isnt Ohios congressional delegation raising Cain over states fumble of toxic algae plan?

A lot is at stake in Ohios efforts to reduce the phosphorus runoff that, year after year, feeds the sickly green scum of toxic algal blooms coating Lake Eries western basin. The toxic blooms threaten the future of a freshwater lake that, increasingly in a water-starved nation and world, is a hugely valuable resource.

These harmful algal blooms dont just mar the landscape or threaten liver damage and possible death to pets or livestock (mostly from the microcystins that are a toxic product of the blooms). They also have enormous economic, recreational and public health implications for the millions of Ohioans who rely on Lake Erie for jobs, drinking water, and recreation.

Thats why its so mystifying that a palpably inadequate plan Ohio recently submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for how it proposes to tackle Maumee River basin phosphorus runoff has elicited not a peep of discernible protest or action from Ohios representatives in Washington. That includes both of Ohios senators and others like U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce and Marcy Kaptur who pride themselves on their efforts to win federal money and protections for Lake Erie.