'Nature's kidneys' Pointe Mouillee wetlands filter water, reduce Lake Erie algal blooms
A proposed $30 million investment in wetlands conservation would reduce algal blooms in Lake Erie, specifically in Monroe County and other areas in the Great Lakes region, if the money is approved through COVID relief funding.
A newly released study shows that algal blooms are crippling economies and recreational opportunities, such as in the Western Basin of Lake Erie, which has seen fewer visiting fishermen who have stayed away due to the green masses that foul the water.
The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) study was released during a recent gathering at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. That gathering was in conjunction with an announcement by Ducks Unlimited (DU) to invest American Rescue Plan Act funds to restore and develop highly functional wetlands that will minimize phosphorus entering Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay.
The problem
The MUCC study provides a snapshot into the devastating economic impacts of unsightly, dangerous and ever-looming algal blooms in western Lake Erie. Commissioned by MUCC and undertaken by Michigan State University, the study estimates up to $5.9 million annually in economic activity is lost in Michigan’s small portion of Lake Erie, including Monroe County.
The MUCC study estimates between 9,000 and 21,000 angling trips were canceled in 2019 due to harmful algal blooms. This was determined using a survey of Lake Erie anglers, interviews with charter boat captains and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) creel data.
This estimate equals up to 29 % of total fishing trips on Lake Erie. Anglers cited potential negative health effects, inability to consume fish and boat or equipment damage as reasons the algal blooms have kept them away. Two-thirds said they decided not to fish at least once in 2019 because of the blooms.
The study underpins the need for funding and solutions, said Amy Trotter, MUCC executive director.
“Now knowing the devastating economic impacts of harmful algal blooms on our local communities, charter captains and businesses, we can start to look for answers,” Trotter said. “Michiganders should be able to fish, boat and enjoy western Lake Erie uninhibited by worrying about being able to eat their catch or what damage it may inflict on their equipment.”
The solution
Harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay also compromise public drinking water and harm fish and wildlife. But wetlands act as nature’s kidneys, filtering bloom-creating phosphorus from rainwater runoff before it enters the Great Lakes.
In agriculture-dominated landscapes like the River Raisin and Maumee River tributaries of Michigan, strategically placed wetland restorations to intercept run-off is a widely accepted solution to improving water quality, with evidence showing 30% to 80% reductions in loading of agricultural nutrients.
DU, in partnership with state agencies, has piloted a landscape assessment tool to identify and evaluate sites for wetland restoration that intercept agricultural run-off and flood water. A $30 million investment from American Rescue Plan Act funds would support at least 15 projects that could act as filters for over 20,000 acres.
“We need leaders in Lansing to devote real resources to this growing problem, to improve quality of life for residents and habitat for wildlife,” said Kyle Rorah, director of policy for DU’s Great Lakes/Atlantic Region. “We thank leaders like Reps. Cherry and Bellino and Senator Zorn for their support.”
At the event in the state game area near South Rockwood, state legislators amplified the call to fund new action against algal blooms. With Lake Erie in his district, State Rep. Joe Bellino, R-Monroe, is all too familiar with the consequences of harmful algal blooms.
“As a young boy growing up in Monroe at Detroit Beach, we never swam. The Clean Water Act did a lot to help all our Great Lakes, but now we sit at the precipices of blooms that again threatens our way of living. From water to drink, to hunting, fishing and boating, everything is threatened. This DU initiative will be another tool in our box to make the Great Lakes all that it can be,” Bellino said. “Just look at waterfowl. While almost half the bird species in America have declined in numbers, waterfowl have increased. DU, MUCC, Waterfowl USA, and many others have played a huge part in this. Restoration of native wetlands should be one of the tools we use continue our goal of making Lake Erie great again.”
And Michigan Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Ida, said clean water is important to all members of his district and the Great Lakes.
“The Great Lakes are Michigan’s greatest natural resource. The people of the 17th State Senate district know how important it is to keep our water clean not only for our health and safety, but also for our economy. I’m extremely happy to have groups like Ducks Unlimited who are constantly finding new and innovative ways to keep our lakes clean for humans and wildlife alike,” Zorn said.
More wetlands
Ducks Unlimited and MUCC hope to leverage the study into more funding for research, wetland implementation and mitigation related to harmful algal blooms.
During a tour of the game area, officials saw critical infrastructure projects completed by Ducks Unlimited and partners, and learned what new projects and investments could do to help mitigate harmful algal blooms.
“We know that what is good for birds is good for people," said Erin Ford, Michigan Conservation Manager, Audubon Great Lakes. "When you restore wetland habitat, bird populations rebound and you support a myriad of other wildlife species."
Wetlands play a major role in maintaining Michigan’s water quality, serving as natural water purifiers for our communities to keep the water in inland lakes and streams clean, and can store a massive amount of water during heavy rains, she added. An acre of wetland only a foot deep can store up to 1.5 million gallons of floodwater.
For more information, visit www.ducks.org. Michigan United Conservation Clubs is the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. visit www.MUCC.org.