Lake Erie is the shallowest and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes. This lake receives high loads of phosphorous, making it highly sensitive to harmful blue-green and nuisance algal blooms.
And since phosphorous enters the lake from a variety of sources, the action plan is open to public comments, including members of the agricultural community, until May 9.
"Water connects us all. We intrinsically understand its importance, and we all have a reason to be invested in its protection,” Catherine McKenna, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, said in a release. “I encourage Canadians, especially those within the Great Lakes Basin, to participate in these consultations that will inform our collaborative actions to protect Lake Erie."
The plan suggests the next agriculture policy framework could encourage producers to implement multiple best management practices across the entire farm, and that the Province will continue to develop and implement Ontario’s 4-R program.
Through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Canada and the U.S. are committed to finalizing domestic action plans for Lake Erie by February 2018.