Protecting Lake Erie By Managing Phosphorus: Lake Erie Binational Nutrient Management Strategy

Transcription

1 Protecting Lake Erie By Managing Phosphorus: Lake Erie Binational Nutrient Management Strategy Sandra George & Luca Cargnelli Environment Canada June 14, 2013

2 Contents 1. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement 2. The Canada-Ontario Agreement 3. The Lake Erie Lakewide Action and Management Plan 4. Overview of Nutrient Issues in Lake Erie 5. Lake Erie Binational Nutrient Management Strategy 6. Environment Canada s Great Lakes Nutrient Initiative

3 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Canada-US agreement first signed in 1972 New agreement in 1978 Adopted broader ecosystem approach Amended by protocol in 1987 Introduced LaMPs, RAPs Amended by protocol in 2012 Signed September 2012 Took force February 2013

4 GLWQA Nutrients Commitments (Annex 4) Adopt Lake Ecosystem Objectives Establish phosphorus objectives, loading targets and allocations for each lake Implement programs and other measures to manage excess phosphorus from point and non-point sources Identify priority watersheds for nutrient control and develop management plans for these watersheds 4

5 GLWQA Nutrients Commitments (Annex 4) Undertake research, monitoring and modeling to; establish, report on and assess phosphorus objectives and loading targets further understand a variety of nutrient issues Report on progress Every three years through the Progress Report of the Parties 5

6 GLWQA Nutrients Commitments (Annex 4) Time bounded commitments for Lake Erie Establish phosphorus objectives, loading targets and allocations by 2016 Develop a phosphorus reduction strategy and domestic action plans by 2018

7 Canada-Ontario Agreement (COA) Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin first signed in 1971 How Canada and Ontario will cooperate and coordinate efforts to meet Canada s obligations under the GLWQA Renewed numerous times (last in 2007) New agreement expected in 2013

8 Lake Erie LAMP A long term ecosystem-based framework for binational management of Lake Erie Goal is the long-term sustainable management of the ecosystem Spatial Scope: Lake Erie proper including Huron-Erie Corridor, nearshore areas, embayments and river mouths Environmental Influence: May occur anywhere within the watershed or from outside

9 Lake Erie LAMP Binational partnership, collaborative in nature, a forum for ongoing discussion, understanding and resolution Representatives from: Federal, Provincial and State Agencies, CAs, NGOs, Academic Community, Public Binational science synthesis and reporting, development of binational strategies Domestic implementation

10 Lake Erie LAMP Ecosystem Management Objectives Land Use Nutrients Nutrient inputs from both point and non-point sources are managed to ensure that ambient concentrations are within bounds of sustainable watershed management and consistent with the Lake Erie Vision. Natural Resource Use and Disturbance Chemical and Biological Contaminants Non-native Invasive Species

11 Overview of Nutrient Issues in Lake Erie Annual phosphorus loading to the lake peaked at almost 28,000 metric tonnes in 1968 The 1972 GLWQA resulted in efforts to reduce TP loading from point sources improvements to STPs reduction of phosphates in laundry soaps and detergents By 1981 annual TP loading had reached the GLWQA target load

12 Overview of Nutrient Issues in Lake Erie Starting in the mid-1990s, Lake Erie once again experiencing significant algal blooms these escalated through the 2000s In the west basin, potentially toxic blooms of blue green algae (Microcystis) have become a regular occurrence In the east basin (and throughout much of the lake), Cladophora is again fouling nearshore areas West basin, August 2011 East Basin, Summer 2011

13 Binational Nutrient Management Strategy In 2007 Nutrient Science Task Group formed to assess the status of nutrients in Lake Erie (2009 report) The scientific foundation for the Lake Erie Binational Nutrient Management Strategy (2012)

14 Binational Nutrient Management Strategy Goals: Nutrient inputs from both point and non-point sources are managed to ensure that ambient concentrations are within bounds of sustainable watershed management and consistent with the Lake Erie Vision A substantial reduction in the present levels of algal biomass to levels below a nuisance condition including bays and other areas where nuisance algal blooms may occur

15 Binational Nutrient Management Strategy Objectives Stop further degradation; Conserve and protect waters that meet nutrient targets; Restore waters that do not meet nutrient targets; Regularly monitor and report on the status of nutrients; and Conduct research to better understand nutrient cycling and the effects of human activities.

16 Binational Nutrient Management Strategy Why focus on Phosphorus? Phosphorus is the primary nutrient that stimulates algal growth Widely collected, in all habitat types Total phosphorus is easier to measure than its component fractions Need to develop reliable methods for collecting soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) information Nitrogen and other nutrients need to be watched

17 Binational Nutrient Management Strategy Total Phosphorus Targets Habitat Type TP Target (ug/l) Tributaries 32 Coastal Wetlands One recording of <30 per year Nearshore 20 Offshore West Basin 15 Central Basin 10 East Basin 10

18 Binational Nutrient Management Strategy Phosphorus Management Goals Halting further degradation and restoring Lake Erie waters requires a commitment to reducing phosphorus loading to the lake and its tributaries (3 goals) Research Goals Provide the information necessary to improve management decision making regarding nutrient conditions in Lake Erie (5 goals) Monitoring Goals Consistent monitoring allows for better understanding of how Lake Erie responds to natural and anthropogenic influences and is essential for adaptive management (4 goals)

19 Great Lakes Nutrient Initiative (GLNI) Objectives: 1. Establish current nutrient loadings from selected Canadian tributaries. 2. Enhance knowledge of the factors that impact tributary and nearshore water quality, ecosystem health, and algae growth. 3. Establish binational lake ecosystem objectives, phosphorus objectives, and phosphorous load reduction targets. 4. Develop policy options and strategies to meet phosphorous reduction targets. 5. Develop a binational nearshore assessment and management framework. 6. Framework for other lakes Source: Patricia Chambers, Environment Canada

20 GLNI Research Areas

21 GLNI Projects Research & Monitoring Determine nutrient loads to Lake Erie Monitoring to measure phosphorus loadings from 8 Lake Erie tributaries (Grand, Nanticoke, Lynn, Big Creek, Big Otter Creek, Catfish, Thames, Sydenham, Detroit, Niagara). Assessment of algal conditions in Canadian nearshore waters of Lake Erie Using genetic, biochemical, physiological and biological measures to test the hypotheses that the potential for Cyanobacteria HAB development is present throughout the lake. Nearshore biological assessment Collect samples to develop bioindicators to assess ecosystem condition of the nearshore. Propose indictors for algae, mussels, gobies, and benthos. Photo Credit: Chris Duggan, Environment Canada, Technical Operations Services Dive Unit (EOALRSD)

22 GLNI Projects Research & Monitoring Collect data necessary to run nearshore and lakewide hydrodynamic and water quality models Samples collected to capture important biological processes in the lake. Emphasis on the Grand River. Setting phosphorus targets to protect ecological condition of Lake Erie tributaries Develop an approach for setting scientificallycredible phosphorus criteria to protect ecological conditions of rivers, especially for reaches upstream of convergence with Lake Erie. Design a framework for reconciling tributary P targets with lake nearshore targets. Recommend criteria for tributaries to Lake Erie. Photo Credit: Chris Duggan, Environment Canada, Technical Operations Services Dive Unit (EOALRSD)

23 GLNI Projects Policy Options Phosphorus Management Cost-Benefit Analysis: Grand River Case Study Development of an interactive cost-benefit bioeconomic model (Decision Support System tool) for the Grand River watershed and downstream Lake Erie. The model will be used to assess the costs and benefits of phosphorus management scenarios in the Grand River watershed. Best Management Practices for Urban Areas to Manage Phosphorus Identification and review of technologies currently in use within municipalities in the Lake Erie Basin and in other jurisdictions to control urban phosphorous discharges into Lake Erie. This assessment shall consider technological approaches for reducing urban wastewater and stormwater runoff as well as l approaches that remove phosphorous from these sources. Review of Agricultural Phosphorus BMPs Evaluation of BMPs (including identification of challenges or modifications that would make them more resilient to future climate variability). Identify which are most likely to maintain their effectiveness for p management under various climate change scenarios.

24 GLNI Projects Policy Options Engage nutrient managers in the Canadian Lake Erie basin to determine best approach for implementing nutrient management actions Survey nutrient mangers to identify perceived barriers to improved implementation and identify priorities for implementation. Consult with partners on the development and implementation of phosphorus objectives for Lake Erie and its tributaries.

25 GLNI Next Steps Continue ongoing research and monitoring Begin to engage agricultural and urban sectors to review P- related polices and programs Begin work to establish binationally agreed to, science based, phosphorus load reduction targets Work with Lake Erie LAMP to deliver nutrient priorities, including meeting GLWQA Nutrient Annex time-bounded commitments, planning for Lake Erie CSMI 2014 field year, etc. Examine future scenarios (e.g. land use, climate change, demographics)

26 Conclusions Lake Erie has seen a re-emergence of algal blooms and associated water quality issues Non-point sources are the issue - water quality in Lake Erie is tied to land use activities in the basin The Lake Erie LAMP has developed a binational strategy for addressing nutrient issues in Lake Erie Environment Canada s GLNI is supporting the research, monitoring and management goals of the strategy Nutrients are an area of focus for the recently amended GLWQA with specific time bounded commitments relating to Lake Erie

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