The Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorus The Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorus

Task Force: Moving Towards Task Force: Moving Towards

ImplementationImplementation

Gail Hesse, Ohio EPAGail Hesse, Ohio EPA

September 10, 2010September 10, 2010

TopicsTopics

Background Background

FindingsFindings

RecommendationsRecommendations

Current EffortsCurrent Efforts

MicrocystisMicrocystis bloombloomAugust 2003August 2003

Toledo Water IntakeToledo Water Intake

P Task Force ApproachP Task Force Approach

Identify all possible sources of DRPIdentify all possible sources of DRP

Quantify what we can with existing data Quantify what we can with existing data

sourcessources

Consult with topical expertsConsult with topical experts

Consult peerConsult peer--reviewed publicationsreviewed publications

Compare Compare relative contributionsrelative contributions from from

possible sourcespossible sources

Develop recommendationsDevelop recommendations

FindingsFindings

Point sources have remained relatively Point sources have remained relatively

consistentconsistent

Lawn care Lawn care –– can have localized impactcan have localized impact

Mussels have altered P cyclingMussels have altered P cycling

–– Extent unknownExtent unknown

–– Processing external sourcesProcessing external sources

Transport mechanisms Transport mechanisms –– surface and surface and

subsurface drainagesubsurface drainage

–– Relative contribution unknownRelative contribution unknown

SubSub--Surface DrainageSurface Drainage

FindingsFindings

Soil nutrient interactions are key to Soil nutrient interactions are key to

understanding nutrient movementunderstanding nutrient movement

Soil P naturally fluctuates between Soil P naturally fluctuates between

dissolved and solid formsdissolved and solid forms

Soil mineralogy influences solubilitySoil mineralogy influences solubility

Other factors, including nitrogen, may be Other factors, including nitrogen, may be

affecting algal bloomsaffecting algal blooms

FindingsFindings

DRP loadings are driven by runoff eventsDRP loadings are driven by runoff events

Weather trend changes: higher intensity Weather trend changes: higher intensity

storms, less snowfall, high winter runoff storms, less snowfall, high winter runoff

eventsevents

Multiple contributors; agriculture is keyMultiple contributors; agriculture is key

Need to look at how we manage our P Need to look at how we manage our P

inputsinputs

Phosphorus InputsPhosphorus InputsAgricultureAgriculture

BiosolidsBiosolids

Animal manureAnimal manure

Commercial fertilizerCommercial fertilizerRecent Fertilizer P Usage

in Lake Erie Basin

(tons elemental P)

27,320 tons

fertilizer, 66%

2,830 tons

biosolids, 7%

11,235 tons

manure, 27%

LEB Commercial P

Fertilizer (2006 Values)

LEB Biosolids Fertilizer

(2007 Avg. Values)

LEB Manure Fertilizer

(2007 & 2008 Values)

Trends in AgricultureTrends in Agriculture

Overall, nutrient inputs are downOverall, nutrient inputs are down

–– Biosolids, animal manure, commercial fertilizerBiosolids, animal manure, commercial fertilizer

Larger farms, larger fields and larger equipmentLarger farms, larger fields and larger equipment

–– Larger equipment has multiple functions, Larger equipment has multiple functions, more yearmore year--round operationsround operations

–– Larger, heavier equipment may be leading to Larger, heavier equipment may be leading to soil compactionsoil compaction

More yearMore year--round operationsround operations

Trends in Agriculture, cont.Trends in Agriculture, cont.

More fall preparation of seed beds, More fall preparation of seed beds, more more

fall and winter applicationfall and winter application

Changing methods: more broadcast Changing methods: more broadcast

application without incorporationapplication without incorporation

Unknown and uncertain use of soil tests Unknown and uncertain use of soil tests

and adherence with recommendationsand adherence with recommendations

Changes in soil qualityChanges in soil quality

Changes in drainageChanges in drainage

3 Categories of 3 Categories of

RecommendationsRecommendationsNutrient management field practicesNutrient management field practices

Tools to guide application and quantify Tools to guide application and quantify

edge of field runoff potentialedge of field runoff potential

Research Research

Recommendations Recommendations -- PracticesPractices

Push for “Priority Practices” for nutrient Push for “Priority Practices” for nutrient

managementmanagement

Use innovative approaches to sell these Use innovative approaches to sell these

practicespractices

Apply adaptive management principlesApply adaptive management principles

Key issues:Key issues:

–– Amount Amount -- IncorporationIncorporation

–– Timing Timing -- Management of field runoffManagement of field runoff

No single practice will result in lower nutrient runoff

Recommendations Recommendations -- ToolsTools

Ensure consistent, reliable soil testsEnsure consistent, reliable soil tests

and increase the frequency of testingand increase the frequency of testing

Update screening tools that account for Update screening tools that account for

agronomic need and environmental riskagronomic need and environmental risk

USE THE TOOLSUSE THE TOOLS

–– Link soil test results to fertilizer Link soil test results to fertilizer recommendationsrecommendations

–– Link recommendations to applicationsLink recommendations to applications

–– Link nutrient management practices to highly Link nutrient management practices to highly variable conditionsvariable conditions

Recommendations Recommendations -- ResearchResearch

Pursue the Research Agenda: field to Pursue the Research Agenda: field to

stream to nearshore to instream to nearshore to in--lakelake

Review new information, monitor progress, Review new information, monitor progress,

course correct as necessarycourse correct as necessary

Current EffortsCurrent Efforts

Research projects currently funded by the Research projects currently funded by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission, USEPA and Ohio Lake Erie Commission, USEPA and other projects of the Millennium Networkother projects of the Millennium Network

GLRI: Variable Rate TechnologyGLRI: Variable Rate Technology

NRCS work group evaluating the P IndexNRCS work group evaluating the P Index

Nutrient water quality standards under Nutrient water quality standards under developmentdevelopment

USEPA USEPA –– Region 5 is requesting states to Region 5 is requesting states to develop state nutrient strategiesdevelop state nutrient strategies

Factors for ConsiderationFactors for Consideration

Understand relative contributions for major Understand relative contributions for major

river basinsriver basins

Focus on any reduction….or the major Focus on any reduction….or the major

contributors?contributors?

Focus on geographic areas….or the major Focus on geographic areas….or the major

contributors?contributors?

Strategies need to fit the issues in any Strategies need to fit the issues in any

given basingiven basin

www.epa.state.oh.us/dswClick: Phosphorus Task Force

www.epa.state.oh.usClick: Grand Lake St. Marys

Algal Bloom Update