Share or view as a webpage [ [link removed] ]  I  Update preferences [ [link removed] ]






EGLE Main GovD banner




*MEDIA ADVISORY** *
June 20, 2025 
Jeff Johnston, EGLE Public Information Officer, [email protected]

June 26 conference will focus on reducing harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie

Media from Michigan and Ohio or interested in Great Lakes issues are invited to attend and cover Michigan’s second State of the Western Lake Erie Basin Conference [ [link removed] ], focused on advancements and priorities in the Western Lake Erie Basin [ [link removed] ] (WLEB), particularly related to reducing harmful algal blooms [ [link removed] ] (HABs). 


* *What:* 2025 State of the Western Lake Erie Basin Conference 

* *When:* 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, June 26, 2025 

* *Where:* Adrian Tobias Center, Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan 

* *Who:* Presented by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD); Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE); Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR); and the University of Michigan Water Center. 

* *Why:* Learn about innovative work and regional progress toward goals to keep the lake free of nutrients that feed the runaway growth of harmful algae. Connect audiences with vital activity happening throughout the WLEB. 

* *How:* Contact Alana Berthold, [email protected], for information on media registration. 

EGLE Director Phil Roos, MDARD Director Tim Boring, and DNR Senior Great Lakes Wetlands Advisor Steve Chadwick will address the conference and may be available on request for media interviews on the subject. 

Also speaking and presenting are leaders and representatives from Ducks Unlimited, the Michigan State University Institute of Water Research and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, the University of Michigan Water Center and School for Environment and Sustainability, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, The Nature Conservancy, The Ohio State University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

*Domestic Action Plan updated* 

The conference follows last month’s release of Michigan’s updated Domestic Action Plan [ [link removed] ] (DAP) for combatting HABs in western Lake Erie. The DAP contains measures to reduce phosphorus runoff into the WLEB by a sustained 40% from 2008 levels.  

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for growing crops in the WLEB, but it can enter waterways during rains or floods and ultimately enters Lake Erie and causes algal blooms each summer. 

MDARD, EGLE, and the DNR review and revise the DAP every five years based on progress and changing needs. 

Key strategies include continued work with WLEB communities to tighten sewage treatment facility permits; a new Soil Health Investment Program [ [link removed] ] in partnership with conservation districts in Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties; partnerships for agricultural conservation; regenerative agriculture [ [link removed] ] principles and practices; expanded water quality monitoring [ [link removed] ]; online modeling through the Great Lakes Watershed Management System [ [link removed] ]; formation of the WLEB Community Advisory Group [ [link removed] ]; and work by the DNR, conservation group Ducks Unlimited, and partners to restore more than 300 acres of wetlands in the Stony Creek and South Branch River Raisin watersheds. 

For more information on what Michigan is doing in the Western Lake Erie Basin or to view the DAP update, visit Michigan.gov/MDARD-WLEB [ [link removed] ]. 

###

________________________________________________________________________









 

People with disabilities may request this material in an alternate format by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-662-9278. 

EGLE does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, disability, political beliefs, height, weight, genetic information, or sexual orientation in the administration of any of its programs or activities, and prohibits intimidation and retaliation, as required by applicable laws and regulations.

 

Instagram [ [link removed] ] Linkedin [ [link removed] ] X [ [link removed] ] YouTube [ [link removed] ] MiEnvironment [ [link removed] ] GovDelivery [ [link removed] ] Facebook [ [link removed] ]

If you wish to no longer receive emails from us, 
please update your preferences here:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

Need further assistance?
Contact Us <[email protected]>  |  Provide Feedback <[email protected]>

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy · Constitution Hall · 525 West Allegan Street · PO Box 30473 · Lansing, MI 48909 · 800-662-9278
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} table.govd_hr {min-width: 100%;} p, li, h1, h2, h3 { overflow-wrap: normal; word-wrap: normal; word-break: keep-all; -moz-hyphens: none; -ms-hyphens: none; -webkit-hyphens: none; hyphens: none; mso-hyphenate: none; }