Great Lakes leaders agree to cut phosphorus runoff

Leaders from Michigan, Ohio and Ontario have agreed to reduce phosphorus in the western Lake Erie basin by 40% by 2025. The nutrient is a key ingredient of widespread algae blooms in that portion of the lake — including a toxic strain that disrupted water supplies to 400,000 people in southeast Michigan and the Toledo area last August.

The joint agreement was a highlight of a weekend summit in Quebec City of Great Lakes governors and premiers discussing economic and environmental cooperation opportunities.

"This is a big issue — we want to make these algae blooms go away," Gov. Rick Snyder said Sunday.

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While a variety of factors contribute to algae blooms, a main culprit is agricultural runoff reaching Lake Erie. Earlier this year, Ohio enacted legislation that prohibits the spreading of manure and other fertilizer on frozen ground, after studies showed it often flows off farmers' fields and into lake tributaries during thaws and rains. Michigan has recommendations and regulations related to frozen-ground manure-spreading, but does not prohibit it.

"That's something we'll have to look at, to see the impacts in Michigan," Snyder said.

The phosphorus reduction pledge was welcomed by Paul Pacholski, president of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association. "It's good news for Lake Erie's sport fishing industry," he said in a statement. "We look forward to a strong and complete action plan that will prevent future harmful algal blooms."

On another threat to the Great Lakes, Asian carp headed up the Mississippi River, lawmakers have focused on the Brandon Lock, a shipping lock at Joliet, Ill., where it's believed an updated design might hold back the ecosystem-disrupting fish.

■Related: U.S. House approves bill to fight against toxic algae

Snyder said he encouraged regional leaders to speed up the timeline on Brandon Lock improvements.

"The Corps of Engineers has talked about a 5-year study, and I got up and basically said that's too long.We need to move faster," he said. "I was willing to have our team go anywhere, anytime to get together to help move this faster."

Greater Great Lakes region economic cooperation is also possible, including on the expansion of shipping, Snyder said.

"We have a unique asset with the waterways, and when you look at the numbers, it's really compelling how much more efficient some of the shipping can be compared to rail or truck, and how much more environmentally sound shipping can be in comparison to rail or truck," he said.

Adoption law: A controversial bill signed into law Snyder last week allowing faith-based adoption organizations to turn away gay and lesbian couples could actually improve such couples' chances of adopting a child, Snyder said in an interview with the Free Press on Sunday.

The new law "is actually to encourage the most adoptions possible with loving families," Snyder said.

The new law allows child-placing agencies to deny adoption, foster family referrals or other services if they conflict with the agency's "sincerely held religious beliefs." Critics of the bill say it is directed at gay and lesbian couples seeking to adopt.

Agencies denying a gay or lesbian couple would be required to refer them to another adoption agency under the law.

With such issues resolved, "in fact, it would probably make it easier for LGBT couples to do adoptions," Snyder said.

Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a nonprofit LGBT rights advocacy group, condemned passage of the bill last week, saying it empowered "backwards discrimination."

"This legislation keeps children in need out of the loving homes they deserve, and it sets this great state back decades," he said.

The ACLU has vowed to file a lawsuit to block implementation of the law.

Contact Keith Matheny: (313) 222-5021 or kmatheny@freepress.com.