A Multi-Jurisdictional Action Plan To Reduce Algal Blooms In Lake Erie

The Ontario and federal governments have recently announced the enactment of a joint action plan for reducing algal blooms in Lake Erie. The Lake Erie Action Plan identifies numerous actions aimed at reducing the amount of phosphorus entering into Lake Erie by 40 per cent below 2008 levels.

The Action Plan operationalizes commitments that Canada and Ontario have made under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, 2012 and the Canada–Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health, 2014 to reduce phosphorus entering Lake Erie. Canada and the United States have also adopted binational phosphorus reduction targets. Ontario's Great Lakes Protection Act requires the province to establish at least one target aimed at reducing algal blooms.