Environment

Ohio Officials Target Rivers to Stem Algae Blooms

Associated Press — Tue, 28 May 2013 11:35:00 +0000

Ohio environmental officials are focusing on six major streams as they try to cut pollutants that help toxic algae thrive in the state's lakes and other waterways.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has for years worked to cut manure and fertilizer runoff from Ohio farms and pollutants from sewage treatment plants that contribute to poisonous blooms of blue-green algae in Lake Erie and Grand Lake St. Marys in western Ohio.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the state EPA will focus on the Scioto, Great Miami, Maumee, Sandusky, Cuyahoga and Wabash rivers.

Glen Helen Granted Conservation Land Easement

Jerry Kenney — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:04:00 +0000

Antioch College says that a new conservation land easement will ensure that Glen Helen near Yellow Springs will be forever preserved and open to the public.

It's first of two phases designed to protect the popular recreational destination. WYSO's Licensee, Antioch University was a co-granter on the easement. Both the University and College worked with the Trust for Public Land to complete the deal.

Ohioans Often Take Double Hit From Tree Pest

Associated Press and Dayton Daily News — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 21:04:00 +0000

The invasive emerald ash borer is spreading across Ohio, ruining trees and costing taxpayers.

The exotic Asian beetle has been in Ohio nearly a decade, and Ohio State University expert Joe Boggs says it is spreading like a wild fire. The toll is mounting, too. Besides causing local governments to divert funds for eradication efforts, homeowners are paying for treatments and private contractors, and the loss of ash trees.

Changes in Ohio’s Energy Efficiency Law Dead For Now But Could Resurface

Bill Cohen (Ohio Public Radio) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:01:50 +0000

Environmental activists and consumer advocates are breathing a sigh of relief. Ohio lawmakers apparently are NOT going to change the state’s energy efficiency program during the last days of the current legislative session.

The program requires electric companies to lower overall power usage by giving money to people and businesses that buy energy-saving appliances and equipment. To fund the program, all electricity customers pay a surcharge on their monthly electric bills.

Algae Treatment at Grand Lake Isn't Working

Associated Press and Columbus Dispatch — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:19:04 +0000

A two-year, $8.5 million project to stop toxic algae in Ohio's largest inland lake isn't working.

The 13,000-acre Grand Lake St. Marys in western Ohio was sprayed with aluminum sulfate in April that was supposed to keep the blue-green algae from feeding on phosphorous in the water. A similar treatment was applied last year.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that this year's treatment was spoiled by high winds that helped stir phosphorus-rich mud from the lake bottom.