Lake Erie, phosphorus reduction

The relative significance of nonpoint source pollution has increased over the past 15 years as point source control programs have brought about reductions in phosphorus loads. For example, it has been estimated that point and nonpoint sources contributed 56 and 44%, respectively, of the total phosphorus load to Lake Erie in 1977 while in 1986, the loading proportions from these sources changed to 26 and 74%, respectively (IJC 1989b). Such trends are also indicative of an increase in the priority of nonpoint source control programs in certain Areas of Concern. 

As part of the Canada-Ontario commitment to reduce nonpoint source phosphorus loadings to Lake Erie, the 30 million Soil and Water Environmental Enhancement Program (SWEEP) was initiated in 1986 with a mandate to improve soil and water quality in southwestern Ontario over a five-yr period. Specifically, SWEEP S objective is to reduce agricultural nonpoint phosphorus loadings to Lake Erie by 200 metric tonnes per yr in accordance with the reductions in phosphorus loadings established in the GLWQA (Environment Canada 1987). 

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (1989) State of Ohio phosphorus reduction strategy for Lake Erie - 1989 update. Columbus, Ohio, 24 pp. 

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (1988) Calculating phosphorus reduction values from agricultural land for Lake Erie Basin - Ohio. Columbus, Ohio, 88 pp. 

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