Health of the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes Threatened
I am not happy to be writing that my suspicions regarding the algal bloom problem in our local water bodies was confirmed by a report in the Democrat and Chronicle on Sunday. While the paper focused on a particular species of cyanobacteria and its associated toxin that can cause several adverse reactions in humans, algal blooms of all species can cause sections of the water column to become anoxic as bacteria use up all of the available oxygen in their respiration when they consume the countless dead organisms falling out from these blooms. This can often cause the death of fish in these anoxic areas.
It is disappointing that neither citizen groups or state agencies have stepped in to curtail or regulate this problem. There is a wealth of documentation available linking algal bloom problems with the release of untreated sewage and most especially fertilizer- and soap-laden runoff from lawns and driveways as the land around these areas continues to urbanize. Many, if not the majority, of dwellings that dot the shores and immediate hills surrounding our finger lakes have been built on underdeveloped rural land, and many of them discharge sewage directly into these lakes, untreated, due to the lack of sewer connections. Most residents are not educated about the common over-application of fertilizer and are not given information that leads them to see natural and native vegetation promoted in lawns and hedges as acceptable, or even beautiful and productive elements of their property.
The ultimate tragedy in all of this is that the citizens and vacationers to these naturally attractive areas do not realize that they are collectively damaging their future ability to enjoy these areas. As fish species die off, they destabilize the lake's ecosystem, generally leading to an abundance of "pest" species. The water becomes more unfit for human occupation, leading to a further devaluation of its perceived worth and potentially leading to more incidental pollution. What truly amazes me and should shame the people of these areas is that they simply take this as due-course and follow recommendations to "not go swimming or skiing," or to "avoid eating the fish," when it is fully within their power to take action on their own property and help improve the wealth of the whole area. Healthy, functioning, diverse ecosystems close to their "natural" state provide a whole wealth of services and value to surrounding communities, from clean water to sewage treatment, and from sport fishing to family beach days, clean environments attract more money, more people, and more human diversity to the area. We must be careful to manage such growth in a way to sustains and enhances the natural systems and value of the area!
_________________________________________________________
Updated June 8th 2012:
It's finally summer again!
Keep in mind this summer that, due to the warm previous winter, ticks and other small pests will be active in abundance! Try and remember that insect repellent, and if you go hiking in any wooded areas always remember that a tick-check is always a good idea after. My Aunt and Uncle's black lab unfortunately contracted Lyme disease when I took her out walking earlier this year, not expecting the problem. So take it from me, use that insect repellent! And protect your animals as well!
I went for a swim in Cayuga lake a few weeks ago. The water was already quite warm and I believe algal blooms may continue to be a problem. Running into floating fish carcasses while swimming in a natural body of water doesn't seem to me to be a sign of a healthy ecosystem, but to a certain extent it's bound to happen, and I'm just speaking from anecdotal experience here. How we treat our water resources seems to continue to be a case of "out of sight, out of mind" here in the Northeast, where fresh water is plentiful to the point that we clearly take it for granted. EPA protection has helped ensure that our water bodies are useable by human organisms, but some strengthening of the standards that have steadily eroded over the last thirty or so years is long past due, in my opinion. Clean resources and environments are money-makers, as economic study after study repeatedly show. Let's all keep this in the backs of our minds next time the topic comes up, or better yet ask some questions about conservation and development of the waterfronts around your home. You deserve it!
(Believe it or not your elected officials can and do read through physical and email that is sent to their office. While you may not always get a response, this input can actually make a difference as I have personally seen while working for CCE out of Syracuse. Offering factual or other forms of support to your representative, if appropriate, can actually get you a response and may lead to some true involvement! http://www.uselections.com/ny/ny.htm)
