GLIN==> Ohio's Lake Erie Protection Fund ~ Grant Reports Available

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2009

 

Grant Projects Support Lake Erie Research, Management, and Recreation
Reports detailing Lake Erie Protection Fund project outcomes are available
online

 

TOLEDO, OH - Reports detailing the results of nine projects supported by the
Lake Erie Protection Fund are now available online for public view,
according to the Ohio Lake Erie Commission.

 

The grants funded research projects that educated local government officials
and others on best land use practices within a watershed, researched
environmental factors that impact mayflies and predator-prey interactions
with Yellow Perch, studied the prevalence of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia
(VHS) virus in yellow perch immediately following the first occurrence of
the virus in Ohio, gathered new data on near-shore intrusions of hypoxia,
and began development of microbial source tracking (MST) tools to indicate
contamination in a watershed. Other projects monitored fecal pollution at
recreational beaches in an effort to target restoration projects and
demonstrated the influence of vitamin concentrations on walleye survival.
Also funded was the construction of a dock, ramp and lift to improve access
to the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse and the first phase of development of a tool
that will help determine the potential for bioremediation of contaminated
Lake Erie sediments.

 

Together, these projects are helping to provide local governments, state
agencies and citizens with information that will help them make better
decisions, data that will guide management of natural resources and improved
access to the recreational and historic opportunities Lake Erie has to
offer.

 

The Lake Erie Protection Fund was established to help finance research and
implementation of projects aimed at protecting and preserving Lake Erie and
its watershed. The fund is supported by Ohioans who voluntarily purchase
Lake Erie license plates featuring the Marblehead Lighthouse as designed by
noted Lake Erie artist Ben Richmond. The Lake Erie Commission manages the
Lake Erie Protection Fund, investing every dollar directly into grant
projects. During the past 16 years, $8.5 million in funding has been
provided to 275 grant projects ranging from agricultural practices in the
Maumee watershed to recreational projects in Ashtabula.

 

The final reports of grant projects dating back more than ten years can be
accessed at
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102640806388&s=0&e=001xKfNm5RYkfR2z2J4rtXcPK_GGQL
UAOJWfQoBo1JI9zyP6qeYCFCNE24c8XiYn1p_Re03V5J5cL6gAxVAciZAs9sDU7goleuOJCQbJ2A
UOV72Gnodqglf39XO54wg8XUKE5QHs-wfruMRQaJl7qfSsHvRWajv20HL>
http://www.lakeerie.ohio.gov/LakeErieProtectionFund.aspx.

 

The Ohio Lake Erie Commission is comprised of the directors of the Ohio
Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio departments of natural
resources, transportation, development, health and agriculture. The
commission was created to preserve the lake's natural resources and protect
the quality of its waters and ecosystem.

 

For more information about the Ohio Lake Erie Commission and its programs,
visit
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102640806388&s=0&e=001xKfNm5RYkfR2z2J4rtXcPK_GGQL
UAOJWfQoBo1JI9zyP6qeYCFCNE24c8XiYn1p_Q1-v-tguP0mQO6ZyUkfKa1eE4COSWe_dTrCIuHa
8-2Y1pxRcz50nVg==> http://lakeerie.ohio.gov.


-30-

 

EDITORS NOTE: Below are the abstracts of the final reports for projects that
received funding.

Lake Erie Commission Grants

 


Grant Title

Organization

Outcome


Implementing Best Local Land Use Practices

Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc 

Case studies were developed and training was offered to local officials,
decision makers, and government staff on best land use practices.


Yellow Perch foraging on hexagenia spp.: Effects of hypoxia and Dreissena

University of Toledo

Researchers examined the impact of low oxygen levels and presence of
invasive Dreissena on mayfly species and predator-prey interactions with
Yellow Perch. 


Molecular Diagnostic Tool for the Potential Bioremediation of Lake Erie
Sediments

Bowling Green State University

This project took the first steps towards developing a new tool that will
evaluate detoxification mechanisms in contaminated sediments.  This new tool
would help determine if and what microbial communities could be used to help
remediate contaminated sediments.


The Prevalence of VHS Virus in Yellow Perch

Case Western Reserve University

The VHS Virus has the potential to impact both wild and captive raised fish
stocks in Lake Erie and across Ohio.  This project provided for early
research on the virus in Ohio.


Nearshore Hypoxia as a New Lake Erie Metric

National Center for Water Quality Research

Researchers monitored nearshore intrusions of hypoxia during summer months
in the central basin of Lake Erie.  The regularity, extent, and location of
these intrusions are not yet fully understood.


Use of MST Tools in the Portage River Watershed

US Geological Survey

This project took the first steps towards developing a tool that would help
identify the source of contaminants in the Portage River through DNA
markers.


Tracking Fecal Pollution at Recreational Beaches

University of Toledo

Researchers studied potential sources of contamination at Huntington Beach
in an effort to help target watershed projects that would reduce the number
of beach closures.


Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Access Dock & Ramp

Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society

Funding was used to cover a portion of the cost to install a floating dock
and access ramp for the lighthouse.  


Influence of vitamin concentrations in eggs on survival of walleye embryos
in Lake Erie

The Ohio State University

Project examined the influence of vitamin concentration in eggs on the
survival of offspring.

 

For Additional Information, Contact: 
Edwin J. Hammett, Ohio Lake Erie Commission
419. 245. 2514

 

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