Walberg and Democrat colleague reintroduce bill to protect against harmful algae blooms

From the Adrian Daily Telegram:

WASHINGTON — Looking to provide federal assistance for efforts to help farms in the Great Lakes region minimize pollution that leads to harmful algae blooms on Lake Erie, U.S. Reps. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, and Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, reintroduced Monday the Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Act.

The legislation would support voluntary farmer-led environmental stewardship programs such as the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), which the bill’s supporters

say have successfully helped farmers improve conservations, reduce soil erosion and decrease nutrient runoff.

“Those of us from the midwest know how central the Great Lakes are to our economy and way of life,” Walberg said in a news release. “Here in Michigan, we have seen positive results through MAEAP — which just celebrated verification of it’s 5,000th farm — in advancing responsible environmental stewardship of our land and water. Expanding this successful conservation program throughout the region will go a long way to preserve Lake Erie and the entire Great Lakes ecosystem for future generations to enjoy.”

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