07-25-2009, 11:10 AM
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://www.lakeerie.ohio.gov/LakeEriePro...nFund.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://lakeerie.ohio.gov.
-30-
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.
Media Contact
Edwin J. Hammett, Ohio Lake Erie Commission<br />
419. 245. 2514
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations<br />
614. 265. 6860
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://www.lakeerie.ohio.gov/LakeEriePro...nFund.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://lakeerie.ohio.gov.
-30-
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.
Media Contact
Edwin J. Hammett, Ohio Lake Erie Commission<br />
419. 245. 2514
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations<br />
614. 265. 6860