Is That Okay?

The waters of Lake Macatawa in September. While duckweed is not an alga and is not harmful, an overabundance does indicate high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus caused largely by agricultural runoff. Is green the new blue? Is that okay?

Inspired, in part, by Dan Egan’s recent book, The Death and Life of the Great Lakes, I find myself asking, are the decisions being made about our lakes good enough? Good enough to protect our quality of life, our drinking water, the many economies depending on a healthy ecosystem? Good enough to pass on to future generations? 
 
What do you think? 
 
While the 1972 Clean Water Act addressed the pollution caused from manufacturing pipes dumping chemicals and waste directly into our waterways, it did not address agricultural runoff fueling the increasing growth of algae in the Great Lakes and contaminated groundwater in rural communities. Known “best demonstrated agricultural practices” that would reduce the high nutrient loads in the water are voluntary. Is that okay? 
 
The plan created by the Army Corp to stop the Asian Carp from entering Lake Michigan will not be in place until 2025—and that depends on continued funding. Even so, this new approach—implemented only at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam—does not guarantee the Asian Carp will be stopped. Nor does the plan address the other 9 aquatic invasive species approaching Lake Michigan, nor the 39 invasive species flowing the opposite direction into the Mississippi River. Is that okay?
 
An increasing number of people no longer trust the safety of their drinking water because of the discovery of lead, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, high nutrient levels, and other contaminants in their tap water. Is that okay? 
 
Ocean freighters will not be required to cleanse ballast water until after 2021. Even then, the guidelines do not address the passage of invasive microscopic organisms into the waters of the Great Lakes. Is that okay?
 
Efforts to clean up the damage caused by the manufacturing era of the 1900s, including the 43 most toxic waterways and harbors in the Great Lakes (called Areas of Concern) identified by Canada and the U.S. in the Water Quality Agreement of 1987, are a line-item expense on the Congressional budget that must be negotiated and passed every year. Is that okay? 
 
The increasing frequency and intensity of storms in the region caused, in part, by climate change are overwhelming antiquated sewage systems that combine storm water runoff with sewage. The overflows result in millions of gallons of raw sewage spilling into the Great Lakes each year.  Is that okay? 
 
Despite campaign rhetoric to the contrary, the majority of Congressional leaders and Michigan legislators representing the western coast of Michigan scored significantly less than 50% on the League of Conservation Voters’ scorecard of 2017 that tracks voting records on legislation affecting the health of the Great Lakes, safe drinking water, pollution-free energy options, the protection of public parks and land, fair elections, and good government. Is that okay?
 
If any of these things are NOT OKAY, you can effect change. Vote Tuesday on behalf of the Great Lakes and the drinking water of your community—as if their health depends on you. It does. 

Lake Macatawa as seen from the stern of our boat

The Macatawa River