Agricultural runoff

When it rains, excess fertilizer and manure from farm fields flow into streams and rivers that feed the Great Lakes. This pollution fuels algal blooms that can make water toxic to fish, wildlife, and people.

Visit our campaign page to learn about stopping agricultural pollution at the source. Learn more about agricultural runoff below.

Press Release

March 13, 2019

Environmental Groups File 60-day Notice of Clean Water Act Lawsuit Against U.S. EPA for Failure to Act After Finding of Impaired Waterways in NE Indiana

Joint Media Statement by Alliance for the Great Lakes, Environmental Law and Policy Center, and Hoosier Environmental Council Hammond, IN (March 13, 2019) – Today, the Environmental Law & Policy […]

BLOG

July 12, 2018

Western Lake Erie Harmful Algal Blooms

Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its annual harmful algal bloom forecast for Lake Erie. Every year, agricultural runoff pollution causes harmful algal blooms. This thick, green algae […]

Press Release

July 11, 2018

Statement: New Ohio Executive Order a Step in the Right Direction to Rescue Lake Erie

Chicago, IL (July 11, 2018) – Today Ohio Governor John Kasich signed Executive Order 2018-09K: Taking Steps to Protect Lake Erie. Alliance for the Great Lakes President & CEO Joel […]

Blog

May 1, 2018

All in for a Clean Green Bay

Last month marked a turning point for the Fox Watershed Leadership Roundtable, a coalition of farmers, community leaders, and local government officials working for clean water in Wisconsin’s Green Bay […]

BLOG

May 1, 2018

How We’re Working to Solve Green Bay’s Pollution Problem

Imagine: an area under Green Bay’s surface so low in oxygen that it can’t support life. The cause? Algae fueled by runoff pollution that flows into the bay. Every time […]

Press Release

March 22, 2018

Ohio EPA’s Declaration of Lake Erie as ‘Impaired’ is a Step in the Right Direction

Cleveland (March 22, 2018) – Today the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency announced the listing of the open waters of western Lake Erie as “impaired” under the Clean Water Act in […]

Press Release

March 7, 2018

Conservation, Environmental Groups Note Progress, Disappointed with Lack of Accountability in EPA’s Domestic Action Plan for Lake Erie

Joint media statement from Alliance for the Great Lakes, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and National Wildlife Federation March 7, 2018 (Toledo, OH) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency […]

Standpoint Series

December 6, 2017

Getting Clear: Clean Water and Agriculture

This is the fifth of eight articles in the Standpoint Series, a set of short essays meant to articulate our perspective and spark conversation. This summer, a layer of green sludge […]

Press Release

October 10, 2017

New Report Details Lackluster Effort by Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario in Lake Erie Cleanup

Joint Press Release from Alliance for the Great Lakes, Freshwater Future, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and Ohio Environmental Council October 10, 2017 (Chicago) – Environmental and conservation groups today […]

Special Report

October 10, 2017

Rescuing Lake Erie: An Assessment of Progress

In June 2015, under pressure from people across the Great Lakes region, the Governors of Ohio and Michigan joined the Premier of Ontario and committed to reducing the amount of […]