Michigan Misses 2025 Deadline to Curb Lake Erie Phosphorus Pollution

Michigan's revised plan to cut phosphorus pollution in Lake Erie lacks a new deadline, frustrating environmentalists.

May 28, 2025

Missed Deadlines and Unmet Goals: Michigan’s Struggle with Lake Erie Pollution

The fight against phosphorus pollution in Lake Erie is proving more challenging than anticipated for Michigan and its surrounding regions. Despite a decade of efforts and financial investments, the 2025 goal to curtail phosphorus levels remains unmet. As Michigan revises its strategy, it refrains from committing to a new timeline.

In a recent update, Michigan state officials admitted the need for more time to address the pollution feeding toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Erie. “Seeing how we’re implementing these newer approaches is an important step before updating some of the timelines,” stated Tim Boring, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director. He emphasized the importance of setting “realistic and achievable” future deadlines.

Lester Graham

Michigan Public

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring.

Environmental advocates argue that the current approach is inadequate unless stricter regulations are imposed on agricultural pollution. Rob Michaels from the Chicago-based Environmental Law & Policy Center commented on the situation, saying, “These were commitments made by the state of Ohio, by the state of Michigan, by the United States. And there hasn’t been any kind of honest reckoning with why they failed and why it’s continuing to happen.”

Back in 2015, Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario had pledged to cut phosphorus levels in Lake Erie by 40% compared to 2008 figures by 2025. However, it has become evident that this target will not be met, particularly with Michigan revealing its need for an extended timeline. Meanwhile, Ohio remains silent on the issue, as inquiries from Bridge Michigan went unanswered.

The City of Toledo water intake crib is often surrounded by toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Erie. The city had to install expensive equipment to keep its water safe.

In recent years, the River Raisin and Upper Maumee River watersheds in southeast Michigan reached the reduction target only once, in 2021, due to lower rainfall that year. The reliance on voluntary measures for pollution control has drawn criticism, as stakeholders call for more stringent regulations to ensure progress.

While Michigan has made strides in reducing phosphorus emissions from wastewater treatment facilities, the challenge remains with agricultural runoff. Boring highlighted worsening rainfall patterns over the last decade as a significant hurdle in meeting reduction goals.

Regions of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio are within the watershed of the western basin of Lake Erie and are responsible for the bulk of the phosphorus overloading the lake, leading to huge toxic cyanobacterial blooms. The watersheds are named after the major bodies of water that flow into Lake Erie. Michigan's watersheds cover the River Raisin and the upper portions of the Ottawa-Stony, Tiffin (called Bean Creek in Michigan), and the St. Joseph River. — Regions of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio are within the watershed of the western basin of Lake Erie and are responsible for the bulk of the phosphorus overloading the lake, leading to huge toxic cyanobacterial blooms. The watersheds are named after the major bodies of water that flow into Lake Erie. Michigan’s watersheds cover the River Raisin and the upper portions of the Ottawa-Stony, Tiffin (called Bean Creek in Michigan), and the St. Joseph River.

With the current system heavily dependent on voluntary participation, critics argue that it’s time for a shift towards enforced regulations. The voluntary approach, they say, hasn’t yielded the necessary reductions, pointing to the need for a more robust and accountable framework.

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