algal blooms

An aerial photo of a CAFO, or concentrated animal feeding operation. CAFOs are large livestock farms raising hundreds, often thousands, of animals. Water pollutants from these farms, like excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, are regulated by Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. A lawsuit at the Michigan Supreme Court calls into question the latest general permit EGLE issued to CAFOs. (Photo: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy)

IPR News

The Michigan Supreme Court is back in session. One case finds farmers at odds with clean water regulators

Ellie Katz

Michigan farmers are upset about the way the state regulates big livestock farms called CAFOs. Now, they’re in front of the Michigan Supreme Court in a case the state and environmental groups say could have serious consequences for Michigan’s water.

Nuisance blooms of didymo began appearing in the Western U.S. during the 1990s.

'Rock snot' algae found in Upper Manistee River

Patrick Shea

The discovery marks the first time didymo has been found in the lower peninsula.

Michigan Environment

Canadians offer plan to battle harmful algae blooms

Canada and the province of Ontario recently released their plan to combat toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie. Phosphorus is the primary cause of the blooms…

Michigan Environment

Planes, drone monitor harmful algae in Lake Erie

Algae blooms continue to color western Lake Erie a deep green. Now researchers and scientists want to know more about toxins produced by the algae -- and…

Michigan Environment

New partnership to work toward a cleaner Lake Erie

A new partnership has a plan to keep Lake Erie clean. The MI CLEAR group is made up of farmers, conservationists, environmental leaders, and more. Those…

Michigan Environment

Groups want EPA to curb Lake Erie’s toxic algal blooms

Environmental leaders are asking for federal help to fight pollution in Lake Erie. The National Wildlife Federation, along with U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell…

Michigan Environment

Rotary taking aim at algae blooms in Lake Erie

Stateside Staff

Half a million Toledo residents lost their drinking water in the summer of 2014 thanks to thick carpets of bacteria-laden algae on Lake Erie. It...

Michigan Environment

Critics say new Ohio law isn't enough to protect Lake Erie from fertilizer runoff

Rebecca Williams

The recent Toledo water crisis has farmers in Michigan and Ohio on the defensive. They’re pointing to a number of voluntary efforts they’re making to...

Michigan Environment

Report details ways to prevent, reduce cyanobacteria blooms in Lake Erie

Rebecca Williams

A toxin produced by a kind of cyanobacteria contaminated Toledo's water supply over the weekend. It left 400,000 people without drinking water. Blooms...

Michigan Environment

Will Toledo's water crisis be a wake-up call?

Stateside Staff

The city of Toledo has lifted a drinking water ban. The ban went into effect early Saturday after tests showed high levels of a toxin in the city’s...