In the past, there was great effort by residents and the LIA to secure the frozen ground legislation.  Recent scientific evidence proved that the legislation is slightly working to prevent nutrients from being washed into Grand Lake St. Marys.  It was a very small improvement but it was helping.  Under the guise of standardizing the manure application rules, the Ohio Department of Agriculture proposed eliminating the “frozen ground legislation”.
 
Today, the Joint Committee of Agency Rule and Review (JCARR) voted down the rule change.  Though a small victory for stopping the polluting of GLSM, it was a huge victory for those citizens who are fighting for clean water in our watershed.  It is huge because for once in the decades of the fight for clean water in GLSM, this is one of two victories versus the countless losses.  The first significant win was the passage of the “frozen ground legislation” and the second victory is the fight to keep it on the books.
 
As Benjamin Harrison stated, “The bud of victory is always in the truth.”  The Guardians of Grand Lake St. Marys has always operated from the facts, or the truth, about the polluting of Grand Lake St. Marys.  This has been the standard we set for the organization when it was newly formed and we have never deviated from that standard.
 
I’m proud of the effort that we have made to keep the truth in front of the public and local and state officials.  Our efforts to do this has is the foundation of our credibility which in turn is the foundation of our integrity.  I applaud all of our members who are supportive of our efforts.

The Guardians of Grand Lake St. Marys (GOGLSM) is pleased with the firing of Ohio Department of Agriculture, Director David Daniels but they ask for more firings.  Director Daniels has been complicit in the pollution of Ohio’s waterways but he has not acted alone.  Daniels has colluded with OH Department of Natural Resources Director James Zehringer, OH EPA Director Craig Butler, Ohio Representative Keith Faber and Attorney General Mike DeWine to protect agribusiness in Ohio at all costs.
 
Countless studies, bogus projects, misinformation campaigns by the Kasich Administration has given the public the impression that they are working hard to clean-up Ohio’s waterways.  The Administration has been slow to act on Freedom of Information Act requests for manure management plans prevent the public from examining manure management plans. 
 
In 2010, Grand Lake St. Marys (GLSM) experienced a lake-wide blue-green algae bloom.  Full disclosure of the cause of the approximate 20,000ppb microcystins levels in GLSM have never been released.  The Administration will claim they have spent nearly $40 million in its attempt to clean up Grand Lake St. Marys but in reality, these funds were spent on projects that had little chance of improving the lake. 
 
Scientific research has proven the frozen ground legislation passed in March, 2013 has made miniscule but definite improvement in Grand Lake St. Marys.  Now, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is moving forward to remove this legislation (Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Chapter 901:13-1 (11, 19, 20, and 99). GOGLSM asks Gov. Kasich to veto this legislation if it reaches his desk.
 
With only three months left in his administration, Gov. Kasich can take some quick actions to start the processes for cleaning up Ohio’s waterways, including designating all qualifying bodies of water as distressed, requiring TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Load) for these waterways and require clean-up solutions that are supported by scientific research and have permanent solution for preventing these Ohio disaster areas.

Last week, I watched the disastrous impact of Hurricane Michael.  It looked like a war zone at Mexico Beach, FL and surrounding environs.  My best friend lives 15mins. from Panama City and the things, she is seeing and having to deal with is incredible.  Then I learned of my mother's hometown in Virginia was under a state of emergency from Michael. I had such a strong emotional reaction for these people for whom I care for and the others whose lives were impacted by the hurricane.

The national disasters get so much attention by the news, elected officials, government officials and the public.  People put their differences aside to help each other.  I believe at these times we see the true Christian values in people.  But where are these values when the disaster is not national or natural?

I have watched as this man-made disaster of the death of Grand Lake St. Marys continue on and on.  Where are the elected officials who care about this lake?  Where are the government officials who care about this lake?  Where is the public outrage about this lake?  Where is the public outcry for your neighbors whose health is at risk, whose property values have declined, who have lost jobs and businesses.  Where are the community’s Christian values?  Many sit in church every Sunday thinking this makes you a good Christian but then dumps millions of raw, untreated animal manure into Grand Lake St. Marys while knowing the harm it is doing directly and indirectly tour community.  Christianity is the anti-thesis to greed and wealth which agribusiness in our community cling to with no remorse.  Ask yourself, do you want your community too continue having this reputation?  I was raised that a good Christian is one who helps his fellow man and does nothing to harm them or their family.

The Guardians of Grand Lake St. Marys has asked repeatedly for help and support.  When a certain elected state official tried to prevent us from meeting, where were the good Americans in the area to fight for our basic Constitutional right of assembly.  When our mail was being returned by a local post office, where were the Americans to stand up to this type of harassment by a government agency.

Do you really care about Grand Lake St. Marys?  If so, stand up and help us fight for clean water - a basic human right.

Each time you watch a national disaster on TV, remember one of Ohio's greatest disasters is the death of Grand Lake St. Marys.  As agribusiness works to turn our beautiful lake into just another field of corn, ask yourself what should I have done to stop it.

After the horrible algae year in 2016 with Microcystins levels reaching 180ppb, there is still no plan for cleaning up Grand Lake St. Marys (GLSM).  Guardians of GLSM or GOGLSM, have many questions about lake clean-up.  Where did Milt Miller go and why?  Who will be filling his position?  Since the treatment trains have had NO impact on cleaning up GLSM, what is Gov. Kasich going to do now?  Why don't the local and state officials tell citizens the truth about the lake rising danger levels of microcystins.

GLSM has seen a steady increase in toxin levels since 2010, while local and state officials have boasted that the lake is getting better, the truth they didn't want you to know is that the toxins were growing at an alarming rate.  There has been a steady increase in the microcystin levels, which is the second most dangerous toxin.

Finally, the Ohio Department of Health has gotten involved with the latest posting of GLSM - "Danger - Avoid all contact with the water!".  This came as the result an individual became sick from riding a jet ski on GLSM.  Her doctor reported it to the Ohio Department of Health, who then posted the "Danger" warning.

If the Kasich Administration won't be honest, GOGLSM will always be honest with the status of the toxin levels.  Our recommendation is to have no contact with the water.

If you are tired of our lake being so polluted email Gov. Kasich at http://www.governor.ohio.gov/Contact/ContacttheGovernor.aspx.  Ask him why after 7+ years and $20 million is our lake  at 180ppb microcystins in 2016 and when will he get serious about cleaning up GLSM?

Our fight will continue yet another year!  Join us or donate to our organization.

Thank you,   
Kate Anderson, President
Guardians of Grand Lake St. Marys

Guardians recently testified against the Pine River Valley mega chicken laying facility in an attempt to prevent the facility from being built on a "sole source aquifer."  

The Dept. of Agriculture and local governments are limiting their notification to local citizens when it comes to conducting public hearings on mega animal facility.  Local residents in the Spencerville area did not know that the Dept. of Agriculture was about to approve an 2.2 million chicken laying facility in their area.

Why is the Kasich Administration continuing to approve more and more animals in the Grand Lake St. Marys and the Lake Erie watersheds when the manure pollution from local farms are destroying these lakes?

The current administration cares very little about the economic woes they are creating for local areas but more importantly putting the public health at risk so that local farmers can make a few more dollars of profit.  We need a "Do No Harm to the Environment" policy with every CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) application.  Frankly, there should be a ban on any additional animals put in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed until the lake is cleaned up.

Agribusiness in Ohio rules state and local government with total disregard for the health and safety of Ohio citizens.  People need to start complaining to the Governor's office about the poor administration by the Dept. of Agriculture regarding these mega animal facilities.

What will it take for these officials to get serious about cleaning up our lake?  Most people believe it will be when someone dies from the pollution (if they aren't already).  Where is the christian values in continuing an agriculture policy that encourage the destruction of people's health, their local economy and the State's natural resources?

Greed is killing Ohio's waterways and local and state officials don't care.  There should be a new policy approach to CAFOs of "do no harm."

Once again the Guardians are slighted by the local press.  


Wednesday, April 20th, 2016 
By Nancy Allen
People pack meeting opposing chicken farm 
Residents fear worsened lake water quality, wells going dry, more traffic 

  CELINA - About 150 people attended a contentious public hearing in Celina Tuesday night, most to protest a 1.69 million cage-free layer-hen operation proposed on Fleetfoot Road northeast of St. Henry. 
Twenty-three people spoke against WDC Eggs LLC, which was formed by Cooper Farms Inc., Weaver Brothers Inc. and Division Farms LLC. An environmental attorney representing the proposed facility was the only person to speak in its favor. 
The Ohio Department of Agriculture may host public hearings for draft permits to install and operate before the facility can be approved. 
Most of the concerns centered around fears of worsened water quality in Grand Lake, wells going dry, increased traffic and a degraded quality of life. The facility would be located in the Grand Lake Watershed. 
Tim Lovett, president of the 1,200-member Lake Improvement Association, said it would be "irresponsible" to allow the operation in the watershed, which has been designated distressed by the state. 
"The lake is full of nutrients," Lovett said. "That adding more animals makes sense is incomprehensible." 
The lake was labeled distressed in 2011 after humans and animals were sickened by blue-green algal toxins in the lake in 2010. A massive, stench-producing algal bloom also enveloped the lake in 2010. Toxin levels were so high the state issued a no-contact water advisory, halting lake use and causing area businesses to lose money. OEPA studies show most of the nutrients that flow into the 13,500-acre lake come from farmland, the largest land use in the 58,000-acre livestock-heavy watershed. 
Lake Restoration Commission Manager Milt Miller compared the proposed operation to an industrial facility and called it a "slap in the face" to those trying to help the lake. The LRC plans to appeal the permits, if necessary, to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission, he said. 
The farm's draft permit to install calls for building 16 layer-hen barns, an onsite egg-processing facility, three egg-wash manure lagoons and two manure storage barns. The processing facility would produce roughly 2.15 million gallons of liquid egg-wash manure water annually. The liquid would be stored in an interconnected, three-stage pond system that could hold 2.37 million gallons, equal to about 400 days of storage. The farm would generate about 48,000 tons of poultry manure annually. 
ODA officials said the manure would be moved out of the watershed to manure brokers and farmers. The liquid egg-wash manure water would be applied on 17 acres of ground around the operation on a rotating alfalfa crop, the draft permit to install says. Plans also are in place to control insects and rodents and dispose of dead birds. 
Mercer County Economic Development Director Jared Ebbing said a water resource study is needed. The amount of water the facility would use per day - 100,000 gallons - is equal to the amount used by the village of Fort Recovery, he noted. 
"Coopers is a fantastic company and this is a fantastic potential project, but at this time because of the watershed issue and because of the uncertainty of water resources, it makes it problematic for the long-term future of our communities," he said. "In Coldwater and St. Henry, what will it look like in five or 10 years if there is not enough water to go around? Without an actual study, we simply don't know." 
Several people living near the site said they feared they would not have enough water for their livestock. 
"Cooper has served the community well, but you will put distress on the residents of Coldwater and St. Henry and Grand Lake," said Donna Wuebker. "Our cows need water. What are we going to do if our well goes dry?" 
Craig Moeller, who lives across the road from the proposed facility, agreed and called for a study to ensure farmers' and residents' wells would not be affected.   
"When does my quality of life come into play?" asked Christine Hannewald, who lives a mile north of the site. "And what about Grand Lake? There are a number of farmers working to help the lake. How will a 1.7 million chicken farm not have an impact on Grand Lake?" 
Jack Van Kley, an environmental attorney representing WDC Eggs, said the operation would be state of the art and would not harm the community. In addressing crowd concerns about odor and flies, Van Kley said steps would be taken if those issues were to arise. 
"You know the families involved," he said. "They are outstanding members of the community, and they will continue to represent this community. If any problems arise, they will address them." 
Van Kley said the egg-wash manure water would be "very dilute" at the end of the three-pond treatment process and that alfalfa fields around the proposed facility where the water would be applied would easily handle the liquid. 
If area wells are impacted by the facility, WDC and Cooper Farms would "make it right," Van Kley said 
"We want it in writing," an angry woman shouted back at him. 
Many people who commented spoke longer than the three minutes allotted, refusing to yield when ODA officials said their time was up. The meeting was punctuated by applause after several speakers' comments. 
Even after the ODA formally closed the 90-minute hearing, it continued, with several people grilling Van Kley. 
Answers to questions posed during the hearing and answers submitted to the ODA during a public comment period that ends 5 p.m. April 26 will be sent to individuals in a responsiveness summary, said Kevin Elder, chief of the ODA's Livestock Environmental Permitting Program. Comments can be delivered or mailed to ODA Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting, 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 through April 26. 
Appeals to the draft permits can be sent to ERAC at 77 S. High St., 17th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. 
During the history of its permitting program, the ODA has denied one permit for a poultry facility in Union County that he is aware of, ODA spokesman Brett Gates said this morning.

Farmers want all of us to ignore their horrible pollution of GLSM but they will NOT reciprocate any caring about all who are suffering because of the pollution.  The Bible says we should love our neighbor which does not mean dump uncontrolled amounts of manure into our lake which creates health problems, people losing their retirement investments and home values, jobs being lost, businesses being lost and tens of millions of dollars in tourism dollars.  When is enough for people around GLSM before they stand up to this miscarriage of justice.  The Bible is not for picking the parts you like and ignoring the parts you don't.

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Joe really points out the problem with the infestation of Cyanobacteria and who knows what else, in our drinking water sources at GLSM and Lake Erie. Our legislators do not have the will to fix the problem and the agriculture industry hides behind their lack of courage. After all if you get that kind of protection why not pollute?  Bottom line if it is going to cost the polluters money to abate their BMP's(bad management practices) then the rest of the people can just suffer through their lack of Quality of life!

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Ohio's poison water Monday, March 28, 2016 6:34 PM

The Columbus Dispatch  |  Apr 04, 2016

Pardon me for shouting, but I’ve just read a study that makes a point I want to emphasize:

WE’RE CHOKING LAKE ERIE WITH FERTILIZER AND MANURE!
There, I feel better already.  Actually, no I don’t.

I live in Ohio, whose political leaders just can’t seem to get excited about the fact that the state has poisonous water. Come on, people: You’re supposed to be calm in a crisis, not inert.

Last week, a study conducted by six universities, including Ohio State, concluded that big changes in farming practices are necessary to stop the lake’s western basin from turning green with toxic algae every summer. (Read it at graham.umich.edu/water if you don’t mind dry, technical prose.)
The algae is fed by phosphorous, a component of fertilizers and manure that pour into Lake Erie via the Maumee River.

The agriculture industry is already complaining that the study focused too much on agriculture. Perhaps this paragraph from the study explains why:
“While all sources are important, our focus is on agriculture because it overwhelms other sources. For example, approximately 98% of (phosphorous) input to the Maumee watershed comes from agricultural sources, and a conservative estimate shows that 85% of the Maumee River’s load to Lake Erie comes from farm fertilizers and manures.”

The study says that to meet the target of cutting phosphorous by 40 percent (agreed to in a U.S.-Canada pact) would require some unpalatable remedies, such as converting a lot of farmland to grassland. Even the study authors say that’s unrealistic.

Changes in agricultural practices that cut runoff without hobbling a vital industry are the only way to go. But someone has to force the issue because a voluntary effort hasn’t worked.

The problem isn’t confined to Lake Erie.
Buckeye Lake, Grand Lake St. Marys and the Ohio River have all had algae blooms. Last summer, toxic algae was found in untreated water at a Columbus treatment plant. Two years ago, 400,000 people in the Toledo area couldn’t drink their tap water because of algae contamination.

I think even the small-government ideologues in the legislature would find it hard to deny that the state has a duty to protect a resource as valuable as Lake Erie, with its fishing, boating, hotel, restaurant and recreation industries.
When are they going to do it?

Their inaction sends a message. Here it is:

“Until further notice, we’ve decided to keep the manure and fertilizer flowing. True, we are in effect telling one industry to go ahead and pollute in a way that threatens the well-being of several others. But that’s politics. Have a blooming good summer.”

Joe Blundo is a Dispatch columnist.
jblundo@dispatch.com

I must say that the politics whirling around the polluting of Grand Lake St. Marys is the absolute worse I have ever seen.  After talking with our state elected officials from the area, I am amazed at how little they care about the people living in their districts who are suffering great personal financial loss due to the continued polluting of Grand Lake St. Marys.  

These elected officials are fully aware that the lake is unhealthy for users and for drinking water;  people have or are losing jobs;  businesses are still struggling or having to shut down;  property values of homes in the lake area are losing 30-50% of their value and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have refused mortgage lending based on GLSM being too polluted;  $60-80million/yr. lost to the local economies in tourism dollars; higher water prices because of the added expense of attempting to filter out the toxins in the lake primarily caused by nutrient run-off;  loss tax revenue due to less people visiting the area, the lower sale prices for homes, and less businesses contributing sales tax; but these elected officials still stand firm to protect the farmers dumping manure in the GLSM watershed.  

According to the U.S. Census Data, agriculture is 1% of the economic sector in Mercer Co. Why are our local and elected officials willing to sacrifice the losses mentioned above by citizens in the area for a hand full of livestock producers who are addicted to their form of government welfare.  These livestock producers don't want to change their farming practices for the good of everyone in the watershed!  

In fact, the State of Ohio is paying these farmers to pollute.  What do I mean by this?  The State allows farmers to dump raw and untreated manure into the lake rather than having to pay to have it hauled out. Disposal of waste is paid by everyone whether it is industrial waste or personal garbage. It is a legitimate business expense.  So, why do livestock manufacturing facilities get a free ride?  

Currently, the State of Ohio is paying local livestock producers to pollute our waterways by shifting this expense to the general public.  I was first amused by this line the first time I heard it.  "Farmers are paid to pollute."  I quickly realized the very sad truth about this statement.  Livestock producers are allowed to freely spread their animals' by-products, namely manure, growth hormones and antibiotics, without having to pay for the expense of proper disposal.  Proper disposal would prevent these nutrients from entering and polluting Grand Lake St. Marys. 

So, how is John/Jane Doe subsidizing it?  As loss tourism dollars impact our local governments and their services, ex. higher water prices, and lower tax revenues due to property values dropping 30-50%. We are faced with higher taxes shouldered by the other 99% of the economic sector.  YES!!  According to the latest US Census Data, agribusiness represents only 1% of the economic sector in Mercer County. 

The actions of our state and local officials to protect this 1% at the expense of the other 99% is deplorable.  As the communities around Grand Lake St. Marys continue to decline economically because of the unstifled pollution, I wondered, "what are elected officials thinking? This is not sustainable, sorry Rep. Buchy, I know you don't like that word. But let's look at what is meant by the word - "sustainable".  According to the United States Government the definition is the following:

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.

Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment.    
                         Source:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

This sounds pretty reasonable!  So, why does the state and local elected officials and governments think sustainable clean water cannot be reached since livestock producers won't pay for the disposal of their facilities' waste  in a way that makes the watershed sustainable for everyone.  It's perplexing, especially since agribusiness has drawn down a quarter of a BILLION dollars in the last twenty years.  Interesting isn't it?  In the last twenty years, we have seen the livestock population increase by approximately 40% and this doesn't include chickens.  So, with that amount of government subsidy for the livestock producers, it seems they are better positioned to pay for hauling out their manure than the rest of us.

So, I think it a good idea for the other 99% of the economic sector and the general public, if all garbage disposal is free. The cost to local government for the free collection of all waste should be recovered by a livestock and chicken per head tax.  Also, funds from this tax could pay for the additional filtration system being used by the City of Celina in an attempt to provide clean drinking water for the City of Celina.  This approach would allow for water prices to fall back to normal for the general public.  Now that would begin leveling the playing field for the non-livestock producers in the area. Local elected officials should not discriminate on who receives free services. 


People in the area must not give up hope that something will be done about the polluting of GLSM.  The struggle with the State of Ohio and livestock producers in the watershed  has been going on for two decades. Which, oh by the way, is why it has taken nearly two decades for the lake to get this polluted.

It's time for people to get serious about cleaning up the lake and protecting the assets of our community which are slowly being destroyed by nutrient run-off and its complications.

In a recent meeting with Sen. Keith Faber, he threatened that "this lake doesn't have to remain a recreational lake."  Which was followed by this following simple question put to Sen. Faber, "Is there any benefit to the State of Ohio in NOT cleaning up this lake?"  Needless to say, Sen. Faber was outraged by this comment.  But really folks, think about it, he knows the economic impact the pollution is costing the communities around GLSM has experienced, so why does he continue to protect the livestock producers.

The reality is that the state and local elected officials and administrators are all in lock-step together to protect these livestock producers at ALL costs which are our health, our investments, our jobs, our businesses and our services.

As these leaders, protect their pockets, they expect the rest of us to pay the price.  As one member stated to Rep. Buchy at our first public meeting, "The State should cleanup this lake before someone gets sick and dies", of which Rep. Buchy responded, "people die everyday".  This attitude is systemic throughout local and state government and it will never change unless the general public finds the energy to step up once again and demand that something be done and be done now.

So, if you still care about GLSM but think that nothing is going to be done about the pollution so why try, then you need to re-think it.  We can do something about it!  Our country holds sacred three American principles on freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and the power of the vote.  Though several local and state officials continue to interfere with these rights, Guardians of Grand Lake St. Marys continues to fight for everyone. All we want is clean water.  So, why are local and state governments and elected officials so threatened by this, shouldn't everyone be for clean water?!

We are lobbying for REAL ACTION by Ohio elected officials and governmental agencies.  We want the state or federal government to cleanup Grand Lake St. Marys and Ohio's other waterways.  With the world's drinking water supply disappearing at alarming rates.  We should be protecting every inch of our streams and lakes in Ohio.

                   "What are elected officials thinking?"