Julie Lawson collects samples of microplastics while at Trash Free Maryland. Now directing the Mayor's Office of the Clean City in D.C., Lawson coordinates litter reduction efforts throughout the District. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program)
Thank you Julie for caring about the waterways in your part of our beautiful country. In June we begin a cruising trip from Englewood, Fl to Metro Detroit and found your article while researching the Chesapeake Bay. I always assumed that most of our Countries waterways were in good shape, and I was surprised to read that other areas have problems similar to what we are facing in Lake Erie. We are recreational boaters and spend our summers boating in Lake Erie and Lake St Claire and our winters boating the Florida Gulf Coast ICW. Come mid summer the center of Lake Erie has a pitiful area of bright green slime/algae that we have to cruise through to get to the islands of Ohio. It is said to be due to the fertilizers from the Ohio Lake Erie watershed. Lake St Claire, the Detroit River and continuing 15 miles into Lake Erie from the Detroit river is absolutely beautiful blue water (as is the whole of Lake Erie for the first months of the boating season). I hope at some point someone such as yourself takes an active role in bringing back Lake Erie. I am 61 and I remember when I was a child (1960-70's) Lake Erie was so polluted we could not swim in it. The beaches were full of dead fish. My parents still took us to the State parks for holidays. Once I snuck in the water and came out with clear balls of jelly in my swim suit. That's how bad it was. Needless to say the picnic was over for me for that day. Lake Erie was eventually cleaned up, we swam and boated freely, but the algae blooms began a few years ago. I hope your big picture of 10,000 yards of swimming beaches for everyone in DC becomes a reality sooner rather than later. I will think of you when we reach the Chesapeake and keep up the great work!!!
Thank you!
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Thank you Julie for caring about the waterways in your part of our beautiful country. In June we begin a cruising trip from Englewood, Fl to Metro Detroit and found your article while researching the Chesapeake Bay. I always assumed that most of our Countries waterways were in good shape, and I was surprised to read that other areas have problems similar to what we are facing in Lake Erie. We are recreational boaters and spend our summers boating in Lake Erie and Lake St Claire and our winters boating the Florida Gulf Coast ICW. Come mid summer the center of Lake Erie has a pitiful area of bright green slime/algae that we have to cruise through to get to the islands of Ohio. It is said to be due to the fertilizers from the Ohio Lake Erie watershed. Lake St Claire, the Detroit River and continuing 15 miles into Lake Erie from the Detroit river is absolutely beautiful blue water (as is the whole of Lake Erie for the first months of the boating season). I hope at some point someone such as yourself takes an active role in bringing back Lake Erie. I am 61 and I remember when I was a child (1960-70's) Lake Erie was so polluted we could not swim in it. The beaches were full of dead fish. My parents still took us to the State parks for holidays. Once I snuck in the water and came out with clear balls of jelly in my swim suit. That's how bad it was. Needless to say the picnic was over for me for that day. Lake Erie was eventually cleaned up, we swam and boated freely, but the algae blooms began a few years ago. I hope your big picture of 10,000 yards of swimming beaches for everyone in DC becomes a reality sooner rather than later. I will think of you when we reach the Chesapeake and keep up the great work!!!
Thank you!
Your comment has been received. Before it can be published, the comment will be reviewed by our team to ensure it adheres with our rules of engagement.
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