by Lois Wolfson
That old adage "too much of a good thing" applies especially well to phosphorus and its impact on lakes and streams. That's why strategies for reducing phosphorus in watersheds will take the main stage during Collaborative Solutions for Reducing Phosphorus in Agricultural and Urban Watersheds, a workshop hosted by Michigan State University Extension July 10 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing.
The workshop will highlight best management practices for phosphorus reduction, address recommendations from a recent Phosphorus Policy Advisory Committee report and initiate plans for implementation of several of the report recommendations. The agenda is designed to attract both public and private sector representatives as well as individuals interested in reducing phosphorus in lakes, streams and groundwater.
Phosphorus is an essential element needed in humans, plants and animals for a host of chemical reactions. It is also required for plant growth and used as a cleaning agent, and it's an important component in a variety of other products. But in too large amounts, phosphorus can be a huge environmental problem. It is often what's referred to as the limiting nutrient in lakes. In these systems, as long as it's not available or in low amounts, plant growth will stay in check. Once it's added, plants can grow to excessive levels. This increase in growth by both algae and rooted plants is often associated with a condition known as cultural eutrophication, which eventually leads to declining water quality. Major sources of phosphorus include fertilizers used in agriculture and on lawns, animal wastes, storm water runoff, and sewage and septic treatment systems.
In 2006, the Phosphorus Policy Advisory Committee was formed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to identify major sources of phosphorus, review voluntary and regulatory management approaches, and develop findings and recommendations. The final report, including 32 recommendations to address the problem, was released in 2007. In addition to regulatory changes, many of the recommendations dealt with the formation and implementation of incentive and voluntary programs, education and technical assistance, community education and monitoring.
The July 10 workshop will address some of these recommendations and initiate action plans for implementation. Hosted by the MSU Extension Water Team, the session is aimed at individuals, organizations and agencies interested in collaborating to address the priority recommendations from the final report. Objectives are understanding phosphorus cycling and its impact on Michigan's water resources, current and future trends in agricultural and lawn/turf phosphorus fertilizer management, collaboration to implement priority recommendations from the MDEQ phosphorus advisory committee and prioritizing implementation practices through facilitated work groups.
Several members of the advisory committee will make presentations. Sen. Patty Birkholz and MSU Extension Director Tom Coon will provide introductory remarks. Experts on technical and policy issues concerning phosphorus will also be available throughout the event. Jody Pollok-Newsom, host of "Michigan Farm and Garden" and executive director of the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan and the Michigan Corn Growers Association, will moderate the meeting.
Registration is $50 ($35 for students) and includes lunch. An agenda and information on registration is available on the Web at: www.iwr.msu.edu/events/PConference. For further information or a copy of the brochure, contact the conference coordinator, Allen Krizek at 517-373-9813 or kreizek@msu.edu. Sponsors of the meeting are the MSU Water Area of Expertise, MSU Extension, the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, the Institute of Water Research, the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, and the CSREES Great Lakes Regional Water Program.
This article was originally published in the May 2008 issue of the Scoop. Click here to read the entire issue.