Everyone can play a part in ensuring health of Lake Ontario

Editor:

Lakewide Action and Management Plan (LAMP)s are programs used to assess, restore, protect and monitor the health of each Great Lake and its connecting river system. The Lake Ontario LAMP is reevaluated every five years, and priority objectives are decided upon, along with a plan of action created by New York State government and non-governmental organizations.

This plan of action should be promoted and followed by individuals in Niagara County because water pollution is a major problem for the Great Lakes, especially Lake Ontario. The Lake Ontario LAMP is an all-inclusive plan that addresses issues from the public and over twenty agencies, which means it has the public’s best interest at heart. It also conducts extensive research to guide its plan to restore the Great Lakes ecosystem, making it an effective plan to restore Lake Ontario’s polluted water.

There are many reasons why we should make cleaning up Lake Ontario a priority and follow the guidelines of this plan:

1.) Lake Ontario provides drinking water for over nine million people, making it an important resource for residents that live nearby.

2.) Lake Ontario provides services to support other ecosystems. It provides a habitat for several species of fish and plants. The lake also cycles nutrients and gas through

the soil, which provides plants with the food they need to thrive.

3.) Lake Ontario is a popular place for boating, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, for locals and tourists alike. Tourism contributes tremendous value to the basin economy,

 but also enhances the quality of life for residents.

4.) Lake Ontario is important for industries such as agriculture, transportation, shipping, and manufacturing. Hydroelectric power is also prevalent in the Lake and St. Lawrence River, and produces 25% of the energy in the surrounding area. These industries together generate 226,933 jobs in the US and Canada and generate billions of dollars in revenue, personal income, and direct spending in the regional economy.

The plans for improving water quality in Lake Ontario have been laid out based on scientific evidence, but everyone has to play their part to ensure our lake is prosperous.

Individuals can take part in the Adopt-A-Beach Program, which is organized by the Alliance for The Great Lakes Program. Teams of volunteers go to their local beaches, collect data and pick up litter, and then submit it to the database for experts to analyze pollution in the Great Lakes.

Another option is to donate or help out with the Buffalo Niagara WaterKeeper. This group has eight long-term projects in the Buffalo Area aimed at protecting freshwater quality in the Great Lakes region. To learn more, click here.

Sincerely,

Emma Evans

Twelfth Grade

Barker Central School