The federal government will offer $2 million to Ohio farmers to help prevent farm runoff that contributes to potentially harmful algae blooms.
Farmers in 20 counties in the western Lake Erie watershed can apply for some of the funds to plant cover crops to reduce nutrient runoff and erosion. The federal money, provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, aims to reduce future algae blooms. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Toledo Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur announced the funds in Toledo. Earlier this month, toxins from algae in Lake Erie left about 400,000 people without clean tap water for several days. Brown calls the federal funding -- a critical component to stopping runoff before it starts.
