House to have algae hearing Thursday

VAN WERT – A legislative committee will have a public meeting Thursday in Van Wert to discuss water quality in Ohio, including Lake Erie toxic algae.

The House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee will have the hearing at 1 p.m. at Cooper Farms, 6793 U.S. 127.

Blue-green algae blooms have been an issue in Lake Erie’s Western Basin since 2002. The algae, which is really a bacteria, can produce a toxin that can sicken people and pets and threatens municipal water systems and local tourism and fishing industries.

The committee is lead by Chairman Brian Hill, R-Zanesville, and Vice Chairman Tony Burkley, R-Payne.

The committee will hear from experts and local farmers regarding the issue of water quality and how to address the negative effects of harmful algae blooms in Lake Erie and other bodies of water.

Cooper Farms is a food supplier for areas across the country and includes two divisions: live animals and food processing. The company’s operations are across northwest and west central Ohio.

The committee also will have a hearing Feb. 12 at Sylvania City Council Chambers in Sylvania, near Toledo.