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State Representative Jim Buchy
Grand Lake St.
Marys – Continuing Efforts
Grand Lake St. Marys is an important fixture in west central Ohio,
drawing people from all over the state during summer months. The lake
also offers an economic boost to the surrounding communities, local
businesses, and the rest of the Auglaize and Mercer Counties. The vital
economic boost it provides to the region is important to consider as
the lake undergoes continued restoration work.
The lake season started off positive, but as with years before, it is
experiencing algae blooms. It is important that work continue on
resolving this issue, first and foremost, so that visitors to Grand
Lake St. Marys will have a positive experience and stay longer to spend
more money, supporting our economy.
Restoring the health of the lake is a major issue, and one that will
take time. Sediment build-up within the lake is a situation that has
developed over hundreds of years, but little by little it is improving.
Just as it took many years for the sediment to reach current levels, it
will take many years to clean out the sediment from the lake.
There is one operational treatment train on Prairie Creek that
naturally cleans incoming water to the lake. As a result of its
success, more treatment trains are being constructed at Grand Lake St.
Marys in the coming months and years.
During restoration, the state has been committed to funding projects to
improve the health of the lake, and the future continues to look bright
as the Lake Facilities Authority comes together to help resolve issues
pertaining to water quality in the agricultural community and in
the lake.
Additionally, local elected officials and the state of Ohio are making
substantial efforts to preserve the quality of the lake. Local farmers
are also helping the process through voluntarily improving their
practices. The collaboration of these various entities has shown there
is a lot of positive direction for improving Grand Lake St. Marys.
While many positive and pro-active steps have been taken in addressing
the continued restoration of Grand Lake St. Marys, it is important that
this work continue. Not only will the lake benefit from these efforts,
but so will the neighboring communities. The long-range plan to make
the lake better has made much progress already, and the restoration yet
to be completed will continue to make Grand Lake St. Marys a
hotspot of family recreation and economic vitality for years to
come.
Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this
month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyjuly2014.
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