Discussion on toxic blue green algae testing, issues, and concerns at Milford Reservoir dominated a Milford Lake Stakeholders meeting Tuesday night.

The prescence of the algae has led to multiple watches, warnings, and some temporary lake closures during the past five years, and in turn negative impact for economic activity and recreation users of the reservoir.

Lonnie Clark, 65th District State Representative, told JC Post he wants the focus to be on resolving the blue green algae problem, and not on informing the public so extensively with watches and warnings. “I think we need to be looking at a way to get rid of the blue green algae, as opposed to trying to keep people from getting in it. I think we’re responsible adults coming to a lake. They should know that they have to keep their kids or their dogs out of the lake. We post the signs saying stay away from the stuff. Let them go in the lake, let them use the lake, give them the responsibility to stay out of the stuff.”

One person attending the meeting, Dr. Anwar Khoury, noted the testing  has hurt the lake and they need to get rid of it. He asked Kansas Department of Health and Environment watershed planner Tom Stiles, what would get the agency to stop testing for the algae. Stiles replied an act of the legislature, which would be opposed by KDHE as bad policy. He noted there are two avenues, one involving a political appeal to the Governor’s administration to stop the testing, or legislation that would limit how KDHE performs this duty.

The state made adjustments in their testing last winter to raise the level of toxins and cell counts before watches and warnings are implemented. Stiles told the meeting audience he thought KDHE was doing as good as they could right now but they are open to suggestions.  This year there were no major problems before July 4, but Stiles noted about 10 days later the problem blew up big on the north end of the reservoir, where it has continued to be a problem in what is called Zone C for 11 weeks with consistently high cell counts and toxin levels.

News releases have been issued on the blue green algae and status of lakes since 2011. It was reported that since those began there has been a decline in human illnesses and no animal fatalities due to the algae. In 2011 there were several cases of human illness and a couple of animal deaths.