Cornelia Schneider: Where do the candidates stand on protecting lakes from cyanobacteria

To The Daily Sun,

Summertime blooms are lovely, but not when they are cyanobacteria blooms. This season we’ve already seen more cyanobacteria blooms than in past years. Cyanobacteria are ancient organisms which have always been a component of our lakes and ponds. These photosynthetic microorganisms are one of the oldest living organisms and are thought to be responsible for changing the Earth’s environment into the oxygen rich atmosphere we know today. Without cyanobacteria there would be no us.

The problem exists when there’s a shift in balance resulting in cyanobacteria blooms. Warmer lake temperatures along with phosphorus loading result in more toxic blooms. When conditions are right, cyanobacteria can spread across the surface of a pond or lake, covering it with a green, algae-like film. This is the cyanobacteria bloom which is dangerous to people and animals. When the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services posts a cyanobacteria warning, they recommend against swimming or wading in the water. Cyanobacteria toxin can also be aerosolized behind the wake of a boat, potentially causing people or pets to inhale the toxin.

For more information about cyanobacteria, check out the NHDES website. Waterfront home or business owners can look into the New Hampshire Lakes LakeSmart program, a program whose goal is to encourage property owners to maintain homes and property in ways that protect our lake water quality.

For questions about cyanobacteria monitoring, contact the newly created Town of Moultonborough Cyanobacteria Committee on Facebook or by email at cyanobacteria.kevinkelly@gmail.com. Everyone can protect our watershed.

This election season, be sure to query candidates about what they plan to do reduce cyanobacteria blooms. We need more funding at NHDES to handle the problem. Political candidates must not be allowed to deny or minimize this issue.

Cornelia Schneider

Moultonborough