Board again sidelines Kasich’s order on Lake Erie algae

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TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A state panel is again delaying Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s (KAY’-siks) plan to reduce farm fertilizer and manure feeding Lake Erie’s sometimes toxic algae blooms.

The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission voted 4-3 Thursday to hold off endorsing the plan until an oversight board sets rules for the proposed regulations.

Kasich wants the commission to allow his agriculture director to declare eight watersheds in distress, requiring an estimated 7,000 farms to evaluate their land and make changes to farming practices.

Farm groups have voiced concerns that not enough is known about how the plan would be carried out and how much it would cost.

A Kasich spokesman says it’s troubling that a majority of the commission members didn’t do the right thing.

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