The U.S. Army Engineers have pulled out of the testing efforts for blue-green algae and will not send alerts pertaining to potentially toxic blooms.
The corps managed the blooms that occur during the summer in Oregon lakes, warning people regarding the algae blooms. They were responsible for sampling the blue-green algae blooms to find out which algae was poisonous as all blooms are not toxic.
However, the poisonous blooms create byproducts such as neurotoxins that interfere with the human body's ability to send signals and inform the lungs to breathe, as well as the heart to beat.
The corps has withdrawn from the statewide health agency which was pivotal in alerting people and is sure of their decision and will not reconsider the same.
Public health experts have expressed their concern as they believe that plenty of issues can be created if one does not know if a particular bloom is poisonous or not. Microbiology professor Theo Dreher is of the opinion that the corps should at least test out blooms in popular spots such as Dorena, Dexter, Cottage Grove and Fern Ridge in Lane County as these are frequented by a large number of people in summer.
"It would be far better to know whether a bloom is toxic or not," per Dreher. If people are not aware then it would be "unwise and problematical."
The U.S. Army Engineers, however, have another solution to offer - posting signs alerting people. The corps said that they will put up metal signs which will detail how one can figure out if a blue-green algae bloom is potentially toxic. These signs will be put up at the popular spots such as beaches and boat ramps.
These signs will replace the practice of testing blooms individually, issuing public warning systems and particular warning signs as decided by the corps last fall. The old system alerted people not to touch or drink the water, as well as desist from inhaling the droplets.
People are concerned how effective the new warning signs will be and fear they may blend into the background and possibly ignored.
The U.S. Army Engineers were responsible for managing several lakes in Willamette Valley, which are prone to algae blooms during the summer. The algae blooms, however, are not limited to this area and are also found in several other water bodies that are managed by different agencies.
While the U.S. Army Engineers will discontinue their testing effort, the water bodies that are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, as well as several state and country park agencies, will continue to have advisories and testing.
Photo: David Simmonds | Flickr
