Lake Erie Is Dying (Again)

Invasive algae has overtaken Lake Erie, and biologists say the ecosystem is in real danger of collapse:

"The lake's center contains a growing dead zone, devoid of oxygen during summer months. Invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels are wreaking havoc with its ecology. The fish that make Lake Erie a tourism draw, including yellow perch and smallmouth bass, are seeing their predators grow and their habitats shrink."

Writer Barry Yeoman says there is plenty of blame to go around:

"...from changing agricultural methods to inattentive politicians to weaknesses in our nation's bedrock environmental protections -- many of which can partially trace their existence to concern over Lake Erie in the first place."