The Land of Making The Lake Your Own

Q. How do microplastics get into the lake?

A. The problem is not just intentional littering of plastic bottles or straws on a beach. Wind, water runoff and flooding pick up plastic, which finds its way to our bodies of water, breaks down and becomes secondary microplastic. Primary microplastics, those created for commercial use, including those in microfiber clothing, are also a major source.

Q. How do microplastics relate to LEF’s opposition to building wind turbines in Lake Erie?

A. Turbine blades are made of plastic composites, which, when worn down, shed microplastic particles. The Icebreaker Wind project could potentially create a microplastics drift field in close proximity to the city of Cleveland’s water intake crib. While LEF supports the pursuit of clean and renewable energy, it opposes construction of wind turbines in the lake due to lack of independent, objective studies on lake effects, including the impact on birds. LEF not only objects to the excessive costs of building and maintaining Icebreaker, but also the resulting higher electricity cost to electric consumers.

— Jill Sell