Governor signs new regulations for some Ohio farmers in plan to reduce Lake Erie algae

Ohio's governor has put in place new rules that should help cut down on the pollutants feeding the algae in Lake Erie.

Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-siHk) said Thursday that the state is committed to protecting the lake, but it will take time for it to improve.

The changes are being made in response to the toxic algae that contaminated the drinking water for more than 400,000 people in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan eight months ago.

Among the new rules is one that will require farmers in much of northwestern Ohio to change how they store livestock manure to reduce the runoff into streams and rivers.

The state also has set a goal of ending the dumping of dredged sediment in Lake Erie within five years.