Page 16 - Mid America Boating - July 2024 issue

Lake Erie algal Richard McKee, Jr.

bloom forecast is honored as

for 2024 Mid-America Boating

Skipper of the Year
One of Lake Erie Foundation’s top priorities
is to work to reduce the yearly harmful algal
blooms. They continue to work towards a 40% Hello! I am Richard McKee, Jr., and I am honored to be chosen 15 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ]
nutrient reduction in Lake Erie’s western and as the 2023 Mid-America Boating Skipper of the Year.
central basins by 2025 so that algal blooms I grew up in Lakewood, Ohio and graduated from Lakewood
are less severe in impacting Lake Erie waters. High School in 1981. After graduation, I joined the United
LEF works closely with Ohio Sea Grant, States Marine Corp and served for four years. I am currently
Stone Lab partners and other groups on this employed at T-Force Freight as a truck driver.

specific issue. I was born into a boating family and have been boating for
According to NOAA’s National Centers for almost my entire life. I purchased my first boat, a 242 Formula

Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website, in the early 1990s. My second boat was a 30-foot Sunrunner
Western Lake Erie is projected to experience Classic, and we currently have a 36-foot Regal Commodore. JULY 2024
a moderate harmful algal bloom (HAB) this My wife and I joined South Shore Cruising Club (SSCC). In

summer, according to the first 2024 Lake Erie 2002 I became Commodore of SSCC in 2006, and again in
Harmful Algal Bloom Early Season Projection 2018 since I enjoyed it so much the first time around. I was

issued by the NCCOS, with support from the proud to be part of the first father/son Commodores of SSCC.

National Center for Water Quality Research at I have also held several committee chair positions. My wife
Heidelberg University. and I are also members of Catawba West Harbor Yacht Club.
Models currently indicate a likely bloom In 2005 I started attending Greater Cleveland Boating Asso-
severity between 4.5 and 7.5 (a moderate bloom ciation (GCBA) meetings and became interested in how to
is closer to a severity of 5). To date, precipitation get more involved. I started running through the officer chair

and total bioavailable phosphorus (TBP) loads positions and became Commander of GCBA in 2010.
from the Maumee River in April were above Because my wife states that I can’t say no – I became
average, with the second highest April TBP involved with International Order of the Blue Gavel (IOBG)
loads since 2000. If precipitation for the rest District 7 meetings and eventually held several offices in

of the spring remains near or below average, that organization. I was elected IOBG-District 7 President
a moderate bloom is likely. If precipitation in 2016. At the same time, I became part of the Inter-Lake
continues to be above average, a bloom with a Yachting Association (I-LYA) Powerboat Regatta Committee.
severity closer to 7 is expected. The uncertainty In 2013, I began running the chairs of the I-LYA Powerboat
for this forecast will continue to narrow as addi- Committee and became Chairman in 2017, and again served
tional rain and river discharge data is collected as the 2023 Powerboat Chair. I am also currently a Trustee
over the next two months. MAB with I-LYA. MAB

Lake Erie is Ohio’s

Most Precious Resource

Lake Erie Foundation (LEF) is Lake Erie’s advocate for economic sustainability, legal
defense, education, outreach and innovative sustainable technology.

Help LEF protect Lake Erie against:

Plastics & Wind Farms in Harmful
Contaminants Lake Erie Algal Blooms

Visit LEF at the Cleveland Boat Show.

Join us and support our mission to ensure Lake Erie is accessible now
and for future generations at LakeErieFoundation.org