Michigan has officially missed its deadline to reduce phosphorus pollution in Lake Erie. 

Despite 10 years of work and millions of dollars spent on the effort, Michigan and its neighbors missed the deadline to curb the farm pollution feeding toxic algal blooms in the lake.

An agreement in 2015 gave Michigan, Ohio and Ontario 10 years to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering Lake Erie by 40% compared to 2008 levels. However, Michigan officials are now revamping their strategy without setting a deadline, as they say it will take at least three more years.

Bridge Michigan says most of the pollution comes from farm fields and feedlots in Ohio.

Michigan still plays a significant role in the pollution problems, struggling to put an end to the fertilizer that pours into the lake.

Some blame the missed deadline on regional governments’ refusal to force farmers to curb fertilizer pollution.