What YOU Can Do

A LAKER’S DOZEN

13 Ways You Can Help the Lake

1. Always check boat, trailer and equipment for plant fragments before launch and after take-out.
2. Respect Shoreland Zone Regulations. Before making any change on your land, check with your town to see what’s permitted and what’s not in the shoreland: ME - 250’ of the lake and 75’ of streams. NH – within 250’ of the lake and any fourth order or higher stream.
3. Control storm water run-off from buildings, paths, driveways and road. Check your property on a rainy day and fix run-off sites by planting vegetation or constructing swales to direct water flow away from the lake. If you are unsure about what to do contact the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance for a free site specific design consultation.
4. Cultivate a wooded buffer. Trees, shrubs and grasses slow the flow and filter soil and pollutants from rainwater before they end up in the lake.
5. Take a Break, Retire the Rake and Save the Lake - Limit lawn size, mow less often, and don’t rake duff on your shorefront properties.
6. Limit fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide use. Long lasting residues in these chemicals can turn lakes green and harm aquatic life. In NH regulations prohibit fertilizer & pesticide application within 25 feet of the shoreline.
7. Don’t stress the septic system. Inspect the system yearly. Pump the tank regularly. Systems 20 years and older should be inspected by a specialist. Use phosphorus-free cleaners, and detergents. Stagger laundry loads. Minimize water use. Don’t put grease or toxics down the drain.
8. Construct docks and floats with lake-friendly materials. Choose cedar, cypress, plastic, or aluminum over wood that’s pressure-treated with arsenic. The State of NH has clearly defined regulations about dock construction and placement. Be sure to check the permitting regulations by calling NH DES at (603) 271-2147
9. Dogs, humans and boats should never be washed in the lake!
10. Observe headway speed within 200 feet of shore in Maine, 150 feet in NH. Boating in shallow water disturbs fish habitat , causes shoreline erosion and stirs up sediments.
11. When you replace a boat motor, choose a clean 4-stroke engine.
12. Preserve wildlife habitat on land and underwater. Lake shallows and shorelands are home to many native species and nurseries for young.
13. Support your local lake association and Maine COLA and NH Lakes Association.

Modified from ME COLA website “A Laker’s Dozen” http://www.mainecola.org/lakers_dozen.htm

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has detailed fact sheets about Conservation Practices for Homeowners designed to slow the flow of stormwater runoff on your property.