In deference to the ultimate
purpose of TLIA, that of protecting and preserving our lake as well as
educating our watershed dwellers, we’ve decided to appropriate our
presidents’ top-of-page-1 spot with a few well-meaning tips and State
laws for keeping our lake healthy. Unfortunately, some folks are
woefully misguided (or uneducated) when it comes to Shoreland Zoning.
It’s imperative that we all realize that ignorance of the law is not an
excuse…when in doubt, call Art Dunlap, Code Enforcement Officer, and
he’ll answer all your questions. Or pick up a copy of Shoreland Zoning
laws at the Town Office. Permits are necessary for many things…their
primary purpose is to protect Tripp for all of us, not to make it
difficult for a particular individual. Th Town’s website is
polandtownoffice.org.
Soap and
Phosphorus: The amount of phosphorus in
the water is a pretty good indicator of how polluted that water is.
High concentrations allow the overabundance of algae. The DEP tests and
monitors the amounts of phosphorus in our soaps and detergents, as these
products can contain large amounts of it. Check your soaps against
their latest ratings. Keep soap out of the lake! Activities such as
washing and shampooing our bodies, washing our pets, cleaning our boats
and cars should all be done as far as possible from the lake’s shore.
You can be fined for getting soap in the lake.
Following is a short list of
detergents recommended for washing machines, dishwashers and washing
dishes in sinks.
Powder detergents with 0%
phosphorus include Ivory Snow, Fab, Arm &
Hammer and Purex.
Liquid detergents with 0%
phosphorus include Dynamo, Staff, Era, Topco, Purex
and Sweet Life.
Dish Detergents with 0%
phosphorus include Ivory and Dawn.
Abrasive cleaners with 0%
phosphorus include Ajax and Bon Ami.
Remember…this is only a partial list. Read those labels to protect
our lake and your septic systems!
Gray Water
disposal: This means water in that “gray”
area, from the shower or heaven forbid, from a washing machine. It all
contains soap (phosphorous) and should not be siphoned off into the
lake. Even soaps listed as phosphorus-free should not be used in a
lake…it’s ok for running bodies of water, such as rivers. Gray water
should be directed into a septic tank, a holding tank or into its own
leaching field.
Lakes like
less lawn. To keep lawns green and lakes
clean, ue phosphorus-free fertilizer. Research shows that rain
can wash phosphorus from fertilized lawns into lakes. Since 50% of
Maine drains to a lake, we can help protect lakes from phosphorus
pollution. Just one pound of phosphorus can produce 10,000 pounds of
wet weeds and algae! Phosphorus is junk food for algae. Once there
is too much in a lake, it’s very expensive (and almost impossible) to
remove it. Most soils in Maine have enough phosphorus to keep a lawn
healthy…an application of lime is safe and will make even more
phosphorus available to your lawn.
Vegetated
Buffer Strip: As more of us choose to live on
or near lakes, either year round or seasonally, we’re putting pressure
on the water quality of our lakes. Trees and shrubs are often removed to
make room for homes and roads. The loss of vegetation and addition of
impervious areas increases the amount of runoff entering surface
waters. Excess nutrients in runoff, particularly phosphorus, support an
overabundant crop of algae.
One of the simplest and most
effective remedies is to plant a buffer, a strip of protective
vegetation which absorbs nutrients and traps sediment particles before
reaching the lake. Buffers stabilize shorelines, provide habitat for
wildlife and improve property values (among other things). Plants of all
types, such as trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, groundcovers and
natural duff are desirable. The root systems of all plants take up
water and nutrients, recycling phosphorus and nitrogen that would
otherwise be washed into our lake. Buffers should be placed between your
buildings, lawn, road and the lake. Steeper areas need larger buffers.
One of the easiest ways is simply to stop mowing a strip along the
shoreline and let nature take its course. Plant shrubs near existing
trees and mulch new plants well. Remember, the layers needed for a
healthy buffer include trees, shrubs and groundcovers. Nurseries, such
as Shaker Hill, can help you select proper plantings for your particular
area.
Algae:
What is an algal bloom? Algae are tiny
microscopic plants that are natural components of lakes. An algal bloom
occurs when one species of algae out-competes the other to become so
abundant that the water becomes murky. Late spring or early summer
diatom blooms (bright green or brown) are less objectionable
than blue-green blooms, which occur later in the season.
These are subject to concentration by wind action and to scum formation,
may be blown into the shallows, onto exposed rocks, making the shoreline
appear to be covered with blue-green paint. When these algae die and
decompose, the resulting odor can be very unpleasant.
Foam:
Most foam on the shore does not indicate pollution from
laundry detergents but is a product of nature. It’s created when the
surface tension of water is reduced and air is mixed in. Organic
compounds are released by decomposing organisms or leached from the
soil. Wind and currents will mix with the compounds and produce foam,
which has a somewhat earthy or fishy aroma, in contrast to a perfumy
smell from detergents. One easy way of determining if foam is natural
or from detergents is to do the “shake test.” Put a sample with foam
into a lidded container and shake. If foam is greatly reduce, it’s
probably natural. If foam increases, the possibility of detergent
contamination should be investigated further.
Dust:
The yellow-green dust which appears from
early June through the first part of July is likely to be pollen from
nearby pine trees. It might look similar to algae, but pollen is
yellow-green and dustlike and floats mainly on the surface. Eventually
it becomes water logged and sinks.
Oily film:
Sometimes in mid-summer, along the shoreline, there is a
dark cloud in the water accompanied by an oily sheen. This is probably
the result of insect cases left behind from a hatch of aquatic insects;
as the cases decompose, an oily film is sometimes given off.
Use of
aquatic herbicides: Please report sightings
of suspected invasive plants to the DEP or to a member of the TLIA
Board. Do not take action on your own, such as utilizing aquatic
herbicides. While they can be easily purchased in stores, mail order
catalogs and over the Internet, these chemicals are not safe and can be
hazardous to the environment. Applying these without proper permission
is a serious legal offense, even though most catalogs and other product
information sheets do not mention the Maine permit requirement. (For
information about permit by rule or if you have questions, contact your
nearest regional DEP office.)
The Shoreland Zoning Act
is a State law administered by municipalities with
assistance from the state DEP. It establishes a setback of 100 feet on
lakes and 75 feet on all other waters, including wetlands , for
structures or development, such as houses, decks, driveways, etc. It
regulates the following activities within 250 feet of lakes and within
75 feet of streams:
