Thursday, May 10, 2007
About the Author
WILLIAM LaFLAMME is coordinator of the Maine Nonpoint Source Training and Resource Center with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Land and Water Quality.E-MAIL YOUR environmental questions to infodep@ maine.gov or send them to In Our Backyard, Maine DEP, 17 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.
After a long Maine winter, it's that time of year when the earth starts to warm and the lakes shed their icy coats. Soon it will be time to have fun in the sun: swimming, boating and fishing at your summer retreat.
But first there is much work to be done: The cottage needs to be prepared for the season; the waterline needs to be hooked up; the dock needs to be installed; and boats need to be launched.
When going through this yearly ritual, it is important to consider possible harm to streams and lakes and the surrounding environment from these activities. After all, one of the main reasons you go to the cottage is to enjoy the area's unspoiled beauty.
Take care when using cleaning agents, paints and stains. Use natural products like baking soda and lemon juice when cleaning. More information on cleaning products from less harmful materials can be found at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's pollution prevention Web site: www.maine.gov/dep/oia/p2/consumerepp.htm/.
When using paints and stains, consider using earth tones so that buildings and other structures blend better with the natural shoreline. Paint or stain docks away from the lake and allow at least 14 days of drying time before putting them in the water. Make sure to clean brushes away from the water to prevent materials from washing into the lake.
When cleaning up winter debris on the property, DO NOT rake up the duff layer of leaves and pine needles that build up under the trees. These leaves act like a sponge and filter and help prevent pollutants from getting into the lake. As a cottage owner, it is one of the best things you can do to protect lake water quality.
Check the shoreline and other areas of the property for soil erosion. Stabilize these areas with vegetation or rock riprap. If more than minor maintenance and repair is required, or if structural measures are necessary, contact your local code enforcement officer, and the DEP to determine if permits will be needed before doing the work.
With regard to your septic system, check the leach field for any breakouts and consider having the tank pumped if it has not been pumped in the last three years. A properly functioning septic system prevents harmful pollutants from getting into the lake.
When preparing your boat for another season, make sure to dispose of drained lubricating oils at a recycling facility or take the oil to a local dealer for disposal. Wash the boat away from the water or at a commercial car wash. Check to make sure that the boat, trailer and other equipment are free of any hitchhiking plants. And tune up that motor.
Following these simple rules will go far in protecting the natural resources you so enjoy as a cottage owner. We all must work together to ensure that our natural resources remain in good condition for future generations.
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And remember, children, to always wash your hands after number two.
Good Lord. Having grown up with rivers full of sewage and pulp and communities filled with stench and eyesore, I fully appreciate the fact that we already do protect the environment very well, thank you very much, from our own selfish stupidity.
It doesn't hurt to remind us, I guess, so remember to wash hands frequently, don't eat mayonaise that has been sitting in the sun, and wait 45 minutes after eating to swim.
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