8615-R4_ML&P_LSLA_2024_SummerNewsletter_Web

Watershed Update Layne Albert

and developing a plan to remediate those sites. Next Steps include: • Watershed Committee – formally starting the committee, setting goals, and getting to work. • 319-Grants and other – seek grants from relevant governmental bodies to assist in our watershed protection efforts. • Targeted Outreach – working with the homeowners of previously identified NPS pollution sites to remediate an document the work. • Youth Conservation Corps – develop a YCC (or maybe sharing with some other lake’s YCC) to help us with these YCC eligible NPS mitigation projects. Stay tuned for developments around a YCC. • Strategic Relationship Building – Continue to develop relationships with the town councils for Gray, Windham and Raymond Grow more plants and reduce or eliminate use of fertilizer and pesticides (if it makes your yard green – it makes the lake green). Swap some of your lawn for vegetable gardens, groundcovers, pollinator gardens, or other landscaping to grow food, create habitat and reduce maintenance. Don’t apply product before a storm or rain – it will just blow or wash away into the lake. Clean up any lawn clippings, lawn care product, or other yard waste from driveways, sidewalks and roads so they don’t flow to or block storm drains. The only way to dispose of pet waste responsibly is to bag it immediately and throw it in the trash. Dog waste does not decompose and carries a staggering amount of bacteria and other pathogens that cause harm to humans and the lake. Carry

to help identify watershed protection ordinances that are uniform, to help remediate NPS sites and document the results and to help drive policies and actions that will protect our watershed and improve our water quality. We will continue to develop relationships with the MDEP, the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Maine Lakes.org, the Portland Water District, Lake Stewards of Maine and other lake associations to share best practices, keep abreast of the latest thinking with access to the newest training materials and to be on the forefront of issues impacting our watershed. Lastly, here are some lesser-known facts that will help you to have a nice lake friendly yard and environment. Reduce soil erosion by: Plant trees, shrubs and other plants to create a buffer zone between your property and any waterway or storm drain to filter out pollutants. Capture runoff with rain barrels, rain gardens and drip line trenches. Stabilize paths and walkways with mulch, crushed gravel, or steps. Minimize the time soil is exposed when you do construction or landscaping. Maintain gravel roads and driveways.

Lawn and Garden

Pet Waste

at least three bags with you when you walk your dog and always dispose of dog waste in a bag in the trash. We love our pets, but pet waste is NOT fertilizer and NOT lake friendly.

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