Water Quality Protection
Many factors are contributing to the deterioration of water quality within Northeastern lakes and streams. Excessive nutrients are feeding aquatic vegetation and algae, allowing them to grow to nusiance levels. These nutrients are entering the water via; unfiltered storm water runoff, over fertilizing of lawns, faulty septic systems, lack of adequate riparian/ shoreline vegetation, and deforestation of high gradient areas (slopes on hills). Some lakes and streams are being loved to death. Everyone wants to own a piece of heaven on a body of water. What they don't understand is, by removing the vegetation, putting in pavement and not conducting environmentally sound development, they are hurting that which they love most.
The economy of regions with lakes and bodies of water is highly based on tourism dollars; this money comes directly from people visiting to use the waters for recreational purposes; including fishing and vacationing. If the current declining trends in water quality continues, fewer and fewer people will want to visit the areas, thereby hindering the economy and causing year round residence to move away to find sustainable work.
Scientific data is showing declining water quality in bodies of water from additions of salt, and nutrients. If current trends persist; toxic algal blooms could form or become more prevelant, such as those found in Lake Champlain; waters could become undrinkable; invasive species will take hold; cold water fish species could die off (no more trout or salmon); mountain peaks could be laid bare from development, altering the viewscapes. Wildlife could become nuisance to those who don't understand that they have been pushed out of their natural homes and ranges due to development. I know it may seem that I paint a bleak picture; but this is just a possible future. If we change, and implement protocols to better protect watersheds and utilize bio-monitoring efforts to detect declining water quality, we can protect our natural resources, and our economic stability.
What is needed: (Peak to Shore)
Protect upland forests and peaks (this protects not just the natural viewscape, but possible erosion and the start of filtration of nutrients and the location of headwater streams.)
Keep areas, wild. Consider donating forested land or having an environmental easement.
Implement Stream protection regulations; protect the riparian corridors along the streams.
Allow sensible development, with considerations for the natural landscape, including; adequate permeable surfaces, storm water protection, upgraded septic systems, rain gardens, and homes that are not over-built for the property and environment.
Maintain adequate shoreline buffers, plant native plant species and grasses.
Maintain septic systems.
Conducting environmental monitoring efforts, a comprehensive monitoring effort consists of not only chemical monitoring of the water, but also includes assessing the physical area, and conducting bio-monitoring efforts: (physical, chemical and biological monitoring). This should be conducted not only on large bodies of waters, but streams as well.
Citizen involvement; grassroots efforts and citizen involvement is very important for any protection strategy. By educating the public, municipal leaders, user groups on what is happening, changes can be made that will reduce or eliminate impacts to water quality.
