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Lake Montcalm News

       May 2008 – Issue # 7

Here comes summer! As boats and docks find their way to the water our newsletter is shedding some light on topics that will help lake quality for all. Please review the information carefully in this issue as many of the topics are filled with information that some of you are already practicing but others may be unaware of.  As always I would love to hear some topic ideas from residents. Please let me know if I can research and include an article that you feel everyone can benefit from.

Want to be involved with your lake? The D.E.Q. has a great way to learn about and help protect our lake.  The CLMP volunteer program described below would be a great way to understand how our lake works. Volunteers in this program would be valuable consultants to our established Lake Improvement Board, and what a great way to get kids involved with the lake with hands on activities to do like taking water samples, and clarity measurements. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in partnership with the Michigan Lake and Stream Associations, Inc. (ML&SA), developed the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) as a cost-effective method for citizens to monitor water quality and to document changes in lake quality over time. The CLMP provides sampling methods, training, workshops, technical support, quality control, and laboratory assistance for volunteers to monitor their lake for these indicators of lake productivity. As more and more people use the lakes and surrounding watersheds, the potential for pollution problems and use impairment increases dramatically. Reliable information, including water quality data, levels of use, and use impairment, are essential for determining the health of a lake and for developing a management plan to protect the lake. As the users and primary beneficiaries of Michigan’s lake resources, citizens must take an active role in obtaining this information and managing their lakes.

CLMP Goals

  • To measure baseline water quality and document water quality trends on participating lakes.
  • To educate the public in lake ecology, lake management practices and in procedures for collecting water quality data.
  • To build public support for lake quality protection.
  • To encourage sound lake management practices.
  • To increase baseline water quality data for inland lakes statewide

The CLMP continues the DEQ/citizen volunteer partnership critical to lake management in Michigan. Currently, the CLMP is supported with Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) funds. All this information was obtained at Michigan D.E.Q.’s website:  www.michigan.gov/deq  For more information on this program please contact: Ralph Bednarz 517-335-4211


S
ome Tips on lakefront landscaping are always important this time of year. General tips are to rake and dispose of leaves away from the lake. Do not burn leaves near shore, as nutrients concentrate in the ash and are easily washed into the lake. And avoid using herbicides near the lake, many are toxic to aquatic life. To minimize the amount of leaves falling into the water, deciduous trees (i.e., trees that lose their leaves at the end of the growing season) should be planted as far from the water’s edge as practical. Ideally, deciduous trees should be set back from the water’s edge a distance equal to twice the mature height of the tree. Evergreens can be established closer to the lake shoreline. See list at left for some native greenbelt varieties.                                                                                        
 
 
Fertilizing - If you don’t use fertilizer, don’t start now. If you do..... Most lakeside lawns don’t need phosphorus. Don’t use fertilizer that contains phosphorus. Once in the lake, 1 pound of phosphorus can generate several hundred pounds of aquatic plants. Fertilizers are labeled with a 3-number system that indicates the percentage of the bag that contains nitrogen (first number), phosphorus (second number) and potassium (third number). Example: a 50-pound bag of 20-0-10 fertilizer contains 20% nitrogen (or 10 pounds), 0% phosphorus, and 10% potassium (5 pounds). When spreading fertilizer, don’t allow fertilizer to land directly in the water.                                                                                                                         
Greenbelt - Lakeside landscaping involves planting or preserving a zone of natural vegetation, a greenbelt, around the lake's edge. This vegetation acts as a buffer, trapping runoff and absorbing nutrients before they can enter the lake. The lakefront should be landscaped to allow full recreational use of the lake and still provide water quality protection. Lawns alone do not make good greenbelts. Plant varieties should be selected that are attractive, easily maintained, and effective buffers.


D
oes everyone enjoy how clear the water is this time of year? It is amazing to see plants and wildlife so perfectly before sediment is stirred up into the water by boats. Our objective for placing buoys out in the lake is to keep ALL motorized vessels OUT of the shallow areas where they disrupt wildlife habitat as well as churning up silt that clouds the water clarity.  This year we will be adding more buoys to the channel area in an attempt to keep traffic over the deepest parts.  PLEASE REMEMBER to inform all of your friends and family who use the lake what they are for and how to travel safely around the lake. Buoys are placed at shallow points throughout the lake for your safety as well as the lakes.                                                                                                  


Calendar of events                                                                  
*
4th of July Boat Parade is Friday, July 4 @ 12:00 Noon.                                                                
* An open forum meeting will be held at the Public Access Saturday, May 24 @ 10:00am 
* Pontoon Poker Run  Memorial Day Weekend   
time and date to be  determined
* Visit the all new LakeMontcalm.com for up to the minute times and dates for all events.

                                            Lake Montcalm News

                                                                                                                            Published By: JasonHiscock

                                                                                         Contact info- Email: sold@jasonhiscock.com    Phone: (517) 881-9532

                                                                            Lake Montcalm News Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00pm

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                                                                                            information is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. © 2008







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