For further information or to provide input, contact the Lakes and Ponds Section Manager, Susan Warren: susan.warren@state.vt.us or 802-490-6134
Vermont Lake Health is Threatened
Many
Vermonters are becoming increasingly concerned about the manner in which our
lakeshores are being developed. Enhancements and/or additions to lakeshore programs are
needed to ensure lake health and people’s use and enjoyment of lakes continue
into the future. The 2012 Vermont Legislature required the Agency of Natural
Resources to report on lakeshore management and protection in Vermont, specifically
including whether the state should enact statewide shoreland regulations.
During the summer and fall of 2012, VTANR will conduct this study and look at:
-How we might improve existing lakeshore management and protection programs;
-How statewide regulations for lakeshore protection could be structured and administered;
-How we might improve existing lakeshore management and protection programs;
-How statewide regulations for lakeshore protection could be structured and administered;
-The benefits and drawbacks of different regulatory and non-regulatory approaches, based on experience in Vermont and in other states; and
-Strategies for building support for improved lakeshore protection.
Vermont’s
Lakeshore Conditions
Vermont
lakes are threatened by excessive shoreland clearing and lawns to the water’s
edge. When a lake’s natural vegetation (woodlands) is removed and replaced by
lawns and impervious surfaces, aquatic habitat degrades, shores erode, and the
lake is more vulnerable to water quality problems such as blue-green algae
blooms. The science is clear that naturally vegetated shores protect lakes’
water quality, ecology, and bank stability; and healthy lakes benefit people’s
use and enjoyment of the lakes, property values, as well as our vital tourism
economy. However, increasingly, new development or redevelopment on Vermont
lakeshores involves nearly complete removal of the native vegetation.
There are a few tools currently available to protect Vermont lakeshores, including education, outreach and technical assistance, municipal zoning (only about 20% of towns have standards that protect lakes), and Act 250 (only a minor amount of shoreland development is covered). Additionally, some shoreland is protected through land conservation projects such as those through a land trust.
There are a few tools currently available to protect Vermont lakeshores, including education, outreach and technical assistance, municipal zoning (only about 20% of towns have standards that protect lakes), and Act 250 (only a minor amount of shoreland development is covered). Additionally, some shoreland is protected through land conservation projects such as those through a land trust.
According
to a US EPA study of lake conditions across the country, Vermont’s lakes
rank worse than both the northeast region and the national average in terms of
percent of shoreland that is either in fair or poor condition (as measured by
the extent of clearing and lawns near the shoreline). VTANR plans to use
this study to clearly lay out the shoreland and lake protection choices before
Vermonters.
Since
Vermont science clearly indicates degraded lake conditions statewide, our
discussion needs to focus on how we can strengthen shoreland protection for all
of Vermont's lakes. -Perry
Thomas, Past-president, Federation of VT Lakes and Ponds
2012 Status of Vermont Lakeshores
This property owner
can enjoy the lake and know the lake and shallow water habitat are protected
by:
-Providing bank stability
Lake-shore development that threatens long-term lake health
People choose to clear their shoreland property often to enjoy a view of the lake, however this style of development puts the lake and property at risk by exposing it to:
-Bank erosion Increased sediment and phosphorus pollution of the lake
-Reduced fish and wildlife habitat
-Increased nuisance plant and algae growth -Direct runoff from lawn and driveway into the lake
2012 Status of Vermont Lakeshores
Thirty
years of lake monitoring and assessment, including a new study linking cleared
shorelands with degraded lake habitat, leave little doubt that healthy
lakeshores are critical for healthy lakes. Healthy lakes are essential to our
state’s long-term prosperity, both in terms of the economy and environmental
sustainability.
Did you know? Only a small percentage of shoreland development is reviewed by either a state program or a municipality to ensure lake-friendly development is practiced.
Shoreland
development has increased in intensity such that most property is completely
cleared of native vegetation prior to development or redevelopment. Vermont
lakeshores are becoming increasingly “suburbanized.”
Lakeshore
disturbance (removal of natural vegetation) is the most serious stressor on
Vermont lakes, threatening water quality, in-lake habitat and shoreline
stability. Of the 203 Vermont lakes assessed for shoreland condition, 24% are
in either “fair” condition or “reduced” condition, significantly more than
those affected by phosphorus pollution and invasive species combined. There is
a strong link between lake water quality and surrounding property values.
The
majority of lakeshore erosion that occurred during the Lake Champlain spring
floods of 2011 occurred where trees and shrubs had been removed and replaced
with grass or lawn.
It
is possible to develop a lakeshore property and enjoy the lake in a
lake-friendly way!
Lake-friendly
shoreland development
At this shoreland home, the shore has been left in native trees and shrubs, and the clearing for a lawn is set further back from the lake.
At this shoreland home, the shore has been left in native trees and shrubs, and the clearing for a lawn is set further back from the lake.
-Providing bank stability
-Shading
the water with overhanging branches
-Avoiding
direct runoff from developed areas into the lake
-Providing
fallen trees, leaves and other important shallow water habitat features
Lake-shore development that threatens long-term lake health
People choose to clear their shoreland property often to enjoy a view of the lake, however this style of development puts the lake and property at risk by exposing it to:
-Bank erosion Increased sediment and phosphorus pollution of the lake
-Reduced fish and wildlife habitat
-Increased nuisance plant and algae growth -Direct runoff from lawn and driveway into the lake
