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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Bag It Now Or Swim In It LaterBy Mike Little As we are cleaning up the grounds around the camp remember that leaves, grass clippings and yard waste do not belong in the lake (or a stream feeding into the lake). It is tempting to dump yard waste over the bank and hope that nature will wash it away; but in our crowded world there is no away. It is also illegal — unless you have a "Discharge Permit from DEP." As the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says in their booklet "Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality," "Bag it now or swim in it later." Organic material from yards and elsewhere in residential areas ends up downstream where it pollutes lakes and streams. Worst offenders: leaves and grass clippings that move from yard Mats of floating grass clippings or leaves are unpleasant to swim in. They also add to the nutrient enrichment of our lakes — adding phosphorus to fuel algal growth and contributing (through decomposition) to low oxygen levels in the lakes that can stress fish populations. Leaves and grass clippings should not be dumped into streams — it is illegal! This can also smother the critters living in the streambeds who contribute to the health of our waters. What to do? It's best to do nothing. Leave the grass clippings on your lawn as a natural fertilizer. If you live in the woods, don't rake up the leaves; leave them on the ground to form that natural duff layer that absorbs runoff and filters nutrients. Never rake your yard down to bare soil! Mike Little is executive director of the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance. He can be contacted at | ||