8181-R1_LSLA_2022_WinterNewsletter_Web

Around My Lake?

divers from around the lake and other volunteers to strengthen their skills to join us to pick up the debris left from areas with the biggest fireworks displays. While this is a one-day effort people are encouraged to embrace snorkelers in their area to do the same thing. Make it a fun thing with the kiddos and teach them environmental responsibility can be fun! It is surprising that there is not loads of leftover cardboard, plastic and wire debris; perhaps it depends on the wind carrying it over the land, too. Every bit counts, especially with buildup that will happen year after year. And again, with the concern with plastics, this is especially important.

the trash before taking it to the transfer station. I thought the 30 or so ugly worm-like things were a natural native bryozoa that exists in the lake. Then I was told they were fishing worms that are made of plastic with elastomer polymer material that does not degrade, harmful for fish if swallowed, and potentially cancer causing. Along with the bottles, cans, clothing, guns and ammo, motors, swing-sets and toilets, this is another great yearly extraction from the lake.

Milfoil

Where does it all go? A big thank-you to the Town of Gray transfer station for completely composting the milfoil and also taking the trash that we have collected. The nice crew at the station noticed the heavy pile of milfoil on the trailer and scooted the backhoe over to off load the milfoil. Love it when people are willing to help when they see a need. Thanks to Tim Greer for helping transport

Trash collection

Benefit of Milfoil Each day the divers are down scouring the topography of the bottom of the lake for milfoil, they find trash. As Tim and I open each of the approximately two hundred 40-pound onion bags containing milfoil we take out

7