8544-R5_ML&P_LSLA_2023_FallNewsletter_Web

Watershed Update Layne Albert & Kevin Ronan

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LakeSmart has not been a part of the Department of Environmental Protection since 2013 and LakeSmart evaluations are not shared with the DEP. Maine Lakes partners with the Little Sebago Lake Association (and many other lake and road associations) to train us on how to be LakeSmart and how to conduct a LakeSmart evaluation of lakefront properties. Simply stated, it’s us, your neighbors, that visit and conduct the evaluation and the evaluation stays with us and Maine Lakes. Participating homeowners receive an individualized evaluation report with suggestions for improving Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for minimizing erosion and keeping pollutants out of our lake. Today there have been over 240 LakeSmart evaluations performed at over 50 Maine lakes The momentum is building and each year there is increased participation in the LakeSmart program. The LakeSmart evaluations take about an hour. As mentioned above, they are performed by a trained member of the Little Sebago Lake Association – your neighbors. The evaluations focus on five key areas of your home (driveway to lakefront). The evaluators will discuss BMP’s with you after the evaluation showing you ways to prevent runoff and erosion into the lake. Maine Lakes reviews the evaluation and approves it or suggests improvements. A final report will be delivered to the LakeSmart homeowner participant. Since June 2023, when LSLA was ready to perform evaluations, there have been

12 lakefront homeowners who have either completed or at least scheduled an evaluation. Maine Lakes and Little Sebago Lake Association thank those homeowners and challenge even more lakefront homeowners to schedule evaluations starting in May of 2024. The LSLA LakeSmart program relies on a team of volunteer evaluators to perform the walk throughs and prepare the reports suggesting ways to improve your BMP’s. Our team is led by BJ Warner, Kevin Ronan and Layne Albert. If you are interested in having your home evaluated or in becoming a LakeSmart evaluator please contact either Kevin Ronan (LSLA LakeSmart Coordinator at kronan388@gmail.com 207-838-4855) or Layne Albert (LSLA Board Member, Watershed Committee Chairperson at ljalbert1123@gmail.com 646-341-7873). Y

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