Living on the Edge Lake and River-Friendly Management for Waterfront Residents Elizabeth Riggs, Watershed Planner Huron River Watershed Council

Why are we here? To learn about innovative, natural techniques to protect your shoreline, while at the same time enhancing the lake. You will learn: Why natural shorelines are important Why natural shorelines are important Reasons for lake problems Reasons for lake problems How and why these new techniques work How and why these new techniques work How you can get started How you can get started

Your workshop hosts LIVINGSTON COUNTY WATERSHED ADVISORY GROUP including Livingston County Drain & Road Commissions, Brighton, Pinckney, and Green Oak, Hartland and Marion Townships

With support from Financial Support CSI Geoturf and Todd Services Technical Support CSI Geoturf, Wetlands Nursery, Native Plant Nursery

A watershed is the area of land that drains to a particular point along a stream Define "watershed”, please

HRWC is Michigan’s first and oldest watershed council ~ a coalition of local communities and residents established under state law in 1965 to protect the Huron River and its tributary streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater. Huron River Watershed Council

Watersheds of Livingston County

Healthy rivers and lakes matter Storm water control Wildlife habitat Recreation Property values Drinking water

40% of remaining open space to be developed by 2030 Major threats to our freshwater Land use Changes to flow Pollutedrunoff Dams and lake level control structures on rivers and tributaries, loss of wetlands, drain tiles, sedimentation Occurs when rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces prevent runoff from naturally soaking into the ground.

Polluted Water Runoff #1 cause of water pollution in U.S.... a result of our individual actions throughout the watershed

1.Metals 2.Pathogens (e.g., E. coli) 3.Nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) 4.Sediment/siltation 5.Low dissolved oxygen 6.Fish consumption advisories (e.g., PCBs) 7.pH 8.Other habitat alterations 9.Temperature modifications 10. Biological impairment Based on data from August 2005, EPA’s National Section 303(d) List Top 10 pollutants in U. S. waters

 12.5% impervious surface (2000)  19% projected  Brighton, Ore & Strawberry Lakes impaired from phosphorus pollution  Biological impacts in some creeks, but other segments retain integrity  Loss of critical wetlands  Erosion and sedimentation from poor management and unnatural flows Quality of local rivers and lakes

carries nutrients, pesticides, bacteria, & trash Where does it come from? Fertilization of lawns & other landscape chemicals -

carries sediments & adsorbed pollutants Where does it come from? Lack or failure of construction controls...

carries excess water, oils, greases & metals Where does it come from? Creation of hard surfaces...

Where does it come from? Lack of resource protection Wetlands, floodplains, & buffers often are not protected by local governments

The result? Fish kills Nuisance algal blooms & other aquatic weed growth

What can homeowners do? Use no phosphate fertilizers & soaps Mow HIGH: 3” will do the trick Select native plants and grasses Spread the word to your neighbors Live in a walkable community

Keep trees, shrubs and grasses on shoreline slope to prevent erosion Prevent polluted runoff from reaching the water (home, yard & garden products) Choose stabilization techniques without hard materials Get involved with a watershed group What can lake residents do?

Elizabeth Riggs, Watershed Planner For more information...