Source: Lakes Environmental Association (LEA)
Protecting the lake literally begins at home. Every month we’ll offer property owners one of 10 important guidelines for keeping Keoka healthy.
LEAVE THE NATURAL VEGETATION
The trees, shrubs, bushes and groundcovers between your home and the water are the lake’s last line of defense. This area is often called the buffer because it “buffers” the lake from excess nutrients, sediment and stormwater. It also provides an essential habitat corridor for riparian animals (i.e., those living on the banks of a body of water). Whether you live on a lake, pond, river or stream this area is crucial for maintaining water quality.
However, a view of the water is also important for most lakefront landowners. This is why shoreland zoning, which is designed to protect this area, has provisions to allow trees to be limbed up 1/3 of their height. On this property, care was taken to leave the natural vegetation intact while allowing for a view on this waterfront lot.
Read more here.
