Originally Posted by Descant (Post 316826)

I heard recently of "blueberry sod" you can use instead of grass. Native. No fertilizer, doesn't need to be cut and it doesn't obstruct your view. AND you can eat the berries. I want to try some. Anybody know where to buy?

Originally Posted by Taz (Post 316836)

I thought there were regulations on fertilizing lawns close to shore. Problem is how do you enforce that? I guess you have to prove that some one violated the regulation.

People don't care. This weekend some one was feeding ducks where I and friends were anchored. There were informed nicely not to and its against the law. The did not acknowledge the warning and continued.

Originally Posted by Stilljester (Post 316832)

No affiliation with either.
http://greenthumbfarms.com/our-products/native-sods/
https://wildsodsofmaine.com/pictures...blueberry-sod/

Originally Posted by mishman (Post 316910)

I don't understand how these large gatherings are allowed by the state and Marine Patrol. The amount of pollution (not to mention noise) that stem from these type of uncontrolled parties (let's face it, it's just one big party) with no sanitary facilities available should be measurable. E-coli levels use be high with people wondering off into the woods to relieve themselves and subsequent rains washing that back into the lake. What can be done to better protect the lake and water quality from these type of crowds?

Originally Posted by mishman (Post 316806)

Read a very disturbing article in yesterday's NY Times about a cyanobacteria outbreak that closed down the largest lake in New Jersey.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/n...ong-algae.html

The prime factor causing the cyanobacteria bloom was nutrients getting into the water from storm water runoff and poorly maintained septic systems. Fertilizer runoff from lawns of homes surrounding the lake was also cited as a contributing factor. Everyone, it seems, wants a lush green lawn right down to the water's edge yet that is mainlining nutrients right into the water.

Seeing all the green lawns around our lake causes me to wonder what is it going to take to cause people to wake up to the danger these lawns and the resultant fertilizer application pose for water quality. People need to educate themselves (and their neighbors) about this threat and towns around the lake need to do more to mandate a non lawnbuffer around the lake and restrict the use of fertilizers. Better yet, don't plant grass at all, use native plants and bark mulch.

All of us need to do more to protect lake water quality. Read the NYT article about this lake in NJ and think about "what if it happened here?" Property values would plummet and people would be up in arms about how did this happen? We need to take action now. The Lake Winnipesaukee Association is educating people about the water quality threats to our lake. More people should become members and spread the word.

Landscape companies should all be required to use lake friendly practices (including limiting fertilizers and use only those designed to be used near water bodies) and educate their customers about the danger of lawns immediately adjacent to lakes.

Towns along the lake and the NH DES need to be far more aggressive in protecting water quality. Please help.

Originally Posted by mishman (Post 316910)

I don't understand how these large gatherings are allowed by the state and Marine Patrol. The amount of pollution (not to mention noise) that stem from these type of uncontrolled parties (let's face it, it's just one big party) with no sanitary facilities available should be measurable. E-coli levels use be high with people wondering off into the woods to relieve themselves and subsequent rains washing that back into the lake. What can be done to better protect the lake and water quality from these type of crowds?

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin (Post 317057)

Don't wonder about how these large gathering are allowed to happen. Everything going on with the large gatherings in Bruan Bay is perfectly legal. And the Marine Patrol, routinely check it out over the weekends, make sure all the rafting rules are being observed.

Also another post mentioned about boats having facilities oboard these days. And while that is true, have you every tried to use those facilities? Plus you have to have them pumped out etc..... So how many people want to go through the hassle to use there on board facilites.... On larger boats I am sure they do.... on smaller boats not so much..... There is plenty of Pee-Pee in that water every weekend.....