[Lakegeezer]

The hike in fees is one way to get more funds and DES needs more funds to help protect the state's natural resources. Locally, we can't do much about global climate change but DES can help us act locally. Many people have already noticed the impact of what human development is doing to our lakes. Silt and nutrients from increased storm water run-off are aging the lakes, much faster than if we weren't here. Clean sandy bottoms are turning to muck. Water clarity is down and color is up. Fish populations are down and invasive species are up. The thousands of home and driveway cuts into the lake and the matrix of poorly maintained private roads contribute to the problem. Add to that the impact of global climate change, including shorter winters (this one excluded) and more frequent heavy rain storms, and we can clearly see the local impact. Better education about best practices, along with requirements to use best practices and better enforcement in wetlands are what we can do locally. What we do today will make a difference in 2100 - and only with a well funded DES will this happen.