Protecting and Restoring Buffer Zones...
"It's the Right Thing"

by Gail Becher, Lakescaping Subcommittee Chair

HERE IN MINNESOTA, there is a rich tradition drawing families to area lakes for an experience with nature and the rustic beauty of the Northwoods. Over the years, people have come not only to visit, but to build cabins, then houses, and make the lake their home. For the most part, in the early days of development, shorelines were left alone or mildly altered. As the years passed, however, the practice of clearing trees, native shrubs, grasses, wildflowers , and other plants, has become all too often a standard occurrence. And, as more and more people are attracted to the lakes, they often bring with them landscaping practices more associated with suburban settings. Within a relatively short time, some area lakes have become surrounded by expansive lawns down to the water's edge, thus replacing native vegetation with turf.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF BAD SHORELINE MANAGEMENT: What this means for wildlife is less suitable habitat and fewer corridors for travel. Deep rooted plants like the native shrubs, grasses, sedges, bulrushes, and others are no longer available to anchor and stabilize the soils. During years of high water, or times of high winds and wave action, rainstorms, and spring snow melt, shorelines become more vulnerable to erosion. The soils and sediments washing into the lake cover aquatic insects, fish eggs, and many plant and animals, cutting off their oxygen supply, and often suffocating them to death. In addition, along with the sediments and soils, the erosion carries nutrients and pollutants from upland activities into the lake.

As a result, many of the same people attracted to the natural beauty of lake life are now discovering a new set of problems as lakeshore property owners and with the health of the lake itself. More and more it becomes apparent that our actions truly do affect the health of the shoreland, the natural habitat, and lake water quality.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS is that much of Ten Mile Lake's shorelands have been left natural and we continue to be blessed with good water quality, abundant wildlife, suitable fish habitat, and aesthetically pleasing shorelines of native vegetation. And best of all, Ten Mile Lake enjoys an interested and informed association membership: people who want to do the "right thing" when it comes to best management practices along their lakeshore property for today and for the future.

The Buffer Zone - a Best Management Practice: One of the Best Management Practices for Lakeshore protection and restoration is guided by the principle that we can seek a balance that satisfies our lakeshore lifestyle and recreation needs while providing for good habitat and water quality. The main concept in this practice is to protect or create a "Buffer Zone" of native vegetation along your shore. This buffer zone works best when it extends out into the water, as deep as plants will grow, and then upland from the water's edge extending 25 feet or so. Does this mean your entire shoreland needs to be planted with native vegetation? The answer is no. Instead, think of buffer zones and your desired use of your lakeshore property as being able to co-exist.

First of all, consider your use patterns and needs regarding the lakeshore. Do you want an area to swim, a place to store your docks or lifts, a path to the lake, a visual connection between your house and the lake, a quiet place to sit, a butterfly garden, more privacy, etc.? With this list in mind, reconsider your image of the ideal shoreline, and remember: removing all the native vegetation damages the shore and lake ecology.

CREATING A PROJECT BASEMAP: Next create a basemap as a reference for your protection or restoration buffer zone project. On this basemap locate your home, cabin, or other buildings, along with your lot lines and driveway. Include your shoreline property dimensions, location of existing trees and shrubs, beach or dock areas, and storage areas. Now, think of your recreational needs and desires and develop a design plan for your lakeshore so you can incorporate your activities and needs while you still maintain areas for the native plant buffer zone. Experts suggest using 25 percent of your shoreline to fulfill the recreational activities and needs while the other 75 percent is used to preserve or restore your native plant buffer zone. Remember, the design plan should substantially reduce the turf lawn, while protecting or adding native trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, and aquatic plants to your property.

HOW TO APPROACH YOUR PROJECT: At this point you'll want to determine the approach to your buffer zone project. Perhaps your shoreland is still naturalized with native vegetation. In this case your plan can be as simple as protecting the existing native plants and planning for and limiting the activities within the shoreland buffer zone. Or, if your shoreland has been previously disturbed and much of the area is covered with turf, maybe you will want to restore native vegetation via the labor saving method of preventing disturbance, by reducing and controlling factors that disturb the buffer zone, such as mowing or raking. A third option is to restore your shoreland's buffer zone via planting native species, - reintroducing native plant materials by seeding, plugging, or planting. And of course buffer zones can be successfully created using a combination of the three approaches. When determining your approach, don't forget to consider your budget, labor, the anticipated time commitment on your part, along with a project time line.

PLANTING NATIVE SPECIES: Should you choose to use the Planting Native Species approach, the next fun step is developing a plant list. Don't forget you want to use native vegetation. We have all come to learn of the terrible problems that develop when exotic species are introduced. When determining which plants to incorporate, one good idea is to look at existing native vegetation around Ten Mile Lake that you find desirable and would like to mimic. You'll want to remind yourself that most plants have specific conditions in which they thrive. Therefore, you need to consider your property's particular drainage, soil type, sun, and wind exposure when making plant selections. Finally, don't forget the values of buffer zones are phenomenal. They:

Wouldn't you say protecting and restoring buffer zones is truly A Right Thing?

MNDNR's "Restore Your Short" CD is a Must-Have!

by Gail Becher, E&E Committee

Recently I came across a tremendous asset to those wanting to protect or restore their shore, or simply to learn about this great Best Management Practice sweeping across the State. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), Division of Ecological Services Ecosystems Education Program has published a CD titled "Restore Your Shore, A Guide to Protecting and Restoring The Natural Beauty of Your Shoreland." I found this CD to be a wealth of inspiring and educational material, excellent photography, soothing natural sounds and informative interviews.

In the Introduction, guiding principles of natural shoreland management are presented: the buffer zone concept, shoreland ecology, water quality, and our stewardship role. The Shore Lore section looks at a range of approaches to protecting and restoring natural shorelands, along with exploring the social aspects of natural landscaping with an exercise called "What will the neighbors think?" This section also offers solutions for twelve of the most common shoreland problems. The next section covers Steps and Techniques, and allows you to follow step by step processes including helpful worksheets and forms to read your shoreline, identify your project objectives, select a management approach, design a shoreline plan, estimate time and costs, and implement a shoreline project. In addition there is an exhaustive plant guide which represents twenty-nine MN plant communities, a database of 402 native plants featuring a full screen profile with text, photos, maps, and species descriptions. Personal plant lists can be generated, edited, saved, and printed to make it easier to select and purchase plants. And thirty-six non-native invasive plants are described in words and photos with recommendations for native alternatives and for control methods. There are links with related themes and learning tools throughout the program for users with internet access routed through the MN-DNR's Web site.

In my opinion, this CD is a must - have for your personal use, education, and enjoyment. The Environment and Ecology Committee with have some on hand to sell at the Annual Meeting, on a first come-first served basis. If the CD's run out, the Committee will take orders. In addition, the CD will be playing at the E & E Committee table before the business meeting starts, so plan to stop by and see it.

The CD is available through the Minnesota Bookstore, by telephone at 1-800-657-3757. You can also contact them by fax at 651-215-5733, or find them online at http://www.minnesotabookstore.com. The cost of the CD is $29.95, plus shipping. However, bulk quantities to Lake Associations are available for $17.97, plus shipping. Should you be interested in ordering at the bulk price and cannot attend the Annual meeting, please contact Gail Becher at 547-3214.

Also, the wonderful book entitled "Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality," which we previously made available at the bulk price of $11.97, plus shipping (vs. $19.95, plus shipping) can also be ordered by contacting Gail Becher. It too is a must-have for those wanting to protect and restore their shoreland property and protect and improve water quality and wildlife habitat.