Why are Lawns and Gardens a Potential Problem?

Homeowners commonly over-apply fertilizer, adding much more nitrogen and phosphorus to a lawn than it will use. Although Hauser Lake has few lawns that go right down to the lakeshore with no buffer strips, excess nutrients or pesticides can still be washed, or carried by shallow ground water, into the lake by rain or heavy irrigating.

Lawns, gardens and pastures near Hauser Lake or any of its tributaries must be carefully planned and maintained to prevent possible contamination of surface waters. Native vegetation should be considered as a quality alternative to cultured lawns and landscapes.  Eventually, most landscapes will revert to a native state if no maintenance is performed and planting native vegetation certainly will hasten the process.

What is Lake*A*Syst?
It is a Lakeshore Assessment System; a voluntary program designed to help protect Hauser Lake by providing residents with information and recommendations on how to reduce their impacts on the lake.

Lake*A*Syst is a 3-step process:

1. Read each section and complete the Homeowners Risk Assessment Sheet.

2. Complete the Action Checklist Worksheet to inventory your stormwater sources.

3. Take action to protect water quality by implementing the Best Management Practices (BMP) described in each section of this book.

How do I complete the worksheet?

After reviewing the information provided, go to the worksheet and check what applies to you.  This should take about 15 to 30 minutes to complete the worksheet and summarize your risk rankings.

Download and Print Lawn and Garden Management
 

Download and Print Homeowner Risk Assessment Worksheet