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On Becoming Lake Wise
An interview with Conservation Specialist Lisa Niccolai: How The Lake Wise Program helps lakeshore owners protect Lake Fairlee November, 2022 
Lisa, please tell us about yourself and how you got involved with Lake Fairlee?
I am a Conservation Specialist with the White River Natural Resources Conservation District (WRNRCD). The District provides technical assistance for landowners in Orange and the northern part of Windsor County to improve their environmental stewardship through the implementation of conservation practices and education. The District has been working with the Lake Fairlee Association to address the lake’s water quality for several years. Every year The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) puts together a scorecard for lakes across the state based on long-term monitoring data related to nutrients, aquatic invasive species, shoreland and lake habitat, and mercury pollution. Lakes are graded based on this data. Lake Fairlee is currently graded “stressed” due to alarming nutrient enrichment trends. To help identify why the phosphorus levels are rising, the state put together funding to complete a Lake Watershed Action Plan (LWAP). The LWAP considers the lake’s shoreland, tributaries, and hydrologically connected roads and combines the information into a planning guide that prioritizes restoration and protection actions specific to the Lake Fairlee watershed. The LWAP helps identify the greatest threats to water quality, wildlife habitat, and overall lake ecosystem health. Part of the LWAP included funding for the District to offer The Lake Wise Program to shoreland property owners. How does the WRNRCD work with lakeshore residents to help Lake Fairlee? The Lake Wise Program helps residents implement shoreland best management practices. After they reach out to me, I meet with landowners, walk their property, and through conversations, we help identify ways their property can be more lake-friendly. Afterward, I provide a written report with photographs and additional information about changes that could be implemented to slow the flow of water before it enters the lake. Lake Wise is completely voluntary and there is no obligation to make changes. Our hope is that we educate people to do their part to repair and protect the lake. Through this process, they may discover that adding plantings or defining a path solves an erosion issue, benefits the lake, and improves the aesthetics of their property. The program is great for participants because it’s free and there are no penalties; it’s all about education. If a shoreline property meets the Lake Wise qualifications, the landowner is awarded a sign to post stating that their property is Lake Friendly! As more and more homes display the Lake Wise award, awareness and interest will spread. As individuals, we can have a huge impact on supporting cleaner water and improving the health of Lake Fairlee. |
Have you worked with any Lake Fairlee shoreline owners to date?
Many! Lake Wise visits have already covered 11,677 ft of shoreline or about 37% of the lakeshore land. So far, eleven landowners have been awarded the Lake Wise sign for lake-friendly management. If several more lakeshore owners make a few changes, they also will become eligible for the commendations. There is a lot of positive momentum toward lake properties becoming Lake Wise certified. It is very exciting!
Are you working with any of the camps or public/ town properties?
As many of you know, Lake Fairlee has five summer camps and a town beach. The camps and Treasure Island cover many feet of shoreline. One of the most exciting results from this past summer was that we were able to conduct Lake Wise assessments on the three Aloha Foundation camps and the Town of Thetford's Treasure Island. These are large shoreline properties where lots of children and families enjoy supervised water activities. This makes safety and visibility paramount. Balancing the need for safety while protecting the lake and shoreline poses an interesting challenge. But you know the best part? We worked together to find areas that can be improved to protect the lake without compromising safety and even enhancing the waterfront for campers and visitors. The process will take more time to complete but there is a lot of interest to implement changes that align with Lake Wise standards. I am delighted to say that Ohana is the first camp to be awarded Lake Wise and I anticipate more in the future.
Are there other benefits to working with you and the Lake Wise program?
Yes! You can feel good you are managing your lakefront property in ways that improve Lake Fairlee’s water quality and shoreline health. At the same time, you have an opportunity to learn about shoreline vegetation as well as land and water ecosystems. You also can help the lake by talking with your neighbors about what you’ve learned and encouraging them to join our efforts by contacting me to have a free consultation.
Bear in mind, too, that some projects will be eligible to be included in the Lake Watershed Action Plan. If a project meets certain criteria and the landowner is interested in making a change, the LWAP has funds to cover the first 30% of projects that are designed to improve lakeshore health. That includes preliminary designs, cost estimates, and identifying which permits will be required. Once a project has been identified in the LWAP, it becomes eligible for additional funding to implement the project. This winter we will be prioritizing projects and working with landowners to determine which projects will be included in the LWAP.
How does a property owner start the Lake Wise certification or Lake Watershed Action Plan eligibility process?
A shoreline or watershed landowner who wants to learn more about our program and set up a site visit can email me at [email protected]. We’ll walk your property and discuss how you use your open space. Our goal is to help you slow and filter the flow of water as it approaches the lake at the same time balancing your recreational needs. Maybe you need a big lawn for children and pets to run around but all you would need to become certified is to enlarge your lakeside buffer or simply let your grass grow longer! Some of these are easy fixes. There are lots of ways to be lake friendly and I really like sharing ideas with folks to help them become better stewards of the lake and land.
If you have problem areas where erosion occurs such as a deteriorating seawall, a driveway, or a pathway that repeatedly washes out, please reach out to me. Together we can solve the problem and help the lake. There is still time to conduct Lake Wise visits and include projects in the LWAP.
How can the Lake Wise program help decrease the chances of a cyanobacteria bloom on Lake Fairlee?
Excessive phosphorus and warm temperatures provide ideal conditions for algae to grow or "bloom." Increasing the buffer of native plants along the shoreline is one of the best changes a landowner can do to reduce sediments including phosphorous from entering the lake. Vegetative buffers create shade and serve as a natural filter. They slow the flow of water, decrease the amount of sediment entering the lake, and provide important habitats for land and aquatic wildlife.
Shoreline property owners seeking Lake Wise certification are educating themselves about best practices to help improve water quality and lake health. Small changes add up quickly around a lake. For example, have you considered letting your grass grow longer, mowing less frequently, and eliminating fertilizer? Using a mulching mower allows the cut layer of grass and leaves to remain, which nourishes and returns nutrients to the soil. If you think you need fertilizer, do a soil test first; you may be surprised that lime is all you need. Do you know that Vermont law prohibits the use fertilizers with phosphorus in most cases and does not allow the application of any fertilizer within 25 feet of public waters like Lake Fairlee and its tributaries?
Leaking and unmaintained septic systems are other causes of excess phosphorus in the lake. Have your system regularly maintained to make sure it is functioning properly.
Through Lake Wise, we can look at your property and provide a customized report about what you can do to help reduce the chances of excess nutrients getting into Lake Fairlee. Working together we can help create healthy native shoreline buffers and improve Lake Fairlee’s water quality for all. Thank you.
More information on these and other topics is available in the “At Home by the Water” guide.
Interested in buying native trees? EC Browns' Nursery offers a discount on native trees, shrubs, and perennials for Lake Fairlee Association members.
Many! Lake Wise visits have already covered 11,677 ft of shoreline or about 37% of the lakeshore land. So far, eleven landowners have been awarded the Lake Wise sign for lake-friendly management. If several more lakeshore owners make a few changes, they also will become eligible for the commendations. There is a lot of positive momentum toward lake properties becoming Lake Wise certified. It is very exciting!
Are you working with any of the camps or public/ town properties?
As many of you know, Lake Fairlee has five summer camps and a town beach. The camps and Treasure Island cover many feet of shoreline. One of the most exciting results from this past summer was that we were able to conduct Lake Wise assessments on the three Aloha Foundation camps and the Town of Thetford's Treasure Island. These are large shoreline properties where lots of children and families enjoy supervised water activities. This makes safety and visibility paramount. Balancing the need for safety while protecting the lake and shoreline poses an interesting challenge. But you know the best part? We worked together to find areas that can be improved to protect the lake without compromising safety and even enhancing the waterfront for campers and visitors. The process will take more time to complete but there is a lot of interest to implement changes that align with Lake Wise standards. I am delighted to say that Ohana is the first camp to be awarded Lake Wise and I anticipate more in the future.
Are there other benefits to working with you and the Lake Wise program?
Yes! You can feel good you are managing your lakefront property in ways that improve Lake Fairlee’s water quality and shoreline health. At the same time, you have an opportunity to learn about shoreline vegetation as well as land and water ecosystems. You also can help the lake by talking with your neighbors about what you’ve learned and encouraging them to join our efforts by contacting me to have a free consultation.
Bear in mind, too, that some projects will be eligible to be included in the Lake Watershed Action Plan. If a project meets certain criteria and the landowner is interested in making a change, the LWAP has funds to cover the first 30% of projects that are designed to improve lakeshore health. That includes preliminary designs, cost estimates, and identifying which permits will be required. Once a project has been identified in the LWAP, it becomes eligible for additional funding to implement the project. This winter we will be prioritizing projects and working with landowners to determine which projects will be included in the LWAP.
How does a property owner start the Lake Wise certification or Lake Watershed Action Plan eligibility process?
A shoreline or watershed landowner who wants to learn more about our program and set up a site visit can email me at [email protected]. We’ll walk your property and discuss how you use your open space. Our goal is to help you slow and filter the flow of water as it approaches the lake at the same time balancing your recreational needs. Maybe you need a big lawn for children and pets to run around but all you would need to become certified is to enlarge your lakeside buffer or simply let your grass grow longer! Some of these are easy fixes. There are lots of ways to be lake friendly and I really like sharing ideas with folks to help them become better stewards of the lake and land.
If you have problem areas where erosion occurs such as a deteriorating seawall, a driveway, or a pathway that repeatedly washes out, please reach out to me. Together we can solve the problem and help the lake. There is still time to conduct Lake Wise visits and include projects in the LWAP.
How can the Lake Wise program help decrease the chances of a cyanobacteria bloom on Lake Fairlee?
Excessive phosphorus and warm temperatures provide ideal conditions for algae to grow or "bloom." Increasing the buffer of native plants along the shoreline is one of the best changes a landowner can do to reduce sediments including phosphorous from entering the lake. Vegetative buffers create shade and serve as a natural filter. They slow the flow of water, decrease the amount of sediment entering the lake, and provide important habitats for land and aquatic wildlife.
Shoreline property owners seeking Lake Wise certification are educating themselves about best practices to help improve water quality and lake health. Small changes add up quickly around a lake. For example, have you considered letting your grass grow longer, mowing less frequently, and eliminating fertilizer? Using a mulching mower allows the cut layer of grass and leaves to remain, which nourishes and returns nutrients to the soil. If you think you need fertilizer, do a soil test first; you may be surprised that lime is all you need. Do you know that Vermont law prohibits the use fertilizers with phosphorus in most cases and does not allow the application of any fertilizer within 25 feet of public waters like Lake Fairlee and its tributaries?
Leaking and unmaintained septic systems are other causes of excess phosphorus in the lake. Have your system regularly maintained to make sure it is functioning properly.
Through Lake Wise, we can look at your property and provide a customized report about what you can do to help reduce the chances of excess nutrients getting into Lake Fairlee. Working together we can help create healthy native shoreline buffers and improve Lake Fairlee’s water quality for all. Thank you.
More information on these and other topics is available in the “At Home by the Water” guide.
Interested in buying native trees? EC Browns' Nursery offers a discount on native trees, shrubs, and perennials for Lake Fairlee Association members.
Lisa Niccolai
Conservation Specialist, White River Natural Resources Conservation District (WRNRCD) Lisa is a graduate of Yale School of Forestry where she received a Master in Forestry. She graduated from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA., with a B.A. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Wildlife Biology. Contact Lisa: email |