Western Lake
Management Plan Meeting Synopsis
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
I. Areas of Concern
Outlet Management
? Allow for the natural function of the outlet
? Concerned with last year?s management of the lake-specifically diverting of the outlet from its historical course and planting sea oats to assist in the diversion
? Education of the details of the proposed management of the outlet
? Need a more streamlined process to open the lake
? Constructing sand dunes to protect from potential storm surge
? Public use of outlet is impacting the dunes that affect the lake
? Need more signs to educate the community on the importance of the dunes to the lakes
Alteration to Lake Bathymetry (Bottom of Lake) **
? Overall decrease in the depth of the lake due to the accumulation of sand
? Increasing the temperature of the lake
? Fuels algal growth
Storm-water Runoff ***
? Concerned about the overall health of the lake
? Concerned about the impacts from Septic Systems
? Are there incentives/plans to remove septic systems from the lakes? watershed?
? What incentives can be provided to homeowners to hook up to sewer?
Governmental Oversight/Enforcement *
? Effectiveness of governmental oversight
? Oversight of the impacts from adjacent development-specifically the Grayton Grand Project
? Who is watching over the impacts of development after the permitting process?
? Rules and activities involving the lake should mimic the natural functions as much as possible
? Develop new regulations that focus on the impacts from historic (?grandfathered?) disturbances to the lakes
? Need to utilize an adaptive management strategy; manage for diversity of natural communities
Hurricane Debris *
? Addressing the debris accumulated in the fingers of the lake
? Removing debris leftover from last year ? some debris is still present
? Utilize more environmentally sensitive practices in removing the debris
Education/Outreach *
? Need more outreach to absentee homeowners
Shoreline Restoration **
? Treatment of Invasive/Exotic
? Develop a long-term plan for invasive/exotic species removal-what will take its place?
? Develop a risk/benefit analysis for invasive/exotic species removal
? Natural water fluctuations assist in maintaining the natural vegetation communities in lieu of fire suppression
? Worried about the impact of the common reed and alligator weed now that it is so prevalent around the lake
? What are the regulations in applying herbicides around the lakes? How is the lake protected?
? Need to restore the shoreline vegetation around the lakes
? Encroachment of seawalls
II. Potential Solutions
? Create storm-water projects to fix storm-water runoff from 30-A and boat ramp
? Create a program to remove septic systems from the lake
? Allows water levels to fluctuate more naturally because septic tanks would not be factored in the trigger level
? Educate homeowners on proper fertilizing techniques and potential impacts to water quality
? Develop watershed education campaign
o Feature educational materials in local newspapers
o Target realtors to help disseminate the brochures
o Focus on education to local students
o Email campaign that utilizes disseminating information in smaller doses
? Develop an educational package for new homeowners
o Stress the financial importance of maintaining good water quality
o Target homeowners association
o Utilize association?s website
? Lump the dune lakes information with a more noticeable topic such as dunes and beaches
? Highlighting the economic value and importance of these ecosystems
? Asking governmental organizations to look at an ecosystem management approach
? Uniting the governmental organizations to cooperate in protecting these ecosystems through additional protection measures-more protection/oversight through County government
? Develop a land-use plan to determine potential impact from future development
? Educating county officials on the extent of the lakes? watershed and the potential impact from development within the watershed
? Examine and improve the regulations related to single family dwellings ? the cumulative impacts to the watershed
? Require a set standard of Best Management Practices for any new development around the lake
? Provide educational classes to train the local community on the Best Management Practices (BMP?s)
? Have major organization develop a model site showcasing these BMP?s
? Encourage a prompt response to hurricane debris removal
o Access points-County Boat Ramp
? Develop a set of guidelines to ensure proper removal of debris
o County Government should formally adopt the guidelines
o Provide economic incentives
o Hand removal in sensitive areas, when feasible
