30 Mile is a regional coordinator of LakeSmart, a statewide program led by Maine Lakes. This education and reward program helps lakefront homeowners manage their properties in ways that are lake-friendly and protect water quality. The program is free, non-regulatory, and voluntary.
How does it work?
First, a homeowner requests a free site visit. Trained volunteers then perform a property assessment to help homeowners understand what is working well and what could be improved . Homeowners receive individualized suggestions for keeping pollutants in stormwater and septic systems out of lake waters. Sites that score well earn the coveted LakeSmart Award and distinctive signs that can be posted at the waterfront and driveway, identifying the homes of good stewards and illustrating what lake-friendly living looks like.
30 Mile currently works with volunteer teams on Androscoggin Lake, Parker and David Ponds, and Lovejoy Pond. We hope to soon have teams that cover every lake and pond in our watershed.
To learn more about this statewide program, visit www.lakes.me/lakesmart.
To request a free site visit or to learn about volunteering, please contact Lidie at lidie@30mileriver.org.
Pictured Above: 30 Mile’s Lidie Robbins and Androscoggin Lake volunteer Patt Koscinski conduct a LakeSmart evaluation on Pocasset Lake this week.
