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
Linear Mode
