LakeSmart Start

LakeSmart Start Program

The Friends' LakeSmart Start program is the first step of our "Slow the Flow" program to help prevent waterfront erosion. "Slow the Flow" is in reference to wanting to slow the flow of polluted runoff into a lake, including soil and nutrients.

The program starts with the LakeSmart Start site visit, conducted by our Slow the Flow Technical Advisor, Jay Lindsey. During the site visit, Jay will listen to your observations and concerns and walk the property with you, looking for signs of polluted runoff and erosion issues. Jay will then develop a schematic of the actions you could take to reduce the problems, along with some resources on permitting, methods, and product vendors.

Ongoing support by the by the Friends can include assistance in filling out the State's Permit by Rule form and providing requiring documents with the application, as well as installing of non-machinery based proejcts on your property via our Youth Conservation Corps team. These services are provided with the agreement that the property owner will cover our costs and labor and minimal overheads; the LakeSmart Start site visit is provided free of charge thanks to our business sponsors.