Blue Circle

Blue Circle Award

by Clare Stevens

As I announced in the winter newsletter, HLWA will be presenting a Blue Circle Award for the first time during our Annual Meeting on July 12, 2008. You will now have the opportunity to nominate someone who you believe is worthy or submit your own name using the criteria and nomination/application form that follows or can be found on our website. www.hlwa.org.

The purpose of the HLWA Blue Circle Award is to heighten awareness, among all watershed property owners, of our opportunity and responsibility to be stewards of Highland Lake. Since lakes are fragile natural resources, it is incumbent upon property owners to learn about the lake environment and manage their property in a way that will protect and preserve lake water quality. The Blue Circle Award will, each year, spotlight and publicize the efforts of one or more watershed property owners who demonstrate a keen sense of stewardship.

The following examples of stewardship will be used to identify the Blue Circle Award recipient(s):

landscapes property with trees, shrubs and plants that will prevent erosion and be aesthetically appropriate for the natural lake environment;

uses landscaping techniques such as terracing, lakeside buffer gardens and rain gardens to prevent erosion and manage storm water;

removes only diseased or dead trees and replaces those where feasible;

maintains property by using a minimal amount of phosphate fertilizer and pesticides; seeks alternative methods to provide needed nutrients for vegetation, natural methods of weed control and pest control;

sends soil samples to UConn Agricultural Extension Service for analysis; uses that information to determine appropriate types and amount of fertilizer or other nutrients needed for healthy grass, plants, shrubs and trees (if needed at all);

reduces or eliminates the amount of lawn by using ground cover and shrubs which are less fertilizer/pesticide dependent and have greater capacity to control erosion; adds native vegetation which is less pesticide dependent;

chooses a minimal amount of impervious surfaces, i.e., uses gravel, flat stones or pavers for driveways and walkways instead of cement or asphalt;

selects effective drainage techniques to accommodate severe storm events (may include dry wells, curtain drains, gutters, or rock barriers to break the force of flowing water); keeps gutters and storm drains clean and free of debris;

prevents lake shoreline erosion by providing an effective retaining wall or other natural shoreline protection;

obeys State of Connecticut Boating Regulations which require water vessels to travel 100 feet from shore or a dock when moving more that 6 mph (personal water craft are required to be 200 feet from shore or dock); this prevents shoreline erosion as well as safety for swimmers;

does not feed or entice waterfowl since their waste is detrimental to lake water quality; removes pet waste from landscape;

minimizes use of soaps and chemicals for car, house siding and boat cleaning to prevent them from leaching into the lake or aquifer;

removes sand and debris from storm drains adjacent to their property to increase their effectiveness in keeping lake water clean;

prevents oil/gas spills from cars, boats or mechanical equipment;

recycles vegetation through composting; disposes unwanted vegetation a safe distance from the lake or takes it to a landfill;

observes all land use on the watershed and is proactive in its preservation and protection; and/or

volunteers to serve on Town boards, commissions and committees pertaining to watershed protection (Board of Selectmen, Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Conservation Commission, Water Level Committee, Dock and Mooring Committee, etc.).
Everyone who lives in the Highland Lake watershed is eligible to nominate a person who you believe to be worthy or apply yourself for the Blue Circle Award (except HLWA Board of Directors members).

Nomination/Application for HLWA Blue Circle Award
Name_______________________________________________
Address______________________________________________
Phone___________________Email________________________
Please write a brief description of the actions you or your nominees take that demonstrate your stewardship of Highland Lake (refer to examples listed or create your own). If you have any pictures showing the stewardship actions, they would be very helpful; please include them with this application and email to hlwa@snet.net or mail to Highland Lake Watershed Association, P.O. Box 1022, Winsted, CT 06098.
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Please help us to recognize and honor one or more exemplary stewards of our lake. If you have any questions, please call me at 860.379.1596 or contact any of the members of the Board of Directors.
Blue Circle Application

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