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Photo
provided by Elk Rapids Chamber |
| Q. |
What
should I do if I have
found evidence of an
invasive species? |
| A. |
Riparians
should report any such
findings to their ESLA
Zone Captain. To find
the phone number of your
Zone Captain, click here. |
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| Q. |
What can I do to protect
the quality of our lakes? |
| A. |
There are many positive actions
you can take as a resident
to protect the quality of
our lakes. There is an entire
chapter devoted to Watershed
Care in our Riparian Handbook,
but here are some basic suggestions:
-Arrange
to have your well water
tested periodically
(your
health department provides
this service).
-Always
work with reputable,
licensed well drillers
that secure the proper
permits.
-Never dispose of toxic chemicals; such as, gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze,
solvents, etc., in your drain.
-Familiarize yourself with the location, operation, and design of your
septic system.
-Preserve green buffers around wetlands, creeks and lakeshores.
-Avoid the use of fertilizers. Most soils in Michigan don’t
require artificial fertilizers to
support healthy grass.
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| Q. |
What
precautions should I
take to avoid swimmer’s
itch? |
| A. |
Towel off
vigorously after swimming
and change into clean dry
clothes. Avoid swimming at
midday when the cercaria
(the swimmer’s itch
parasite) are most active,
and avoid the areas exposed
to prolonged onshore winds
(the larvae drift near the
surface and accumulate in
a wind). Other precautions
to take include swimming
in deeper water where the
snails are unlikely to occur,
and avoiding feeding waterfowl
and attracting them into
your swimming area. Their
presence will only exacerbate
an existing problem. Rubbing
baby oil before swimming
has helped in some cases. |
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| Q. |
What are
some rules regarding boat
and personal watercraft safety? |
| A. |
 On
all ESLA waterways watercraft
must maintain a 100-foot
distance from the shoreline,
docks, swimmers, swimming
areas, fishing boats, sailboats,
or moored vessels. Other
rules applying to watercraft:
-A person must be 12 years old to operate a jet ski or motorboat. Persons 12
to 16 years old must have direct adult supervision while running a jet ski or
carry a boating safety certificate.
-The owner or person in charge of a watercraft is personally liable for illegal
use.
-PWC may not be operated between one hour before sunset and 8:00 AM..
-Sailboats and other non-motorized watercraft always have the right of way over
motorboats.
-Circular boat operation, such as waterskiing, must be in a counter-clockwise
fashion
insofar as it is reasonably possible.
-Boats and PWC towing waterskiers must carry a second person or “spotter” in
addition to
the driver, and be equipped with a rear view mirror. |
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| Q. |
Whom should
be contacted if a watercraft
is speeding or comes too
close to
swimmers or docks? |
| A. |
You should
call the Sheriff’s
department in your county.
Antrim County 231-533-8627
Grand Traverse County 231-922-4500
Kalkaska County 231-258-8686
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| Q. |
How do I
join ESLA? |
| A. |
If you are
interested in joining ESLA,
please contact the ESLA Membership
Committee at rjkingon@prodigy.net.
ESLA membership is open to
all interested parties.
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| Q. |
What exactly
is a Watershed? |
| A. |
A watershed
is all the land that drains
into a body of water such
as a lake, river, stream,
or wetland. |
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| Q. |
How can
I keep boats and PWC from
coming too close to my dock
or swimming area? |
| A. |
Consider
using a raft or buoy out
100 feet from dock or swimming
area to help keep watercraft
a safe distance. |
