What We Stand For
Stewardship
To strengthen & expand stakeholder participation in STL as the primary voice for promoting healthy RI lakes.
Education
To increase public awareness of the problems, issues and concerns facing lakes.
Advocacy
To promote action at the State and Municipal (cities/towns/neighborhoods) levels that support and sustain healthy lakes.
Collaboration
To foster partnerships with environmental & conservation associations, fishing and boating groups, realtors and others with whom we have shared interest
Our Four Strategic Pillars
Water Quality:
- High dissolved oxygen levels
- Low phosphorus counts
- Low bacteria levels
- Clarity low / turbidity
Concerns:
- AIS, hydrilla a very serious threat
- lgae Blooms / cyanobacteria
- Stormwater runoff & pollution
- Wakeboats: danger to boats & swimmers
- Climate change
- Insufficient funds to address needs
Concerns:
- Chemicals to treat AIS
- Nutrient Pollution
- Stormwater & industrial runoff/fish toxicity
- Safety: Wakeboat waves threaten smaller boats
- Climate change
- Boat fees might be raised
Water Quality:
- High Dissolve Oxygen levels
- Patches of aquatic vegetation
- Adequate depth variations
- Diverse underwater structure
Access:
- Quality boat ramps
Important:
- Protection of lands & waters
- Biodiversity protection & habitat restoration
- Climate change mitigation
- Sustainable resource management
- Education & advocacy
Concerns:
- Engaging in collaborative partnerships
- Promoting policies & solutions that ensure & protect habitats
- Preserving biological integrity of watersheds
- Supporting & maintaining a balanced, diverse & healthy community of organisms
Important for Lakes:
- Protection of freshwater bodies
- Water quality that supports fish & other aquatic life
- Healthy lakes store carbon & help regulate local temperatures
- Environmentally sound practices in addressing lake needs
- Education & advocacy – promoting best practices for lakes
Concerns for Lakes:
- Engaging in collaborative partnerships
- Promoting policies & solutions that protect water quality & safe habitats for fish & aquatic species & humans
- Watersheds are critical to lake health
- Combatting the spread of aquatic invasive species is critical to the preservation of lakes
Objectives:
- More disciplined approach to managing different commissions in town
- Increased tax revenue and property values
- Safe and clean lakes with reduced health risks
- Creation of lake associations to assist towns in lake safety.
- Assessment of resources within and between towns allows for funding alignment
- More opportunities for the town council to create proud events
Water Quality:
- High Dissolve Oxygen levels
- Patches of aquatic vegetation
- Adequate depth variations
- Diverse underwater structure
Access:
- Quality boat ramps
- Swimming, boating, fishing
Concerns:
- Weed abatement
- Nutrient Pollution
- Stormwater run off
- Safety:
- Wakeboat waves threaten smaller boats
- Resiliency and flooding