Objectives
Awareness
To increase public awareness of the problems, issues and concerns facing lakes.
Action
To promote action at the State and Municipal (cities/towns/neighborhoods) levels that support and sustain healthy lakes.
Partnerships
To foster partnerships with environmental & conservation associations, fishing and boating groups, realtors and others with whom we have shared interest
Participation
To strengthen & expand stakeholder participation in STL as the primary voice for promoting healthy RI lakes.
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