Lake Superior Watershed Rural Property...

LakLake Superior We Superior WateratershedshedRRurural Pal Prroperoperty Guidety Guide

Example Cook County, MinnesotaExample Cook County, MinnesotaLAKE SUPERIORBINATIONAL FORUM

DRAFT

Participating Organizations:

MichigancountiesMichigan Department of Environmental Quality Michigan Sea GrantSuperior Watershed Partnership

MinnesotaCarlton CountyCook County Lake CountyMinnesota Pollution Control Agency Minnesota Sea GrantSt. Louis County

WisconsincountiesUniversity of Wisconsin Extension ServiceWisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesWisconsin Sea Grant

OntarioEcoSuperiorMinistry of Environment

Environment CanadaOntario Region

U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyGreat Lakes National Program Office

LAKE SUPERIOR WATERSHED RURAL PROPERTY GUIDE 1

Lake SuperiorWatershedRuralPropertyGuideExampleCook County, Minnesota

2 LAKE SUPERIOR WATERSHED RURAL PROPERTY GUIDE

Table of Contents

What Is In This Guide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Introduction to the Lake Superior Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Septic Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Waste Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Energy Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Shorelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Stormwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Landscaping for Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Keeping your Family Safe from Mercury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ??




Owning and managing rural prop-erties is challenging as well asrewarding. A dream to create

that perfect home, hunting land orsecluded retreat in the country requirescareful planning and maintenance. Arural landowner has responsibilities toprotect their environment in ways thatcity dwellers are unaccustomed to,including coping with land, water and airquality.

This guide answers some of the mostcommon questions asked by rurallandowners and helps you find the infor-mation needed to plan and care for yourproperty in ways that comply withapplicable environmental regulations andbest management practices.

The following questions are designed tohelp you navigate some of the programsthat are important to rural property own-ers. Good luck on your journey andenjoy your property for years to come!

• My family uses a well for drinkingwater. How do I know it's safe andwhat can I do to protect it? —seeWells

• What happens when I flush the toiletor drain the sinks? How do I keepthings working efficiently? —seeSeptic Systems

• How do I deal with solid and haz-ardous wastes now that I live in thecountry? —see Waste Disposal

• There are wet or swampy areas onmy property. How do I find outwhat I can and can't do with them?How can I protect and manage wet-lands on my property? —seeWetlands

• My property includes lakeshore orstream banks. How can I find outwhat I can and can't do in theseareas? What environmentally friend-ly practices are recommended onand around the dock, boathouse, andboat launches? —see Shorelines

• My property has habitat such asforests and grasslands. What adviceis available for managing such habi-tats in this region? —see Habitat

• I don't want the soil on my propertyto erode or the runoff to pollutewater. Where do I get informationto manage this? —see Stormwater

• I want to know more about theplants and animals on my property.What can I do to attract and protectplants and animals on my property?—see Landscaping

• I'm looking for more advice on ruralproperty and managing an environ-mentally responsible household. —see Other

What is inThis Guide?


“Breathtaking rocky cliffs towering over shimmering aquamarine waters; hidden myste-rious coves protecting an astonishing array of habitat for fish and wildlife; deep, crys-tal clear, frigid waters silently guarding the final resting place for more than 350 ship-wrecked vessels... These are some of the images evoked by the “greatest” of the GreatLakes: Lake Superior, or as the Ojibwe people named it, “gichigami.”

Or: “Straddling two countries, with a crown of iron and a foot of copper, Lake Superiormerits her title as queen of the inland seas. She is loved and feared, admired andrespected. Sometimes she’s serene and peaceful, at other times turbulent and tempestu-ous. Her wooded shores, the pristine streams that feed her, and the rugged cliffs thatpay homage to her are dwarfed by Queen Superior herself, greatest of the GreatLakes.” Craig Charles, Exploring Superior Country, 1992

Note: if your property lies in the green area above, then water from your property willdrain to Lake Superior.


Introductionto the LakeSuperiorWatershed

The Lake Superior watershed is oneof the most special places in theworld. The lake’s pristine beauty

and frigid waters inspire and awe resi-dents and visitors alike. Equally specialis the watershed, where forests, wetlands,placid lakes and bedrock cover the land-scape and lively trout streams tumbletowards the lake. With a total area of96,000 sq kilometers (37,000 squaremiles), the lake contains one-tenth of theworld’s supply of freshwater and one-fourth of all the water in the Great Lakes.

Despite its immense size, Lake Superioris surprisingly fragile. The year-roundcold temperatures of Lake Superior andsmall amount of nutrients entering thelake result in a simple food chain thatends with top predator fish such as laketrout and salmon. Because LakeSuperior is nourished by forests andwatered by streams, changes on the landbecome changes in the lake. We findalgae blooms in bays, contaminated sedi-ment in harbors, invasive species on theland and in the water and toxic contami-nants building up in the food chain.

What is being done to protectthe Lake Superior watershed?

In Canada and the United States, severalbinational and domestic initiatives havebeen developed to protect, restore, andmaintain Lake Superior and the otherfour lakes that make up the Great Lakesecosystem. A special Lake SuperiorBinational Program was initiated in 1991

by the governments surrounding LakeSuperior. Governments, municipalities,and community groups are makingprogress but they cannot do it alone.They need help from people like you inorder to get the job done.

What can I do to help?Every action counts! As a property owneror realtor, there are many things that youcan do to help restore and protect theLake Superior basin. This binder wasdesigned to make it easier for you to helprestore and protect Lake Superior. Pleaselook over this binder when you move inand keep handy for future reference.

For questions about a specific topic orissue on your property, please consult therelevant section of the binder. For ques-tions about the Lake Superior BinationalProgram or additional copies of thisbinder, please contact:

Canada:Pamela FinlaysonEnvironment CanadaPhone: (416) [email protected]

United States:E. Marie WinesUnited States Environmental Protection

AgencyPhone: (312) [email protected]

Welcome to your new home in the water-shed of the Greatest Lake!



Groundwater accumulates fromprecipitation and is storedbeneath the surface of the earth.

It fills cracks, pores and crevices ofunderground materials. Many ruralhomes and businesses rely completely ongroundwater for their source of potablewater.

As a water supply, groundwater is actual-ly preferable to surface water from rivers,lakes or streams. Groundwater requiresminimum treatment and quality and tem-perature is usually uniform. When prop-erly managed, groundwater is a depend-able source of supply that is accessed bydrilling wells.

Well Basics

There are three main types of well:• drilled• dug or bored• sand point

Each type of well has its advantages anddisadvantages. Drilled wells can reachdeeper aquifers and can be drilledthrough bedrock. These wells are alsoless susceptible to contamination. Somedeep, drilled wells do have a tendency toproduce poor water quality however, dueto salt, sulphur and other minerals.

Dug wells are usually shallow, typicallyin the 6 to 9 metre (20 to 30) foot range.They are easy and inexpensive to con-struct. On the other hand, water shortages

are possible with these shallow wellsduring dry periods and they are quite vul-nerable to contamination from debris orbacteria found in surface water (asopposed to groundwater) which mayinfiltrate these wells.

Sand point wells are generally simpleand inexpensive to install but they arelimited to installation in permeable mate-rials like sand, have limited yield, aresusceptible to shortages in dry periodsand are quite vulnerable to contaminationfrom surface water and materials.

Best Management Practices

Wells need to be properly constructedand managed in order to provide a safe,reliable source of water. Best manage-ment practices are not limited to the wellalone but are inextricably related to howa property as a whole is managed. Anaction on one part of the property canaffect the well which is located on anoth-er part of the property.

A well should be properly located inorder to minimize the risk of contamina-tion. Separation distance from potentialsources of contamination is dictated bylocal, provincial or state regulations.Keep in mind that these are minimumdistances. Greater separation adds to thesafety of your water supply.

Wells must also have watertight casingsto a minimum depth. If they do not have

Wells

Cross ReferencesImproperly designed,installed or maintained sep-tic systems have the poten-tial to contaminate wells. -see Septic Systems


watertight casings to this depth, wellsmust have increased separation distanceto potential sources of contamination.Potential sources of contaminationinclude animal pens and barns, homes,buildings and downspouts (which canflush large quantities of debris locked upin surface water into a well which is notproperly sealed), septic fields, etc.

Wells must also be properly maintained.This includes the following actions:

– Regular testing for bacteria andother contaminants,

– inspection for cracks and leakswhich admit surface water,

– inspection for staining on the wellinterior which may indicate that,over time, surface water is seepinginto the well,

– removal of debris which may befloating in the well,

– ensuring ground directly around thewell is mounded up to promotedrainage away from the well and

– maintenance of a buffer around thewell.

Note: the above text was adapted frommaterials developed by the GreenCommunities Canada program.


Wells continued



Well Resources[Minnesota]

[Cook County]

The Cook County Property Owners Resource guide covers wells on page 11. SeeAppendix B of this binder or http://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/cook_pog.pdf

[Lake County]

The Lake County Property Owners Resource guide covers wells on page 7. SeeAppendix B of this binder orhttp://www.lakecounty.govoffice2.com/vertical/Sites/{A88D6CA0-192C-4EBE-8698-70C44B114E79}/uploads/{A7E37FD1-32BA-4B74-918D-B706CA38F915}.PDF



If you have a sewer bill or part of yourproperty tax covers wastewater treat-ment, then what is flushed down your

toilet or drains into your sink is going toa wastewater treatment plant and youdon’t have to worry about a septic sys-tem. If you aren’t hooked up to a waste-water treatment plant, then you have aseptic system (also called an “on-site”treatment system) and this informationwill be helpful.

What Do Septic Systems Do?Septic systems protect human healthand the environment by safely recy-cling wastewater back into the naturalenvironment. Septic systems treatwastewater as well as, or better than,municipal treatment systems at a rea-sonable cost when properly designed,installed, operated, and maintained.Federal, state, and local regulation ofon-site systems focuses on propertreatment of sewage to protect citi-zens, communities, and the environ-ment.

How Does a Septic System Work?In typical on-site treatment systems,all wastewater is co-mingled, treated,and dispersed by one system. Thereare a few separation systems in whichtoilet wastes are treated separatelyfrom other wastewater. Common sep-tic systems all have three basic com-ponents: plumbing, septic tank, and asoil treatment area. Individual sys-tems may have variations of each ofthese.

Septic Systems Require CareRegularly clean/pump and inspect theseptic tank

• The septic tank must be cleaned orpumped regularly to remove allsolids. Never go into the septic tank.It lacks oxygen and contains danger-ous gases.

• Always clean the tank through themanhole.

• Always use a licensed professional.• Be sure all solids are removed (flush

and back-flush). • Inspect the baffles to be sure they are

in place and functioning properly.

Maintain pumps and filters properly• All pumps and motors should be

routinely checked for proper opera-tion.

• Replace weak or faulty pumps andmotors.

• Install and clean lint filters on laun-dry equipment.

• Clean or replace effluent filters reg-ularly.

• Attend to alarms on pumps and fil-ters immediately.

Protect the soil treatment area• Mow but do not fertilize or water

turf grasses. • Keep heavy vehicles (cars, tractors,

snowmobiles, etc.) off soil treatmentarea.

• Do not place gardens, swing sets, orsand boxes over this area.

• Do not plant trees and shrubs on orclose to this area.

• Maintain stands of appropriateplants on constructed wetland sites.

Note: the above text was adapted frommaterials developed by the MinnesotaExtension Service.

SepticSystems

Cross ReferencesImproperly designed,installed or maintainedseptic systems have thepotential to contaminatewells. - see Wells


Septic System Resources[Minnesota]

Buying a Cabin With a Septic System:http://septic.umn.edu/homeowner/factsheets/buyingacabin.html

Septic System Owners Guide:http://shop.extension.umn.edu/PublicationDetail.aspx?ID=941

Understanding Your Septic System:http://septic.umn.edu/homeowner/factsheets/understanding.html

Minnesota's Individual Sewage Treatment Systems Program (ISTS):http://www.pca.state.mn.us/programs/ists/

[Cook County]

The Cook County Property Owners Resource guide covers septic systems on pages 12and 13. See Appendix B of this binder or http://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/cook_pog.pdf

[Lake County]

The Lake County Property Owners Resource guide covers septic systems on pages 8and 9. See Appendix B of this binder orhttp://www.lakecounty.govoffice2.com/vertical/Sites/{A88D6CA0-192C-4EBE-8698-70C44B114E79}/uploads/{A7E37FD1-32BA-4B74-918D-B706CA38F915}.PDF

[St. Louis County]

St. Louis County Environmental Health Department:Individual Septic System Program:http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/publichealth/Environmental/envir_pro_septic.htm



Waste generation statistics showthat just one person producesabout 360 kilograms (800

pounds) of garbage every year1. How wedeal with our garbage can have a bigimpact on our health and our environ-ment.

ReduceSource reduction prevents waste frombeing created. It reduces the amountor toxicity of waste at the source.Because source reduction actuallyprevents the generation of waste inthe first place, it is the most prefer-able method of waste management.Source reduction includes purchasingdurable, long-lasting goods and mak-ing them last longer by repairingthem when necessary, reusing prod-ucts and packaging, and reducing theamount of packaging that is discard-ed. It is also seeking products andpackaging that are as free of toxics aspossible.

ReuseReusing items by repairing them,donating them to charity and commu-nity groups or selling them alsoreduces waste. Reusing, when possi-ble, is preferable to recycling becausethe item does not need to be reproces-sed before it can be used again.

RecycleRecycling uses waste to make newproducts. Common recyclable materi-als are glass, paper, aluminum and

steel. New technologies are making itpossible to recycle other materials aswell. Recycling has become a stan-dard practice among many residentsof the Lake Superior watershed.However, buying products that arerecyclable and actually recyclingthem is only part of the recyclingprocess. We must also buy productsmade from recycled materials.

Don't BurnBackyard burning of garbage isunnecessary, dangerous and often ille-gal in many places in the LakeSuperior watershed. Even rural house-holds have alternatives to burningtrash. In addition, burning garbagemay be a liability since open burningcan start fires (for example, 40% ofMinnesota wildfires are from carelessdebris burning). Backyard burning isalso a source of toxic chemicalsbecause trash burning creates toxicpollution. Trash burned in a burn bar-rel creates two thousand times moredioxin (a highly toxic known carcino-gen) than if that same trash wasburned at a modern municipal incin-erator. For some people, pollutantscreated by garbage burning can causerespiratory and other health problemsand it’s an un-neighborly practicesince the unpleasant odor wafts intoother properties.

Compost Home composting is a way for you tospeed up the natural process of


WasteDisposal

Cross ReferencesImproper disposal ofwastes can contaminatewells - see Wells


decomposition and return organicmaterials to the soil. Yard trimmingsand food scraps make up nearly 1/6of what the average household throwsinto the garbage..

Your local government will have moreinformation on the options in your areafor waste collection, transfer stations,landfill locations and hours, recyclingand hazardous waste collections.

Note: Most of the above text was adaptedfrom materials from Minnesota’s ConsumerHandbook to Reducing Waste and otherMinnesota Pollution Control Agency mate-rials.

1 From Netta Benazon’s 2006 Emissions Inventory 2005 for Canadian Portion of Lake Superior Basin.Lake Superior LaMP 2005. Does not include per capita waste from industrial and commercial sources.


Waste Disposal Resources[Minnesota]

Minnesota's Consumer Handbook to Reducing Wastehttp://www.moea.state.mn.us/reduce/handbook.cfm

Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance Reduce websitehttp://www.reduce.org/index.html

Don't Burn Your Garbage http://www.moea.state.mn.us/reduce/burnbarrel.cfm

Household Hazardous Waste Guidehttp://www.wlssd.com/publications/HHW%20guide.htm

If You're Burning Garbage, You're Making Poisonhttp://www.wlssd.com/Open_Burning/Backyard_Garbage_Burning.htm

How to Compost Your Organic Waste http://www.reduce.org/compost/index.html

[St. Louis County]St. Louis County Solid Waste Department (click on Departments then Solid Waste forinformation on solid waste disposal facilities and fees, recycling, hazardous waste andcomposting) http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/slcportal

St. Louis County Solid Waste Department 307 First Street South, Suite 115, Virginia, MN 557921-800-450-9278 or 218-749-9703FAX: 218-749-0650

[WLSSD Service Area]WLSSD Materials Recovery Centerhttp://www.wlssd.com/ENVPROG_files/materials_recovery_center.htm

Township recycling sheds for rural residentshttp://www.wlssd.com/ENVPROG_files/recycling_sheds.htm



Conserving energy helps you savemoney while helping electric util-ities offset their peak loads and

avoids the need to construct new powerplants or transmission facilities. It alsohelps alleviate smog, acid rain, and glob-al climate change because fewer fossilfuels such as coal and oil are burned.Conserving energy thus preserves ourplanet’s rich natural resources and pro-motes a healthy environment, in additionto cleaning the air we breathe.

But conservation isn’t about doing with-out, it’s about making informed choices.It’s about knowing how much electricityyou use, when you use it, and findingmore energy-efficient ways to maintainyour comfort and lifestyle.

Below is a list of simple actions to helpreduce energy consumption.

1. First, understand how much energyis used in your household. Yourbills from power companies, heat-ing oils, natural gas and fuel pro-vide this information.

2. In the winter, turn your thermostatsdown to 20 degrees Celsius (68degrees Fahrenheit) or below.Reduce the setting again beforegoing to sleep or when leaving forthe day.

3. In the summer, adjust your thermo-stat up a few degrees. Your housewill still feel cool without as muchair conditioning. Remember that

some thermostats can be pro-grammed so they can shift the tem-perature automatically. That way,you won’t be heating or coolingyour home when you’re not around.

4. Close shades and blinds at night toreduce the amount of heat lostthrough windows. During the day,closing your drapes will block thesun and keep your house cooler.

5. Buy Energy Star appliances, prod-ucts and lights to save between 30-50% of energy and maintenancecosts compared to a comparablenon-qualified product.

6. Avoid running large appliancessuch as washers, dryers, and elec-tric ovens during peak energydemand hours from 5:00 a.m. to9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

7. Let your clothes dry naturally out-doors on a clothesline or inside ona rack.

8. Turn off non-essential lights andappliances. The electricity generat-ed by fossil fuels for a single homeputs more carbon dioxide into theair than two average cars!

9. Have your home tested for energyefficiency. A number of excellentprograms are available to choosefrom. While most of these pro-grams come at a cost to the home-owner, their intent is to save youmoney over the longer term by pro-viding information about cost-effective, energy-efficient upgrades.

EnergyConservation

10. Once you’ve reduced the energydemand from your household, seethe “Other” section in this binderto learn about some renewableenergy options.

There are also many other areas of thehome where further energy conservationmeasures can be implemented, savingyou more money in utility bills. Theseinclude:

• well maintained heating, cooling andduct systems

• proper insulation of the basement andexterior walls

• effective weather-stripping of the home

• a water heating system which is not setat a temperature which is too high forgeneral use

• windows suitable for a cold weatherclimate but which include shades forhot summer days

• energy efficient lighting including theuse of compact fluorescent bulbs

• landscaping to provide windbreak andshade

Note: the above text was adapted frommaterials developed by Ontario PowerGeneration


Energy Conservation Resources[Minnesota]

Energy Star is a joint program between the Environmental Protection Agency and theUS Department of Energy. The purpose of the program is to allow consumers to savemoney through energy efficient appliances. Energy Star produces a variety of products,from common household appliances such as dishwashers, washers and dryers, to homeelectronics, lighting and office equipment. The site also offers guidelines to making ahome more energy efficient with tips on insulation, windows and heating and cooling.The benefits of having an Energy Star home are lower cost, environmental protectionand increased market value. The site has a guidebook to determine if a house if energyefficient. http://www.energystar.gov/

Millennium Star: Minnesota Power's Model Energy-Saving HomeMinnesota Power built the Millennium Star with the goal being to create an energy effi-cient house and to provide information to future homeowners or current homeownerslooking to remodel with energy efficiency advice. The advice is geared towards peoplewith middle class budgets, and has energy saving information ranging from the con-struction of the house, starting at the foundation, to having energy efficient appliances.http://www.mnpower.com/energyhome/project/

Energy Info Center This site offers 19 different guides with suggestions and instruc-tions to energy related issues involved in owning a home. These guides tell how tomake a home more energy efficient, from simple tasks to owning certain appliances.http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?action=doc_contentlist&subchannel=-536881511&programid=536885406&id=-536881350&agency=Commerce&sp2=y

[Cook County]The Cook County Property Owners Resource guide covers energy conservation on page10. See Appendix B of this binder or http://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/cook_pog.pdf

Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Inc. This site offers energy efficient appliancesfrom washers and dryers to electric boilers designed to cut down on the amount of ener-gy used. http://www.aecimn.com/Services.html



Wetlands are land areas that aresubmerged or permeated bywater - either permanently or

temporarily. They are characterized byplants adapted to wet soil conditions.Wetlands in the Lake Superior Basininclude marshes, wooded swamps, bogs,seasonally flooded forest, sloughs andshorelands. Essentially they are any landarea that can keep water long enough tolet wetland plants and soils develop.

Wetlands often form the link between themainland and Lake Superior. Coastalwetlands make up 10% of the LakeSuperior shore, mostly associated withprotected bays, estuaries and barrierbeach lagoons. Inland lakes and rivers inthe Basin include wetland environmentsthat support living organisms that needboth environments to survive. In the past,wetlands were considered wasteland, andmany of the Lake Superior Basin wet-lands have been adversely affected byland use practices that have destroyed orimpaired the ecological services of wet-lands. The Lake Superior BinationalProgram promotes the value of wetlandsand efforts to protect them. However,wetlands are still disappearing under thepressure of human activity, and are beingthreatened by air and water pollution andclimate change.

Wetlands serve people's basicneeds and sustain their livelihoods.Wetlands are the only ecosystem desig-nated for conservation by international

convention. They have been recognizedas particularly useful areas for ecologicalservices society needs because:

• they absorb the impact of large wavesor floods and protect shoreline areasfrom erosion;

• they filter sediments and toxic sub-stances (dirty water in, cleaner waterout);

• they supply food and essential habitatfor many species of fish, shellfish,shorebirds, waterfowl, and furbearingmammals people enjoy or dependupon;

• they also provide products for food(wild rice, cranberries, fish, wild-fowl), energy (peat, wood, charcoal),and building material (lumber);

• they are valuable recreational areasfor activities such as hunting, fishing,and bird and dragonfly watching.

Wetlands provide excellent fishand wildlife viewing opportunitiesWetlands are important to many livingorganisms. Every drop of water containsmicroscopic zooplankton, which are avital component of the food chain. Thewater’s surface and the wetland bottomare covered with insect eggs, larvae, andnymphs. Members of the fish, amphib-ian, and reptile groups are all dependenton the habitat provided by wetlands.Numerous bird and mammal speciesmake extensive use of the water and itsadjacent shores. These species can beimportant to humans economically or asindicators of environmental health.


Wetlands

Cross References• Wetlands near shorelines

may have additionalrequirements - seeShorelines

• Wetlands can enhancethe variety of plants andanimals on your property- see Habitat


How do living organisms usewetlands?Food and shelter are the primary require-ments of life including ours. Wetlandsprovide these functions for many speciesthat either live permanently within thewetland or visit periodically. Almostevery part of a wetland, from the bottomup, is important in some way. Frogs burythemselves in the muddy substrate to sur-vive the winter, and some insects usebottom debris to form a protective cover-ing. Fish swim and feed in wetlands,often eating the eggs of insects that havebeen deposited in the water. Wetlandvegetation provides nesting materials andsupport structures to several bird speciesand is a major source of food to mam-mals, even those as large as moose.Small mammals use the lush vegetationat the edge of wetlands for cover and as asource of food, and they themselves are afood source for birds of prey. Eachspecies has adapted to and depends onthe wetland and its surrounding area in aparticular way.

The Future for Wetlands As a frontier-type ecosystem, wetlandsare particularly vulnerable to climaticvariation and extreme events. Many wet-lands, are unstable to start with, and areeasily or frequently changed by erosionand flooding. As Lake Superior experi-ences low water levels some coastal wet-land perimeters dry out and plant com-munities begin to change as do theinsects, fish and wildlife. When the highwater cycle returns the area floods andreturns to wetland. These cycles can beof short or very long duration (decades).Human development in these areas isenvironmentally detrimental and a riskyinvestment.

Periods of drought and the possibility ofhotter, drier summers and the increaseduse of water for irrigation in the Lake

Superior Basin could reduce the supply ofwater for wetlands, either directly or indi-rectly (through the effect on the watertable), or both. A lower volume of waterwould increase the concentrations of thepollutants that tend to settle in wetlands(agricultural chemicals, naturally occur-ring salts, atmospheric pollutants).

Small changes in temperature or watersupply could have significant effects onwetland biota. A rise in temperaturecould allow an undesirable plant species(purple loosestrife, for example) toexpand northward. High temperaturesand low concentrations of oxygen favourthe growth of the botulism bacterium. Achange in the seasonality of precipitationcould harm plants or animals whose lifecycles require certain amounts of waterat specific times of the year. Such achange could cause a decline in a planton which waterfowl depend or interruptthe life cycle of wetland spawning fish.

Wetlands like wells are vulner-able to surface pollutantsleaching into the water table Wetlands often have very close connec-tions with the groundwater system. Somewetlands, in higher ground, may serve asimportant groundwater recharge areas.Others, especially those in low-lyingareas, may be the receptors for signifi-cant amounts of groundwater discharge.Therefore, if the underlying groundwateris contaminated, detrimental conse-quences will be felt by the wildlife andall other resources users dependent onthat wetland. (see Wells)

Note: the above text was adapted frommaterials developed by EnvironmentCanada.

(www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/nature/wetlan/e_wet.htm andwww.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/factsheets/fs_wetlands-e.html#5)

Wetland Resources[Ontario]

To understand more about the function and economic value of wetlands visit theEnvironment Canada web site athttp://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/factsheets/fs_wetlands-e.html#5 . There is an entirebranch of economics emerging that is devoted to the assessment of ecological servicesand their value.

[Minnesota][Cook County]

The Cook County Property Owners Resource guide covers wetlands on pages 14 and15. See Appendix B of this binder or http://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/cook_pog.pdf

[Lake County]The Lake County Property Owners Resource guide covers wetlands on pages 10 and11. See Appendix B of this binder or http://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/cook_pog.pdf



Living by a lake or stream is adream that many people share andfor people who are lucky enough

to live in the Northern Great Lakesregion, that dream is often easier toachieve. The Great Lakes region isblessed with thousands of lakes andstreams but building on a lakeshore ornext to a river or stream comes withresponsibilities not only to protect yourown investment but to protect our sharedwaters and resources

Many cities, townships and counties inthe Great Lakes region are enacting laws,zoning ordinances and rules designed toprotect our water resources. What kindsof hazards and issues come with shore-line property?

• Erosion of Soil due to wind andwater - Most cities, townships andcounties now have mandatory setbacksfrom the edge of water bodies in orderto avoid the affects of flooding and toprevent erosion of soil into the water.Erosion happens when the natural veg-etation, rocks or logs which hold thesoil in place are removed during con-struction or structures are built tooclose to the edge of the lake or stream.Soil erosion can affect not only theproperty where the construction hastaken place but can lead to burial offish spawning habitat and affect otherproperties far away from the site.

• Sand Dunes - Many communities arestarting to realize the importance ofprotecting sand dunes. Sand Dunesalong the Great Lakes took thousands

of years to form and are constantlychanging with the wind and forces ofweather. In addition, unique ecosys-tems have developed in areas withsand dunes. Your local ordinances mayforbid building on lakeshore sanddunes or require a setback from thecrest of the dune closest to the lake.

• Flooding - Areas near rivers streams orlakes are often prone to flooding andnot all of these areas are obvious justby looking. Flood maps are usefultools to determine if your property liesin a flood plain.

• Habitat Loss - Unique ecosystemshave developed along lake shores andstream watersheds. Removing treesand native vegetation can disrupt theseecosystems and enables invasivespecies to become established. Usingthe resources in this book can help youdecide which areas to leave alone andhow to landscape in harmony with thesurrounding ecosystem.

• Damage caused by Ice - The powerand destructive potential of ice shouldbe considered when building next to alake or stream. With the right condi-tions, wind can cause ice to pile up onthe shoreline and do serious damage tostructures built too close to the shore-line. Learn how to spot the signs ofpast ice damage.

Note: the above text was prepared by theLake Superior Lakewide Management PlanHabitat Committee.


Shorelines

Cross References• Wetlands near shorelines may

have additional requirements- see Wetlands

• Landscaping along shorelinescan help or harm waterquality - see Landscapingand Storm Water



Shoreline Resources[Michigan]North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) - NALMS was created bylake scientists from Canada, Mexico and the United States to promote education oflakes and watersheds to professional lake managers, politicians, policy makers, regula-tors, volunteer monitors, lake users, and anyone interested in lakes. The website has awide variety of information on lake management and research.www.nalms.org

Michigan Lake and Stream Associations: This is a good source for Michigan specificinformation for shoreline property owners. The MLSA was established in 1961 and ismade up of organizations, corporations, associations and individuals who share an inter-est in the use and maintenance of Michigan's WATER resources. MLSA has also pro-duced educational material that is very useful to land owners.www.mlswa.org

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality - The state agency in charge of pro-tecting Michigan's water resources is a great source of information on shoreline issues.www.michigan.gov/deq

Central Lake Superior Land Conservancy - The mission of the Central LakeSuperior Land Conservancy is to promote the protection of natural, agricultural, recre-ational, historic, and scenic lands through the use of conservation easements, land dona-tions, and education. Click on newsletter archives for useful information on protectingthe ecosystem of your land.www.clslc.org/

Superior Watershed Partnership - The mission of the Superior WatershedPartnership is to protect and improve the natural resources of the Upper Peninsula ofMichigan on a watershed basis; by promoting responsible individual and communityactions that ensure a sustainable environment, encourage a sustainable economy andhelp improve quality of life. The partnership has produced many useful educationalmaterials regarding shoreline management.www.clswp.org

[Minnesota]A Guide for Buying and Managing Shoreland: This MDNR guide provides informa-tion not only on managing shoreland property, but also on buying it. People interestedin property that has some kind of water feature should check this out before they maketheir purchase. If you already have shoreland property, this guide provides basic infor-mation to keep your property in compliance with the law and the steps you can take toimprove the property's natural values.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/shorelandmgmt/guide/evaluating.html


It is also available as a hard copy from the MDNR Information Center:DNR Information Center500 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155-4040Telephone: (651) 296-6157 or (888) 646-6367TTY: (651) 296-5484 or (800) 657-3929

DNR Central Office hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Closed holidays.

If you are requesting materials, please include a mailing address and a daytime phonenumber. E-mails are answered only during business hours.

Restore Your Shore: This CD-ROM will enable you to: • Develop a deeper understanding of shoreland ecosystems and natural shoreland man-

agement. • Discover how lakeshore problems similar to your own have been resolved through

innovative approaches. Follow four different shoreland owners' experiences as theyshare their shoreland transformation projects.

• Create your own plant list from an extensive interactive database of over 400 nativeplant species (photos included!). Select native plant species suitable for planting inyour area. Find out what to plant and what not to plant.

• Use worksheets and forms that will guide you step by step through the design andimplementation process. Watch your project unfold and enjoy the transformation thattakes place.

The CD-ROM can be purchased for $29.95 plus shipping and, in Minnesota, sales taxfrom Minnesota's Bookstore. If buying in bulk quantities, be sure to ask about dis-counted rates.

Minnesota's Bookstore660 Olive StreetSt. Paul, MN 55155tel. (651) 297-3000 Twin Cities metro or nationwide toll free (800) 657-3757TTY: (651) 282-5077 or (800) 657-3706fax. (651) 215-5733www.minnesotasbookstore.com

[Cook County]The Cook County Property Owners Resource guide covers shorelines on page 16. SeeAppendix B of this binder or http://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/cook_pog.pdf

[Lake County]The Lake County Property Owners Resource guide covers shorelines on page 12. SeeAppendix B of this binder or http://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/cook_pog.pdf

If you have areas of upland, includingfields or forests on your property, youmight be wondering what they con-

tribute to the Lake Superior basin. . .

Your land is part of an ecosystem com-prised of living things (animals andplants) that interact with their nonlivingenvironment (soil, water and geology).Ecosystems can be large - the LakeSuperior basin is an ecosystem in whichprevailing winds and water temperaturesaffect the amount of snow fall, which inturn affects the distribution of deer.Ecosystems can also be small - a smallarea near a fallen tree is an ecosystemwhere microorganisms help the treedecompose and nourish the soil. Humansand nature influence and change theseecosystems in a variety of ways. In thissection, you will find information aboutupland ecosystems - they play importantroles in providing habitat (food and shel-ter) for a variety of species, from inverte-brates that live in the soil to birds andlarge mammals like deer. How you man-age your property will affect thesespecies and the ecosystems in which theylive.

With regard to the Lake Superior basin asa whole, it is mostly forested (about88%), including conifer, hardwood andmixed forests. The character of theseforests changes from the southern to thenorthern part of the basin. On the USside of the basin, the forest is in transi-tion between boreal and deciduous foresttypes, with deciduous forest tending to

occur in richer soils and conifer forest inpoorer soils. As one moves north, theproportion of conifer species increasesuntil one reaches the boreal forestecosystem, where species like blackspruce, jack pine, aspen and white birchpredominate.

Some areas within the Basin are notforested. Most of these areas are smalland are open because of weather patternsor because of fire. The areas maintainedby fire are called Pine Barrens, and theirarea has declined dramatically sinceEuropean settlement. They provide habi-tat for grassland birds and other openhabitat species. This habitat type is ratedas globally rare.

There are other sections of this guide thatwill help you understand the importanceof shorelines, wetlands, and landscapingfor wildlife on your property.

What Kind of Forest Do I have?

The kinds of trees that will grow in aparticular area vary depending on the cli-mate, soil type, amount of water avail-able, topography, and other factors.Certain plants and animals are adapted tolive in different types of forests. Thetrees in one forest may be mostly birchand aspen, in another area spruce and firtrees may predominate. Different foresttypes are often identified by the treespecies found there.


Habitat

Cross References• Wetlands are important

habitats - see Wetlands• Shorelines are important

habitats - seeShorelines


What threats exist to forestecosystems?

There are a number of threats to forestecosystems including land use and landconversion practices, forest fragmenta-tion, invasive species and poor timberharvesting practices. There are manyresources available to help you manageforests on your property and avoid nega-tive ecosystem impacts. Some of theseresources are listed on the next page.

Invasive species such as the emerald ashborer threaten black, white and green ashtrees across the basin and, once attacked,the trees almost always die. The potentialfor spreading these insects is one reasonnever to move firewood long distances,eg from your home in the city to yourcabin in the Lake Superior basin.

Logging equipment can cause soil com-paction. Poor harvesting practices canallow soil to erode into local streams andlakes, and eliminate tree cover causingincreased water temperatures in water-ways.

What about open upland areaslike cropland or grasslands/fields?

These areas provide important habitat forspecies like Northern harriers, sharp-tailed grouse, red winged blackbirds andseveral species of sparrow. These areascan be managed in a number of differentways - from allowing them to revert toforest ecosystems, to maintenance byfire, to conventional crop production. Anumber of resources are available to helpyou assess and manage your open uplandecosystems.

Note: the above text was adapted frommaterials developed by the MichiganDepartment of Natural Resources andMinnesota Department of NaturalResources

(http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/hunt-ingwildlifehabitat/Landowners_Guide/Introduction/Ecosystems.htmandhttp://files.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/citizens_guide/citi-zensguide_chapter2.pdf)


Habitat ResourcesBackyard Woods: Arbor Day This site explains how to build a small woodland inyour backyard of about one to ten acres of land. It helps make a plan of action. Topicsinclude proper use of a chainsaw, protecting against wildfire, and identifying and takingcare of hazardous defects. It helps explain how to keep the woodland healthy, alonghow to attract wildlife. http://www.arborday.org/backyardwoods/

[Minnesota]The Minnesota DNR has a program to help landowners develop Forest StewardshipPlans by providing technical advice and long range planning to interested landowners.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/forestmgmt/stewardship.html

The Minnesota DNR Private Lands Program assists landowners in developing andmaintaining wildlife habitat on their land.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/privatelandsprogram/index.html

The Minnesota DNR’s invasive species website has links to information about terrestri-al animal and plant species as well as links to Minnesota’s invasive species regulationsand other useful information. Go to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/index.html

Sustaining Minnesota Forest Resources This guide was created for landowners, log-gers and resource managers. It goes through components of a forest such as resources,soil, wetlands and wildlife. The guidebook has different sections to forest managementspecific to each type of person. It offers resource needs, landowner objectives, sitecapabilities, existing regulations and economics of forest management.http://www.frc.state.mn.us/FMgdline/2005guidelinesbook/Complete%20FMG%20Book.pdf

Backyard Tree Care This site offers advice on planting and maintaining trees. Itexplains how certain trees should be planted certain ways in specific spot that will helpthe tree live longer with less maintenance. Health advice is also given, from protectingtrees from tent caterpillars, beetles, and gypsy moths to disease diagnostics.http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/index.html

Tree Care Handbook This handbook offers tips for before and after planting of treesand the shelter they may need to survive. It goes through specialized planting for treeswith specific uses, such as wood production, windbreakers, Christmas trees and energyconservation tips. Tree care is also given about animal depredation, insect and pestmanagement, disease, pruning and thinning, and weed control around the trees.http://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/tree_care_handbook.pdf

[Wisconsin]The Wisconsin DNR has a program that reduces property taxes on forest land enrolledin the Managed Forest Law Property Tax Program. To learn more, go tohttp://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/ftax/mflfactsheet.pdf


Wisconsin DNR has a comprehensive website on invasive species athttp://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/ and a specific site devoted to forest pests. Seehttp://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/fh/

[Michigan]Michigan provides a web site called "Caring for Private Forest Lands in Michigan" thatdetails many of the tax incentive and other forest management programs available inMichigan. Go tohttp://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-30301_30505-159665--,00.html

The Michigan DNR provides a guide to managing wildlife on your property. Link to itthrough http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12148---,00.html This comprehensive guide discusses forestland, cropland, wetland, grassland and back-yard management.


What Is Stormwater?Stormwater runoff is rain or snowmeltthat runs off the land rather than soakinginto the soil. When water picks up soiland pollutants or repeatedly runs off theland so quickly that it damages streamhabitat, we need to look at stormwaterbest management practices to protect ourwaterways. In the 1990s, we learned thatstormwater is a significant source ofnutrients and sediments to Lake Superior.

Many communities in the Lake SuperiorBasin are working on stormwater issues.But stormwater is not just an urban issue.Property owners in rural and urban areascan use best management practices tokeep stormwater clean, and protect thewaters of the Lake Superior basin.

Stormwater Runoff:Slow it Down, Keep it CleanChanges we make to the land affect thevolume and velocity of storm waterrunoff, and influence the pollutantspicked up by that water. For example,forest cover, wetlands, and naturaldrainage patterns in a watershed help toslow water runoff from the land, whichprotects streams and rivers.

Stream habitat is damaged by the powerof high volumes of water runoff hittingthe stream, causing rapid fluctuations inflow, and subsequent erosion and sedi-mentation. Slowing the flow of waterrunoff is a particular concern in areas ofthe Lake Superior basin with clay soils,where the soils and geology make the

streams susceptible to damage from rapidrunoff. Studies show that peak floods inthis area are larger today than beforeEuropean settlement, making it all themore important to slow stormwaterrunoff.

When water runs off the land, it picks upmore pollutants from developed landthan from land covered by natural vege-tation. Impervious surfaces, such asrooftops, parking lots, gravel and pavedroads do not absorb water, and rainfallruns off very quickly, picking up pollu-tants. Pollutants common in stormwaterinclude sediment, nutrients from yardwaste and fertilizer, pathogens from petwaste, detergents, pesticides, oil andgrease, and road salt. As the amount ofimpervious surfaces in a watershedincreases, the quality of the water usuallydecreases unless best management prac-tices and stormwater controls are used.

Best management practices and stormwa-ter controls are aimed at keeping pollu-tants out of stormwater, holding thewater for filtration, or encouraging thewater to infiltrate into the ground. It isvery important to maintain these controlsand minimize erosion during and afterconstruction. More than one dump truckload of soil can wash away from a oneacre construction site unless erosion con-trols are in place and maintained. It isalso important to plan how to handlestormwater after construction is complet-ed, to keep stormwater clean. In somejurisdictions, permits are required.

Stormwater

Cross References• Improper management

of stormwater can conta-minate wells - see Wells

• Landscaping is an impor-tant aspect of managingstormwater - seeLandscaping


What Can You Do?

If Your Home is in town or in thecountry:

• Keep streets, gutters, and storm drainsclean - never use them for dumping.

• Compost yard waste.• Wash vehicles at the car wash or on

your lawn. • Clean up after pets.• Keep your car in good condition - fix

leaks.• Garden for water quality: use rain

barrels, plant rain gardens, minimizefertilizers and pesticides.

• Direct downspouts away from pavedareas.

• If you live on the shoreline, plant abuffer of native vegetation.

• Consider keeping as much naturalvegetation as possible on your property.

New construction:• Contact appropriate authorities to

determine if permits or approvals areneeded.

• Develop a plan to control erosion dur-ing construction and make sure thepractices work. For example, installsilt fence properly. Consider stagingwork to minimize the amount ofexposed bare soil.

• Be sure that the erosion control mea-sures are inspected and repaired fre-quently during the construction period.

• Develop a plan to manage stormwateron your site when construction is fin-ished. Stormwater best managementpractices may include rain gardensand other infiltration systems, deten-tion ponds, grass swales, constructedwetlands, and other methods that pro-tect surface and ground water. Chooseapproaches appropriate to your site,whether it is a single home or a largerdevelopment.

• Minimize soil compaction by limitingwhere trucks and other heavy equip-ment will be driven on your property.

• Consider conservation developmentdesigns to maintain green space.

• Do not fill wetlands. Protect existingwetlands by maintaining a buffer areaof native vegetation around them.Wetlands store water on the land andprovide important habitat to manyplants and animals.

Note: the above text was prepared by theUniversity of Wisconsin Extension Service.

Stormwater Resources“Building Superior Coastal Communities” 2006. J. Schomerg, C. Hagley, D. Desotelle -University of Minnesota Sea Grant and S. O’Halloran - University of WisconsinExtension. University of Minnesota Sea Grant Product Number: WQ 4 2006. 27 pgs.

“Stormwater is not just rain! Easy ways you can prevent water pollution.” Brochure byRegional Stormwater Protection Team (Minnesota and Wisconsin). No date.

“Construction Site Erosion Control. Things you should know if you are planning a con-struction site.” Brochure by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, NorthernRegion. No date.

“Stormwater Management on Lake Superior Clays. A Best Management PracticeGuidance and Information Source.” August 2006. 11 pgs. Prepared by Sandra Schultz-Naas for Ashland Bayfield Douglas Iron County Land Conservation Departments(Wisconsin). Available at http://basineducation.uwex.edu/lakesuperior/stormwater.htm

“A Guide to Understanding the Hydrologic Condition of Wisconsin’s Lake SuperiorWatersheds.” November 2007. Prepared by Sandra Schultz-Naas for Wisconsin LakeSuperior Basin Partner Team. 35 pgs. Available athttp://basineducation.uwex.edu/lakesuperior/watershedmgmt.htm

http://runoffinfo.uwex.edu/

http://www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/




Do you enjoy watching wildlife? Ifso, you are not alone, and maywish to increase your opportuni-

ties to attract and observe wildlife onyour property.

What would you like to attractto your property?Are you interested in butterflies, hum-mingbirds, songbirds, bats, frogs ....all ofthe above or something different? One ofthe joys of landscaping for wildlife isthat you can plan your yard to attractwhat you want and learn about the ecolo-gy of those species at the same time.

What does wildlife need?There are four essential survival needsfor wildlife that you need to keep inmind while creating your landscape plan.These are critical to all life stages of ananimal and it is important to meet all ofthese needs as some species use differenthabitat types for their different lifestages. For example, frogs lay eggs in thewater, which hatch into tadpoles anddevelop into adult stages which are semi-terrestrial, and turtles which are primarilyaquatic lay their eggs in the ground awayfrom the water.

Food - needs vary by species, andchange from season to season. Usingnative species of food plants is most ben-eficial as the species in your area haveadapted to them.

Water - as important as food & criticalfor survival, a bird bath or pond is a goodstart.

Cover - for example shrubs and treesprovide protection from weather andpredators, as well as provide nesting andresting areas. Bird and bat houses arealso a nice addition. Using native speciesof cover vegetation is the best as this iswhat the wildlife species have adapted to.

Space - the area required for a species tomeet their needs for food, water & coverand raise their young. Many speciesestablish and defend territories (e.g. blue-birds) while others do not (e.g. purplemartin).

Some tips for successLimit the amount of lawnIncrease vertical layering of plants,

shrubs, treesProvide waterPlant native vegetationRemove invasive exotic plantsProvide bird/bat houses and bird feedersManage your petsReduce or eliminate use of pesticides

How do I get started?There are many resources available inprint and on-line to help you in yourlandscaping efforts. A selection is listedin the Resources section of this note.

Landscapingfor Wildlife

Cross References• Landscaping has the

potential to improve orharm wetlands, shore-lines and habitat - seeWetlands, Shorelinesand Habitat


To begin you should ask yourself a fewquestions:

What do I want to attract to my yard?

How big is my yard?What elements of habitat do I

already have in my yard?

These questions will help you begin thedevelopment of your landscape plan andthe design and placement of new plants,water features and feeders/shelters onyour property.

With a little research and planning youcan be well on your way to creating ahealthy wildlife landscape on your prop-erty.

Note: the above text was prepared by theOntario Ministry of Natural Resources.


Landscaping for Wildlife ResourcesNational Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat This site goes through thefour basic elements wildlife needs to survive in your own backyard. These are food,water, cover for places to raise young, and sustainable gardening. It mentions the bene-fits of having a wildlife habitat. It explains the types of trees that are natural to eachstate that supply food to the wildlife, as well as how to create a pond.http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/

[Minnesota]

Landscaping for Wildlife and Water Quality by Minnesota Department of NaturalResources

Woodworking for Wildlife by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources



Keepingyour familysafe frommercury

Mercury is dangerous because it’sa neurotoxin, a poisonous sub-stance that at high enough con-

centrations damages or destroys nervetissue. Young children, developing fetus-es and breast-fed babies are at most risk,because small amounts of mercury candamage a brain that is just starting toform or grow. Too much mercury mayaffect a child’s behavior and lead tolearning problems later in life. The firstsymptoms of adult mercury poisoninginclude incoordination and burning ortingling sensation in the fingers and toes.As mercury levels increase, your abilityto walk, talk, see, and hear may all beaffected in subtle ways.

Although all forms of mercury are toxicwhen taken into the body, they are notequally likely to be absorbed. For exam-ple, while liquid metallic mercury doesnot penetrate the skin rapidly, the lungsreadily absorb mercury vapor. If, on theother hand, metallic mercury is swal-lowed, the digestive system rejects it.

Once in a lake, mercury is converted tomethylmercury by bacteria. Fish absorbmethylmercury from their food. Mercuryis tightly bound to proteins in all fish tis-sue, including muscle. There is nomethod of cooking or cleaning fish thatwill reduce the amount of mercury in ameal. If you follow the fish consumptionadvisories, the amount of methylmercuryyou take into your body is safely elimi-nated between meals.

What You Can Do

Properly dispose of mercury containingproducts. Take mercury-containing prod-ucts and devices that you find in yourhome to a household hazardous wastecollection site so the mercury can berecycled.

Buy mercury free. Here are some alterna-tives to common mercury containingproducts:

• alcohol (red bulb) and digital ther-mometers;

• electronic thermostats;

• digital barometers, blood pressurecuffs, or other gauges; and

• mercury-free fishing gear (such astip-ups).

Conserve energy. Using less energy athome will not only save you money, itwill also help reduce mercury pollution.That is because coal contains traceamounts of mercury and when electricalpower plants burn coal, mercury isreleased to the atmosphere.



Keeping Your Family Safe From MercuryResources



Other


Cook County Property Owners Guide


Other Resources[Minnesota]Firewise This site addresses the risk of homes to wildfire, both in urban and ruralareas. It explains which homes are at higher risk and how to measure the fire hazard.Tips to protect a home are given, as well as tips for landscapers to reduce the risk ofwildfires. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/index.html

Indoor Air Quality AirSmart offers an interactive computer program the focuses onresidential indoor air quality. It identifies major indoor air pollutants and the healtheffects of each one, and what actions can be done to protect against them.http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK6695.html

4-H Info and Newsletters This site has all past publications released by 4-H available,along with a listing of events. They also have workshops that are educational about nat-ural resources and other environmental issues.http://www.extension.umn.edu/county/template/index.aspx?pID=1&countyID=16

[Cook County]Cook County Maps This site has detailed maps of roads, rivers and lakes. Other fea-tures of this site include contact information of getting a hold of Cook County officials.http://www.co.cook.mn.us/maps/maps.html

The Cook County Property Owners Resource guide covers zoning districts on page 4;purchasing property on page 6; fire safety on page 17; and emergency vehicle access onpage 17. See Appendix B of this binder or http://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/cook_pog.pdf

[Lake County]The Lake County Property Owners Resource guide covers zoning districts and permitson page 4; purchasing property on page 5; fire safety on page 13; and emergency vehi-cle access on page 13. See Appendix B of this binder orhttp://www.co.cook.mn.us/sw/cook_pog.pdf


4-H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

backyard wildlife habitat . . .38

casings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

coastal wetlands . . . . . . . . .22

composting . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

dioxin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

drilled wells . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

dug wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

emerald ash borer . . . . . . . .30

energy conservation . . . . . .19

Energy Star . . . . . . . . . .19, 20

energy-efficient . . . . . . . . . .19

erosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

firewood . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

groundwater recharge . . . . .23

ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

indoor air . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

invasive species . . . . . . . . . .32

maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Millennium Star . . . . . . . . . .20

native species . . . . . . . . . . .36

open burning . . . . . . . . . . .16

property taxes . . . . . . . . . . .33

sand dunes . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

sand point wells . . . . . . . . . .9

septic system . . . . . . . . . . . .13

source reduction . . . . . . . . .16

thermostat . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

upland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

wetland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

wildfire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

wildlife habitat . . . . . . . . . .32


Index


Example: Cook County Property Owners Guide

[Appendix A will differ depending on which jurisdictionthe binder is printed for]


Appendix A


Date post:	28-Sep-2020
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	1 times
Download:	0 times

Lake Superior Watershed Rural Property...

Documents