Greenbelts are common in urban planning these days. They provide a zone to protect nature from human development.
For MAPS’ purposes, a Greenbelt is a designated strip or area of land that creates a buffer zone between the water’s edge and property and land development. Greenbelts prevent chemicals, such as lawn fertilizer, and other types of run-off from reaching the lake. Greenbelts ensure the water quality of the lake and protects the lake’s ecosystem.
During the summer of 2016, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council conducted a shoreline survey of Mullett Lake. Surveys were designed to replicate a 2008 shoreline survey, documenting conditions that can impact water quality, including the three biggest threats to inland lakes: nutrient pollution, habitat loss, and shoreline erosion. With funding from the Mullett Lake Area Preservation Society (MAPS), this assessment was conducted on a parcel by parcel basis. Within the Mullett Lake Watershed, shoreline properties have the greatest potential to impact Mullett Lake water quality. Survey results indicate that human activity along Mullett Lake shoreline is likely impacting the lake ecosystem and water quality.
For the full 2016 Mullett Lake Shoreline Survey Report, click here.
Kind regards,
Mullett Lake Area Preservation Society
Greenbelts are a natural buffer of native vegetation between the water’s edge and your lawn that helps to reduce erosion by stabilizing the soil, filtering nutrients and other pollution. Greenbelts can also deter geese who prefer well-manicured lawns and unrestricted access to the water.
Greenbelts, i.e. strips of native vegetation, were characterized based on the length of shoreline they occupied, and the depth (in feet) that they extended from the shoreline landward into the parcel. Ratings for length ranged from zero to four while depth ranged from zero to three. Overall scores were based on the categorizations in Table 8.
Erosion introduces sediments and excess nutrients attached to soil particles. An abnormal increase in sediments can clog the gills of fish, macroinvertebrates, and degrade habitat including fish spawning grounds. Increased nutrients can cause algal blooms that degrade lake water quality.
Cladophora is an algae that grows as a film and in later growth stages as filaments on hard substrate near the shoreline. Increased nutrients, such as phosphorus from failing septic systems, enhance Cladophora growth to abnormal levels. Monitoring Cladophora serves as a useful bio-indicator of changes to nutrient inputs near the shoreline.
