Oneida County Land and Water Conservation has received grant money to help shoreland landowners preserve their shorelines and in so doing help preserve water quality.
County Conservationist Michele Sadauskas says the grant is for $40,000 from the Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection for lakeshore restoration projects.
The property owner partner with the county to preserve up to 35 feet from the shoreline....
"....our number one goal is water quality. Our cost-shard process is where we have state monies we share with homeowners. The homeowners will pay some of the costs and the cost share monies help out. As I said, our number one goal is water quality which is so very important here in the Northwoods...."
While homeowners at times will mow their fronts to the waterline, experts say a small buffer of natural vegetation will help preserve water quality.
Sadauskas says the grant will help facilitate the work...
"...there's a lot of different practices. We help with rip-rap, native plantings, rain gardens...we really like to focus on native plantings. Rain gardens are great to slow the flow of water from upland into our lakes. Those monies are available to help with those types of projects...."
Landowner must sign a 10 year contract to keep installed practices on the landscape.
Sadauskas says photos of recent projects are on the department's website. We have a linkhere.
