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| Joe Rush, lake biologist (file) |
That is the amount your association
saved by the attendance of approximately 25 people at Thursday
evening's bioswale meeting. I have heard $25.00 per hour and $22.50
per hour so I am not sure which is right but using the lower number
you can see the amount we can deduct from our contribution to the
bioswale project to aid in water clarity.
Digging right down to basics, here is
what this entails. Although our rules say ditches must be mowed and
kept clear of obstructions to allow water flow there will be
plantings of native vegetation across the bottom of selected ditch
areas with a width of about ten feet as a rule. This vegetation will
attain heights of anywhere from eighteen inches to five feet
depending upon the type plants used. These plants drop root systems
deeply into the soil allowing the soil to act like a sponge, soaking
up the water and filtering to remove phosphorus, nitrogen, and silt
before it makes it to our lake. Grass as is used in yards has shallow
roots that only penetrate about four inches, limiting the filtration.
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| Sample bioswale |
This will only be in specific designated areas where runoff is
concentrated just before it hits our lake, so this will not be all
over our community. Although it is hoped as this progresses some of
those that own land that is applicable will join in but the initial
phase will be on association owned land.
We will be starting with 10,000
square feet of bioswale. That may sound like a lot but it is only
twenty areas that measure ten wide and fifty feet long. Plugs will be
used so we will see almost immediate coverage of the new planting
areas. The plugs will be one per square foot. Yes, this is expensive
but the grants and volunteer hours will help a lot and don't forget
the alum treatment cost a year ago that cleared our lake. We are
hoping to build on our current lake quality and maintain that with
this plan.
Volunteers will be needed to help
with the planting of the plugs. This should start next spring and it
would be great if we can find scout groups, church groups, any young
folks who can work on their knees planting. Young people who must do
community service before high school graduation would be a natural
source of labor.
Take a look at Firefly bay to see how
beautiful these areas on natural plants can look. Consider joining in
and helping with this worthwhile project.
Ken