Are You a Lake Steward? 
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Do you use broadcast fertilizer and/or broadcast pesticides such as lawn chemicals, weed killers or mosquito abatement foggers?

Tip: We highly recommend no broadcast spraying of pesticides or insecticides. Please be kind to pollinators.
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Do you maintain your septic system according to best management practices, such as pumping every 1-3 years?

Tip: Leaking or damaged septic systems are one of the largest sources of pollution of our lakes. If you are unsure, learn how your system works and how often it needs to be pumped, so that you can keep waste out of the lake.
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Is stormwater runoff getting to the lake from your driveway, roof, pathways, patios or other hard surfaces?

Tip: If you go outside during a heavy rain, you will be able to see where the stormwater pools. Rain gardens, usually placed near a source of runoff such as a roof downspout, can collect water during heavy rains so that the runoff can infiltrate the ground.
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Do you leave pet waste, ashes from a fire pit or piles of leaves on your lakeshore where they may wash into the lake, thus contributing to algae blooms?

Tip: If you have a fire pit, please remove it from the shoreline buffer zone (within 50 ft of the lake) and take care that the ashes cannot enter the lake.
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Do you allow wooden structures such as dead trees to remain in the lake where they have fallen?

Tip: Fallen wooden structures like trees and tree branches provide habitat structures for wildlife.
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If you store boats, docks, lifts or other equipment on shore, do you minimize the amount of space they take up by stacking or elevating on blocks?
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Presence of Riprap - (stones assembled on a lakeshore in an attempt to prevent erosion)

Tip: Native plants growing in riprap, because of their deep roots, protect the lake from runoff and provide habitat, but they also protect a lakeshore owner’s property against wave action caused by boats or by wind.
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Do you remove aquatic plants by pulling, smothering with barriers, mechanical devices or chemicals? (Aquatic Zone - water's edge to deep end of weed bed)

Tip: As with plants in riprap, aquatic plants protect your shoreline, as well as provide habitat. It is acceptable for Lake Stewards to remove the least amount of plants that will allow you to enjoy your lakeshore for swimming or boating.
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What percentage of the buffer is un-mowed and/or includes native grasses, plants, trees, or shrubs?

Tip: A lush Shoreline Buffer Zone of native plants prevents harmful runoff of silt and nutrients from entering the lake. The deeper and more extensive the buffer zone, the better it protects lake water quality. If you have an especially deep or diverse buffer zone, thank you! And if not, you can easily build a protective buffer zone by starting small….just stop mowing.
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What percentage of the Upland Zone includes trees, shrubs, and natural ground cover?

Tip: The Upland Zone, especially because it tends to be larger in area than the buffer zone, can be very protective of the lake while also creating biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
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Name 
(First and Last) 
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Email 

This will be used to send you the results of your quiz, and provide additional information on protecting shoreline health in Minnesota.
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Phone Number 

This may be used by our Lake Steward Volunteers from your lake association if you would like to set up a site visit of your property to earn a Lake Steward Award for shoreline protection.
Lake Association 

The listed Lake Associations are current participants in the Lake Steward Program - if you do not see your lake association but know you have one, select 'I don't see my Lake Association listed'. If you don't have one, select 'I don't have a lake association'. An MLR representative will reach out to you shortly!
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