articles from November, 2005 newsletter:
 back to table of contents
President's Message
After an inauspicious start to our fishing season
weather-wise, we've had a great summer; some might
even say one of the hottest summers in many years.
Generally, the fishing reports have been good to
excellent. Unfortunately, like many of us who live on
the lake, I failed to do as much fishing as I would
have liked. Other activities seem to take precedence
too often! But you can't beat the feeling one gets
waking up in the morning and looking out over this
great lake we call home. It's priceless!
There is not much new to report about the
MINNTAC Tailings water discharge proposal. The final
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been
published and will be presented to the MPCA Citizens
Advisory Board on November 22, 2005, in St. Paul. As
I understand, there will be public input at that meeting,
and written comments to the MPCA will still be
accepted for the record in case anyone wishes to do
so.
Sorry to say that U.S. Steel's "3 Bays on Vermilion"
proposal has been submitted to the St. Louis
County Board of Commissioners and was allowed to
drop the option "C" imposed by the Planning Commission.
We will continue to monitor the status and press
for the development to follow the rules to protect the
lake.
Our "Invasive Species" boat inspections have
taken on greater urgency now that zebra mussels
have been found in the Mississippi River and a lake
north of Brainerd. I'm of the opinion that we need to
start including resorts in our inspections. We need to
emphasize the education aspect to get the users of
Lake Vermilion to help by spreading the word and by
taking time to police their own and friends' boats prior
to launch and after loading on their trailer. In other
words we need to expand our efforts!
At our annual meeting last August, Ray Harris, Dale
Lundblad, Bob Wilson and Cathy Raps were all
re-elected to another three-year term on the Board of
Directors. I am especially pleased to be working with
them and drawing on their expertise to make my job so
interesting! Thank you all for accepting these important
positions. Also, our annual meeting was one that will be
remembered for some time because of the special
financial report given by Bob Wilson and troupe! My
joke couldn't come close to matching their performance.
Speaking of performance, we have formed a committee
to look into improving the format and agenda of the
annual meeting with the intent of increasing attendance.
If you missed last summer's annual meeting, I want to
urge you to attend next year's to see if we can top last
year's. With that in mind please feel free to offer suggestions
as to format, content and participants, and
submit them to one of the Board members. We will
consider all inputs.
It appears the DNR proposed slot limit and daily
limits changes for Lake Vermilion have completed all the
hurdles and will be implemented in May 2006. We will
have more on this next winter when the new rules are
published.
The Lake Vermilion Management Plan is still wending
its way through the St. Louis County Planning
Commission on its way to the St. Louis County Commissioners.
It has stirred up some controversy in the past
couple of months which has resulted in some good
questions being raised and with the opportunity to
educate more people on the exact nature of the plan.
We, the Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion, have a
vested interest in this Management Plan since the SCLV
was the catalyst that triggered the Lake Assessment by
the MPCA and subsequently the seed money for
generating the plan. I urge all to read and understand
the plan!
I want to wish you all a great Holiday Season and
good ice fishing (or other fishing)!
Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion President,
Walt Moe
back to table of contents
Getting Ready for Ice Fishing
At this time of year most fishermen are busy storing
their gear and preparing their boats and motors for the
long winter ahead. Some may take time to reflect on the
season past and refish some of the most enjoyable
times. They may smile when they think about the great
times they spent fishing with family and friends, the
funny and sad things that may or may not have happened,
the big one that may or may not have gotten
away. They may even be shedding a little tear when
they remember the warm sunny days they spent on
beautiful Lake Vermilion pursuing the wily walleye and
knowing that we will have many months of ice and cold
ahead. So much for the fair weather fisherman.
There is an elite group of us out there who don't
have time for tear shedding. We have a lot of
"work" to do to get ready for the second season.
The fishing season without mosquitoes or black
flies; the season that is the filler between deer
hunting and ice out; the season that gives us an
opportunity and a reason to get out and enjoy the
great outdoors; the season that shortens the long
northern winter - ice fishing.
We are anxiously pulling gear out of storage, taking
the reels off our summer rods and putting them on
our shorter jigging poles, replacing the line on our tip-ups,
making sure our augers are sharp, and charging
the batteries on our depth finder and cameras. If we
are the type who fish from permanent shelters, we
are making sure that the floor isn't rotten and the roof
doesn't leak. If our shelters are portable, a quick
check of the canvas is necessary to make sure the
mice and/or squirrels didn't chew holes in it over the
summer. We have to make sure that stoves are
working and that our propane tanks are filled. We
make trips to our local sporting good shops to find
out if they have removed the unsold hunting gear and
replaced it with ice fishing "stuff" yet. Many hours are
spent paging through the Cabela's and Bass Pro
Shop fishing bibles. We order enough "have-to-have"
stuff to fill another tackle box. So much to do and so little
time. I hope I get my Buck early this year.
With preparation completed, except the last- minute variety, of course, I
begin to wonder when there will be enough ice to fish safely. Four inches of
good ice will support a person on foot. I prefer six. Maybe Rick should start a
calendar to predict when ice fishing will start. He already has one for when it will end.
Good Fishing!
Joe Panichi
back to table of contents
'INVASIVE SPECIES'? (Submitted by Bob Wilson)
rusty crayfish: a nasty invader
biology, identification, and impacts
rusty crayfish factsheet
(Part One)
by Jeffrey Gunderson
OVERVIEW
Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) have invaded portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario, and many other areas. Although native
to parts of some Great Lakes states, rusty crayfish have spread to many northern lakes and streams where they cause a variety of
ecological problems.
Rusty crayfish were probably spread by non-resident anglers who brought them north to use as fishing bait. As rusty crayfish populations
increased, they were harvested for the regional bait market and for biological supply companies. Such activities probably helped
spread the species further. Invading rusty crayfish frequently displace native crayfish, reduce the amount and kinds of aquatic plants
and invertebrates, and reduce some fish populations. Environmentally-sound ways to eradicate or control introduced populations of
rusty crayfish have not been developed, and none are likely in the near future. The best way to prevent further ecological problems is to
prevent or slow their spread into new waters.
ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION
There are over 350 species of crayfish in North America. Sixty-five of these species, including rusty crayfish, belong to the genus
Orconectes. Rusty crayfish are thought to be native to the Ohio River Basin and the states of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and
Illinois. But, now rusty crayfish are also found in Michigan, Massachusetts, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, all New England states except Rhode Island, and many areas in Ontario, Canada. The expanded range
includes new sightings and observations that are both published and unpublished.
Rusty crayfish were not found in Wisconsin in a 1932
survey, but populations have rapidly expanded throughout
Wisconsin lakes and streams since their introduction
around 1960 (Capelli and Magnuson 1983). The first
observation of rusty crayfish in Minnesota was in 1967 at
Otter Creek in southern Minnesota. A statewide study
(Helgen 1990) reported their presence in many areas. So
far, they have been found in 11 counties and 31 different
lakes and streams.
Rusty crayfish populations found in southern Minnesota
(Des Moines and Cedar River basins) and east central
Minnesota (St. Croix River and tributaries) may have
resulted from the natural dispersal of introduced populations
from Wisconsin and Iowa. Rusty crayfish populations
in the rest of Minnesota, however, were probably spread
there by people.
Although there is no direct evidence, it is thought that
people can spread crayfish in several different ways.
Anglers using crayfish as bait are thought to be the
primary cause. While crayfish never were a significant
component of Minnesota live bait sales, they are popular in
other states and may have been brought in by non-resident
anglers. Rusty crayfish are also sold to schools by biological
supply houses. Even though a warning not to release
rusty crayfish into the wild accompanies crayfish sold to
schools, such warnings may be forgotten, or live crayfish
may be given away to students. Crayfish from schools or
collected from the wild and placed in home aquariums may
eventually be released. Developing a viable commercial
harvest of rusty crayfish from natural lakes could be
incentive for unscrupulous trappers to plant them in other
waters. In fact, this may have contributed to the spread of
rusty crayfish in Wisconsin, according to Wisconsin DNR
Fisheries Manager, Harland Carison (per. comm. 1994).
The harvest of rusty crayfish for food and bait may
provide the only beneficial use for this exotic. Harvest for
bait has been going on for over 30 years in Wisconsin.
Commercial harvest for food is more recent and varies
from year to year in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Regulations in both Minnesota and Wisconsin now make
it illegal to introduce rusty crayfish into any waters. In
Minnesota, it is illegal to sell live crayfish as bait and a
Department of Natural Resources permit is required to
commercially harvest or culture crayfish.
LIFE HISTORY
Rusty crayfish inhabit lakes, ponds, and streams. They
prefer areas that oiler rocks, logs, or other debris as
cover. Bottom types may be clay, silt, sand, gravel, or
rock. Rusty crayfish inhabit both pools and fast water
areas of streams. They generally do not dig burrows other
than small pockets under rocks and other debris, although
there have been reports of more substantial burrows.
Unlike some species (such as the papershell crayfish, 0.
immunis) which dig burrows to escape ponds that are
drying up or becoming inhospitable, rusty crayfish need
permanent lakes or streams that provide suitable water
quality year-round.
Mature rusty crayfish mate in late summer, early fall, or early
spring. The male transfers sperm to the female,
which she then stores until her eggs are ready to
fertilize, typically in the spring (late April or May) as water
temperatures begin to increase. The stored sperm are released
as eggs are expelled and external fertilization occurs. The
eggs are then attached to the swimmerets on the underside
of the crayfish's abdomen ("tail section"). Just prior to egg
laying, white patches appear on the underside of the
abdomen ("tail section"), especially on the tail fan. These white patches are glair, a mucus-like substance
secreted during egg fertilization and attachment. Rusty
crayfish females lay from 80 to 575 eggs.
Eggs hatch in three to six weeks, depending on water
temperature. Once hatched, young crayfish cling to the
female's swimmerets for three to four molts (molting is
when crayfish shed their old shell to allow growth). Young
crayfish may stay with the female for several weeks. She
offers them protection during this vulnerable life stage.
Eventually, the young leave the female. They undergo
eight to ten molts before they mature, which may occur
during the first year, but more likely the following year.
Rusty crayfish reach maturity at a total length of one and
three-eighths inches and reach a maximum length about
four inches (not including claws). They averaged two and
one-half inches in Wisconsin collections (Hobbs and Jass
1988).
It is important to note that it is not necessary to have both
a male and a female crayfish to begin a new infestation.
One female carrying viable sperm could begin a new
population if released into a suitable environment. Rusty
crayfish readily mate in captivity so it is reasonable to
expect that mature females, whether used as fishing bait or
as science class study specimens, could produce offspring.
Growth slows considerably after crayfish reach maturity.
While mature males molt twice per year, females usually
only molt once. Females molt after the release of their
young, typically in June or early July. In the spring, males
will molt into a sexually-inactive form (called Form II)
and then molt back into the reproductively-competent form
(Form I) in summer. Form I males are characterized by
large claws, a hook on one pair of their legs (Figure 2), and
hardened gonapods. The hook and the larger claws are
used for grasping females during mating. Because males
have an additional molt each year, they are usually larger
than females of the same age. A typical rusty crayfish lives
three to four years.
Look for Part Two of Rusty Crayfish Factsheet
in the next issue of The Vermilion Sportsman
back to table of contents
Little Girl ... by Mardy Jackson
Here's a story with an unusual twist to it. Most of us
throughout our lifetime have had a pet of one kind or
another and had the option of choosing this pet.
My neighbors, Jack and Lois Mausolf have a black
cat which they chose and another pet that chose them
two summers ago. Would you believe - a female ruffed
grouse!
It seemed to have started when Jack drove his four-wheeler
up the long, steep driveway to get his mail. All
along the way he noticed this grouse running along the
ditch just behind him Ditto on the return down.
Same routine the next few days, so they started
leaving corn out for it. The grouse wouldn't eat the corn that was tossed in the grass, but only
the corn that spilled on the blacktop driveway. Then something startled the grouse and it
fanned its feathers. Lois noted the colors and looked it up in the bird book.
She discovered the black band denoted a female; the
male also having a red splotch by the eyes, which was
absent in "their" grouse. Yes, "their grouse." They
named her Little Girl and the adoption was complete.
A certain pan was designated for Little Girl's corn,
which Lois or Jack would rattle to call her, and she'd
come running from wherever she was. The next advancement in this domestic scene was just calling,
"Little Girl," and she'd come running and eat the corn
from the pan that was held out to her. At this juncture,
she was a regular fixture in the yard and would follow
Jack wherever he went. Many times after Jack came
back down with the mail, he'd sit at the picnic table to
read the newspaper, accompanied by Little Girl. Every
once in awhile she would jealously hop on the paper to
get his attention.
The day came when Jack and Lois decided to reroof the guest house. They were laying shingles on the
roof and guess who joined them? Little Girl flew up on
the roof to keep them company for the entire day.
There were times when Jack would get off his four-wheeler and Little Girl would peck at his ankles as if she
wanted him to get back on it so she could continue the chase.
She had a mind of her own and didn't mind showing
it. Jack and Lois would get in their vehicle to take off
and Little Girl would run back and forth right in front of
the wheels, trying to prevent them from leaving. It was a
slow drive up for fear of hitting her. At the top of the driveway she'd give it up as a lost cause.
Fall came and Jack and Lois feared for what would happen to Little Girl while they were gone for the
winter. I promised I would feed her her corn. But she never took any that I left out for her; in fact, I
didn't see her at all (hat winter. I feared for her survival and thought I'd failed survival and thought I'd failed
my neighbors. Until spring - I was so relieved.
My friend Dick and I spotted her many times near
my driveway and by my guest house. One day early in
the spring, Dick was helping me do some outdoor
cleanup chores. Little Girl joined us, almost getting
underfoot. We needed a tool and I said I'd go get it from
the workshop. As shuffled through the leaves, I heard
someone shuffling right behind me. I thought it was Dick
and turned to say that I'd get the tool, but it was Little
Girl right on my heels, almost tripping me.
A few days later we were making a run to the dump.
Little Girl was up to her old tricks. She ran back and
forth in front of our wheels. I got out and motioned to
Dick everytime he could gain a foot or two. This was
getting old, so I decided to try to shoo her into the
woods. Well, she scared the living daylights out of me!
She plumped up her neck feathers, fanned her tail and
stared at me. Dick took this opportunity to dash off to
the dump and sat down at the side of the driveway to
wait for him. Then I thought, "Well, this is dumb!" We'll
just have to go through the whole "dodge her deal" all
the way down. Earlier I mentioned this grouse has a
personality all her own and I can verify she has a mean
streak. As I walked (hopped?) all the way back down my
driveway, she kept pecking at my ankles. Boy, what a
grouse! It hurt too!
A few days later the Mausolfs returned and Little
Girl returned to where she belonged. The first half of the
summer was "business as usual," although Jack and
Lois thought she was exemplifying a pronounced mean
streak. I, of course, had not a clue as to what might
have brought that on.
It seemed a pine marten pair moved into the
Mausolfs' property. One day Lois saw Little Girl take off
in flight and there was the pine marten. Lois also saw
one heading for the woods with a piece of insulation in
her mouth. They saw very little of Little Girl and then not
at all for over a week. Did the pine marten get her? Did
Little Girl move on? We'll wait and see if Little Girl
returns in the spring.
back to table of contents
VENISON JERKY
|
By Mel Hintz, SCLV Board Member
Another deer season has rolled around and odds are you
have a new supply of venison from this season's successful hunt.
Thanks to several mild winters in succession resulting in two
deer limits permitted in many areas, you may end up with more
venison than you know what to do with. One option for using
this meat is to turn it into a batch or two of tasty jerky.
Now I am a long way from being an expert jerky maker
having to date made just five batches. However, the process is
extremely simple and the results have been excellent judging
by the reviews from family members and friends. Further, I look
forward to having jerky as a nutritious treat for those winter
snowmobile trips for lake trout.
The equipment and ingredients needed to prepare a batch
of jerky include: a food dehydrator, ajerky gun, jerky spice kit,
a roll of paper towel, and three pounds of venison burger. Cost
wise, a four tray dehydrator with adjustable temperature settings
runs about $50, the jerky gun $lO-12, spices $2/batch,
and, of course, the venison is free though my wife has a different
opinion on this issue.
Here is the procedure I use to prepare a batch of jerky:
Blend one package each of jerky cure and seasoning with
one pound of lean burger. Refrigerate overnight in a
tightly closed container as the jerky spices have a strong odor.
For this step, I prepare three pounds of meat which fills my
four-tray dehydrator to capacity.
Use a jerky gun to load each dehydrator tray with ribbon-like
strips of seasoned meat. This is the most tedious part of the
process, but with a little practice it is much like becoming proficient
in the use of a caulking gun.
Dry jerky at the dehydrator's highest temperature for 1-2
hours. Pat jerky with paper towel to remove the surface oil rolling
each piece over so the oil is removed from both sides. Repeat
this process at 1-2 hour intervals until the jerky is leathery,
normally about 7-8 hours. I recommend that you do the drying
in the garage with the doors open unless you want the kitchen
to take on the odor of a meat market. No point in taking any
risks that you may upset your wife who already takes exception
with the notion that "venison is free."
When removing jerky from the dehydrator, wrap in paper
towels for a couple hours to absorb any excess oil. Refrigerate
in sealable plastic bags or freeze for later use. Vacuum seal to
extend storage time.
* Important note: health experts advise that game meats
must be frozen at least 30 days at zero degrees Fahrenheit before
drying to kill any parasites that may be present.
back to table of contents
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - DAM REPAIRED
By John Zwieg
On Wednesday, October 19, repairs were made on
the cracks and voids of the Vermilion Outlet Dam. During
the past three years the Sportsmen's Club has been working
with the DNR trying to see if something could be done
to repair the voids in the dam that were allowing water to
flow under it.
The DNA sent out Dana Gauthier, dam specialist with
the waters division, and he made several inspections and
found that there were voids in the toe of the dam. There
was also some breaking away of concrete on the west
end of the dam. The DNR did some tests to determine
how much water was actually flowing under the dam and
came up with a calculation of 17 cubic feet per second.
This amount of seepage would have little impact on lake
elevation according to the DNR. However, they were concerned
that repairs were needed to make the dam more
"watertight" and be sure that it was structurally strong in
case winter ice got caught in the voids of the dam.
With the urging of the Sportsmen's Club and help from
State Senator Tom Bakk, who got special funding from
the Legislature, the project got on schedule to be done
this fall. Geoff Griffin, an engineer and CEO of GGG, did
the specs that were needed to make the repairs. On October
19, Geoff and a few workers from the DNR brought
in a cement pumper truck with a 140-ft. boom. They also
had about 60 feet of soft hose from the boom that allowed
them to get under water and into the voids of the dam.
With the use of special polymers in the concrete, they were
able to fill the holes and have it set up before it could flow
through the dam. Seventeen yards of concrete were used
to get the job done. Geoff reported that there were more
voids than anticipated, one being three feet by three feet
and 20 feet long.
Now that the work has been done, we can be sure
that the dam is in better condition and that less water is
flowing through and under it.
back to table of contents
How Would the Vermilion Plan Affect You?
(Reprinted with permission of The Timberjay Newspaper)
Editor's Note: In recent months, many people have complained
that they don't understand all of the provisions in
the proposed Lake Vermilion Management Plan. That's
probably not surprising, given that the language in such
plans can be complicated and overly-technical. In an effort
to make the plan easier to understand, we have developed
five real-life scenarios and the St. Louis County
Planning Department has helpfully explained how the property
owners in each case might be affected. We edited
the county responses slightly in some cases, for clarity. If
readers have other possible scenarios that they would like
answers to, contact Marshall Heimberger at 753-2950.
Scenario 1:
A couple purchased 5 acres and 500 front feet in 1999,
hoping to subdivide it at a later point to provide a neighboring
cabin lot for their children. If they are located in a
high or moderate density portion of the lake will the plan
make any difference to them? If they are located in a low
density portion of the lake, how will the plan affect them?
Can they avoid impact by subdividing prior to implementation
of the plan? Will there be a variance process they
could pursue? What other options might they have? Could
they build a separate cabin or bunkhouse on the additional
property, without subdividing it?
Answer: Each new lot must meet the existing minimum
dimensional standards of Ordinance 46, (the zoning ordinance)
or Ordinance 55, (the individual sewage treatment
system ordinance), whichever is more restrictive, at the
time the lot is created. If the county board adopts the Vermilion
Plan, it is likely that they will also adopt new zoning
maps for the area that reflect the intent of the plan and set
a date for the implementation of the change. For this scenario,
the five acre lot could not be split if it is located in a
low density area but may be divided in a moderate or high
density area. Variance is not likely to be granted to allow
the creation of a non-conforming lot because the applicant
would not be able to demonstrate a hardship specific
to the property as required by state statute. A bunkhouse
no pressurized water) is allowed as an accessory structure,
and will continue to be, but two homes or cabins may
only be permitted on a parcel that meets twice the minimum
dimensional standards required for the zone district.
Scenario 2:
A homeowner is located on a 0.45 acre lot with 75 feet of
lake frontage, which is currently considered non-conforming.
If damage occurs to their sauna, located by the lake,
can they currently rebuild it? Would the Vermilion Plan
change their rights in any way?
Answer: An accessory structure, such as a sauna, is currently
allowed on a nonconforming lot, and that will not
change under the Vermilion Plan. The sauna could be
rebuilt without a variance provided it does not exceed
current zoning standards.
Scenario 3:
An individual recently purchased a 2.8 acre lot on Pine
Island and wants to begin construction of a lake cabin. If
the Vermilion Plan is in effect, what restrictions will it place
on the use of heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, on
lake property. Are those restrictions any different from
current regulations?
Answer: The proposed Vermilion Plan provides guidance
regarding erosion control and removing vegetation from
the shore impact zone but does not prohibit the use of
heavy equipment. Shore impact zone requirements under
the proposed plan are the same as the existing ordinance.
Scenario 4:
A couple's cabin, which was built in 1944, is located 55
feet from the lake. They decide they want to rebuild it to
provide more room, but they want to use the existing
foundation and keep their setback at 55 feet. What can
they do under current law? What could they do under
the Vermilion Plan?
Answer: In the proposed Lake Vermilior Plan, the formula
for expanding nonconformities is the same as in the
current ordinance, so it is possible that an addition to the
rear or to the side would be permitted without a variance.
However, mitigation measures would be imposed. The plan
discourages the granting of variances for significant additions
under these circumstances.
Scenario 5:
A resort owner decides to convert to a planned unit development.
The resort is currently zoned SMU and will continue to be under
the current draft of the Vermilion Plan.
How would the Vermilion Plan affect the process or rights
of a resort owner wishing to convert a resort?
Answer: The sale of individual resort units typically requires
creation of a common interest community. The Planning Commission
intends to have further discussions on
this area of the plan. The original proposal submitted by
the citizen steering committee would make this substantially more difficult to do.
back to table of contents
NEW SHORE LUNCH SITE DEDICATED
This is our newest DAY USE picnic site, located in Bystrom
Bay. The site was funded through the generosity of TIM
FLANAGAN'S wife, Ann, and children, Pierce, Julie, Heather
and Lindsay, and friends, all of whom have donated funds for
the dock at the site, in memory of TIM.
Tim loved Lake Vermilion and his family continues that
love and have a summer home in Birch Narrows. They continue
to spend as much time as possible on the lake and wanted
to provide something lasting in his memory - something that
they and other people can enjoy for years to come.
Enjoy using this new site and please be considerate and do
not litter so it will be clean for the next party to enjoy.
The U.S. FOREST SERVICE has cooperated with THE
SPORTSMEN'S CLUB OF LAKE VERMILION and USES.
has provided the picnic table, fire ring, and latrine, as the site is
on U.S.F.S. land.
The GPS numbers are: N. 47.54.526 and W.92.23.127
The Flanagans would also like to thank Eagle Docks for
lifting the dock in the fall and putting it down in the spring.
Eagle Docks donates maintenance costs for all of our day use
picnic site docks, including this new site on Bystrom Bay.
back to table of contents
Home Management Ideas to Improve Septic System Performance:
This article is reprinted from the "Septic System Owner's Guide," a 2004 publication
of the University of Minnesota Extension Service.
Bathroom
- Install a low-flow toilet. Well-designed units give a complete flush with 11/2 gallons per
flush. Caution: displacing water with bricks or water bottles in old toilet tanks often
gives less than a total flush and dissolving bricks can cause leaking problems.
- Repair leaky faucets and toilets immediately.
- Flush toilets less often. In many cases, the toilet can be used several times for liquid
waste before flushing.
- Do not use "every flush" toilet bowl disinfectants that are placed in the tank or bowl.
- Do not flush facial tissues, paper towels, cigarette butts, condoms, or personal hygiene
products down the toilet.
- Do not dispose of unwanted prescription or over the counter medications in the septic
system.
- Limit use of antibacterial soap.
- Use moderate amounts of toilet paper. Toilet paper should break up easily in water.
- Install low-flow showerheads, hand held showers with pause control, and temperature
balance valve controls.
- Take short to moderate length showers instead of tub baths. Showers use less water
than tub baths (5 gallons or more per inch in tub).
- Take shorter showers.
- Shut off water in the shower while lathering and shampooing.
- Do not run the hot water in the shower to warm the bathroom.
- Reduce use of drain cleaners by minimizing the amount of hair that goes down the
drain.
- Shut off water while shaving and brushing teeth (save up to 5 gallons per minute).
- Fill basin to wash hands instead of washing under running water.
- Reduce use of cleaners by doing more scrubbing with less cleanser.
Kitchen
- Install low-flow faucets.
- Repair leaky faucets.
- Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap every time
to get cool water.
- Hand wash dishes in the basin instead of under running water.
- Limit use of antibacterial soap.
- Wash only full loads in the dishwasher.
- Install low-water-use dishwasher; use liquid detergent in the dishwasher.
- Use low-phosphate (0 to 5%) dishwasher soaps.
- Use the minimum amount of soap necessary to do the job. This is often less than
suggested by manufacturers.
- Do not use a garbage disposal or dispose of vegetables, meat, fat, oil, coffee grounds
and other undigested food products in the septic system. (Use composting or garbage
service.)
- Reduce the use of drain cleaners by minimizing the amount of grease and food
particles that go down the drain.
- Use minimal amounts of mild cleaners, as needed only.
- When using drinking water treatment devices, be sure there is a shutoff valve so the
system doesn't run continuously when the reservoir is full. Some units may reject up to
8 gallons for every gallon retained.
Laundry
- Select a front-loading washing machine which may use 40 to 65% less water.
- Use a water/suds-saving, top-loading washing machine to reduce water and
detergent use.
- Wash only full loads. Adjust load level settings for small loads.
- Distribute wash loads evenly throughout the week to avoid overloading the system
with large volumes of water in a short period of time.
- Install filter on washer to remove lint.
- Use laundry detergents that do not contain phosphates or bleaches.
- Use the minimum amount of detergent or bleach necessary to do the job. This is often
less than suggested by manufacturers.
- Use liquid detergents (powdered detergents may add fine particles to the sludge
accumulation).
- Use highly biodegradable powdered detergents if liquid detergents are undesirable.
Basement and Utility Rooms
- Install a water meter to monitor water usage.
- Reroute the water softener and iron filter recharge water outside the septic system. It
does not need to be treated.
- Recharge the water softener as infrequently as possible to reduce water use.
- Route chlorine-treated water from swimming pools and hot tubs outside of septic
system and away from drainfield.
- Route roof drains and basement drainage tile water (sump pumps) outside of septic
system and away from the drainfield.
- Dispose of all solvents, paints, antifreeze, and chemicals through local recycling and
hazardous waste channels. Consult local solid waste officials for proper methods.
These materials kill valuable bacteria in the system and may pass through to
contaminate drinking water.
- Never let wash water from latex paint on brushes or rollers go down the drain and into
the septic system.
- Route water from condensation in high efficiency furnaces outside of septic system
(to prevent freezing problems).
back to table of contents
Good Neighbor Outdoor Lighting
A GUIDE TO SELECTING AND INSTALLING EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE, AND UNOBTRUSIVE OUTDOOR LIGHTING FIXTURES
Compiled by the New England Light Pollution Advisory Group (NELPAG) and the International Dark-Sky Association
Why is there outdoor lighting?
Outdoor lighting is used to illuminate roadways,
parking lots, yards, sidewalks, public meeting areas,
signs, work sites, and buildings. It provides us with
better visibility and a sense of security.
When well-designed and properly installed,
outdoor lighting can be and is very useful in
improving visibility and safety and a sense of
security, while at the same time minimizing
energy use and operating costs.
Why should we be concerned?
If outdoor lighting is not well-designed and properly
installed, it can be costly, inefficient, glary, and harmful
to the nighttime environment. These are the issues:
Glare: Poorly-designed or poorly installed
lighting can cause a great deal of glare that can
severely hamper the vision of pedestrians,
cyclists, and drivers, creating a hazard rather
than increasing safety. Glare occurs when you
can see light directly from the fixture (or bulb).
Light Trespass: Poor outdoor lighting shines
onto neighborhood properties and into bedroom
windows, reducing privacy, hindering sleep,
and creating an unattractive look to the area.
Energy Waste: Much of our outdoor lighting
wastes energy because it is not well-designed.
This waste results in high operating costs and
increased environmental pollution from the
extra power generation needs. We waste over
a billion dollars a year in the United States
alone lighting up the sky at night.
Sky Glow: A large fraction of poor lighting
shines directly upwards, creating the adverse
sky glow above our cities that washes our view
of the dark night sky, taking away an important
natural resource. In addition to the cost savings,
less sky glow will allow future generations
to enjoy the beauty of the stars, and children
will be inspired to learn and perhaps to enter
fields of science.
What is Good Lighting?
Good lighting does its intended job well and with
minimum adverse impact to the environment. Good
lighting has four distinct characteristics:
1. It provides adequate light for the intended
task, but never over-lights.
Specifying sufficient light for a job is sometimes hard
to do on paper. Remember that a full moon can make
an area seem quite bright. Some modern lighting
systems illuminate areas to a level 100 times as bright
as does the full moon! Brighter is not always better,
so try to choose lights that will meet your needs
without illuminating the neighborhood. If you can't
decide what to do, consulting a good lighting designer
is usually your best bet.
2. It uses "fully-shielded" lighting fixtures,
fixtures that control the light output in order
to keep the light in the intended area.
Such fixtures have minimum glare from the
light-producing source. " Fully-shielded" means that
no light is emitted above the horizontal. (High-angle
light output from ill-designed fixtures is mostly wasted,
doing no good in lighting the ground, but still capable
of causing a great deal of glare. Of course, all the
light going directly up is totally wasted.)
Fully-shielded light fixtures are more effective and
actually increase safety, since they have very little
glare. Glare can dazzle and considerably reduce the
effectiveness of the emitted light.
3. It has the lighting fixtures carefully installed
to maximize their effectiveness on the
targeted property and minimize their adverse impact
beyond the property borders.
Positioning of fixtures is very important. Even
well-shielded fixtures placed on tall poles at a property
boundary can cast a lot of light onto neighboring
properties. This 'light trespass" greatly reduces and
invades privacy, and is difficult to resolve after the
installation is complete.
Fixtures should be positioned to give adequate
uniformity of the illuminated area. A few bright fixtures
(or ones that are too low to the ground) can often
create bright "hot spots" that make the less-lit areas
in-between seem dark. This can create a safety
problem. When lighting signs, position the lights
above and in front of the sign, and keep the light
restricted to the sign area; overlit signs are actually
harder to read. Buildings ought to be similarly lit in a
way to offer an attractive, safe environment without
overkill.
Why are these characteristics so important?
How do they factor into a design?
Good lighting means that we save energy and money,
and we avoid hassles. A quality lighting job makes a
"good neighbor." And we have a safer and more
secure nighttime environment.
Always remember that lighting should benefit people.
Controlled, effective, efficient lighting at a home or
business will enhance the beauty, while providing
visibility, safety, and security. Poorly-installed, bright
lighting is offensive and gives a very poor image.
|
back to table of contents
want to go back to the main newsletter directory ?
want to go back to the Sportsmen's Club Home Page ?
|
