Professor: There is a Lake Host program that has run for many years inspecting boats as they move in and out of launch ramps, supported by DES with funds from boat registrations. Some paid staff, some volunteers, managed by NHLAKES. They also run a program to evaluate lake side residences and award a "Lake Smart" certification. Only so much can be done with legislation. One bill this year outlawed dumping (blowing) leaves and yard debris into the lake. How many people really do that if they also want to swim near their home? It's getting pretty small. I think most landscapers who are licensed to apply chemicals are careful. Recall, a few years ago there was a lot of "careless" development and developers just paid the fine and added it onto the bill. To me, if it is really contractors (I'm not so sure) A fine that gets passed on doesn't matter. You really need to impound the back hoes and the chainsaws. The subcontractors know the rules but as long as somebody else pays the fine...
Like many other things, when we pass laws controlling phosphorus for example, a substitute fertilizer comes on the market and the same lawn still looks nice. Storm water runoff with silt and other contaminants is still a problem.
There was a short lived effort some years ago to give "current use status" to undeveloped shorefront lots, especially important for small lakes. The selectmen in the legislature balked because it would reduce tax income from (overdeveloped) lake front land. The governing bodies love to see big homes on the shore with no school children.
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