I think this is a fantastic amendment to the SPA... of course as most of us know, enforcement is the real trick, and if history is any indication, most offenders will get off without as much as a wrist slap.
ACA c'mon, sucking up pine needles by accident? That's not what the law is meant to stop, and obviously its not enforceable on such a small scale like that. The spirit of the law is very clear- protect the shoreline and the lake water quality benefits. Overzealous clear cutting to the water's edge, planting of lakeside lawns and removal of the natural ground cover has become pervasive over the past 10 years, and the current SPA is not strong enough to deter offenders. (I believe the current law merely offers the "suggestion" that you leave the natural ground cover undisturbed) Anyone who takes regular boat rides each year can attest to this trend... just look how many homes which had previously had a natural shoreline now have a manicured landscape to the water's edge. And no, I'm not a fan of gov't coming into MBY and telling me what I can and can't do, but I feel the protection of the lake and its fragile ecosystem should always take precedence over one landowner's vanity.
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