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Originally Posted by Dave R
The rules against cutting brush and removing pine needles near the shore exist to stop runoff from washing things like fertilizer into the lake and ruining the water. They are not there to stop erosion. Shore erosion is a natural part of the life cycle of the lake and is only a problem for property owners, not the health of the lake. DES really does not care about the problems of property owners, only the health of the lake.
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From the DES/Wetlands website:
"EROSION IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM"
Erosion is the process by which soil is carried by water or wind. When water carries soil into a waterbody, it not only fills in the waterbody but contributes nutrients that algae and aquatic weeds need to grow. When vegetation is removed or ground is disturbed, erosion accelerates, overloading the waterbody with nutrients and sediment. This can often contribute to excessive algae and aquatic weed growth, reducing the clarity and quality of the water.
I agree that DES does not care about the problems of property owners. However, according to their mission statement and various Rules and Acts, they do care about water quality and particularly
erosion. What difference does it make if soils, vegetation and nutrients are entering the lake via runoff or via huge waves that are slamming into the shoreline and also up on to the horizontal plane of land? Water is running back into the lake in both cases, carrying the same particles. If you saw the amount of soil, etc., that is in the water after these waves hit, you would not believe your eyes.