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Originally Posted by shore things
A section will also be added to the rules outlining special provisions for emergency situations. (Thanks to Hemlockpoint for bring this up because we had overlooked it.)
Please keep the comments coming.
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--Emergency Situations--
The Big Lake has some big weather that does big damage on a regular basis.
I installed a weather station on the Winnipesaukee waterfront in 1997 and in that time have recorded wind gusts to 60 mph at least once per year, and a handful of 75-mph events through the decade.
An uprooted tree creates a giant hole in the ground that needs to be filled. A large boulder, rock wall, or even a section of land that gets undermined by 6 inches of rain in 24 hours requires immediate stabilization by construction equipment.
Never mind the wind damage--what about damage caused by lake ice? That's an annual rite of passage. In addition to dock damage (which I understand is fixable without a permit) the ice can and does move big rocks to where they're suddenly in the way. These are just examples of emergency situations waterfront owners face on a regular basis. Life out here is interesting -- that's what I like about it. I'd like to be able to keep living it without having to seek permission.
--Positive encouragement--
Also, how about encouraging projects that improve the health of the woodland and reduce runoff? I think a lot of waterfront owners (myself included) would be happy to *help* the DES protect the lake, especially given some positive motivation and a promise that there's no red tape involved.
If prevention of runoff is part of the goal, What about encouraging "green rooftops" (where physically possible) as they are currently doing in major cities? What about encouraging owners to redirect runoff paths toward thirsty plants & trees?
Since this is mostly a rural area, you could promote rural character by encouraging unpaved driveways & parking areas versus paved ones. This would accomplish the goal of keeping more surfaces permeable.
Can the rules be written to encourage people to make their property more environmentally sustainable?
Most people respond really well when you tell them "This is what TO do" rather than "DON'T do this"... (or as Nascar drivers say, if you think about avoiding the collision, you'll be involved in it - so just focus on driving.) Since the health of our much-loved lake is what's at stake here, I'd hope the rules for protecting it could be written in such a way that people like me who care about the lake could have the option of "pursuing the right way" instead of feeling confined to "avoid the wrong way."