What Projects Qualify?
Consider your site conditions and choose the type of project that works best.
1. Shoreline Restoration
This option involves native vegetation planted along the shoreline to stop erosion and filter stormwater runoff. The area must be at least 300 square feet to qualify for the program. It also improves wildlife habitat, natural beauty of the property, and privacy.
Shoreline restoration is for property owners who live along the shoreline. With this option, plants that encourage beautiful bird and butterfly habitat can be chosen. You can also choose low growing plants that won’t disrupt your view of the lake.
2. Rain Garden
This option is a small depression in the landscape filled with native plants situated to collect and filter stormwater. If there is already a low spot on your property that collects rainwater, this is the option for you. The size requirement of the rain Garden is conditional to property characteristics.
Rain gardens collect water from roofs, paths, or driveways. Plants in a rain garden provide natural beauty and habitat for birds and butterflies. These gardens are designed to hold water for 1-2 days and slowly drain and filter the water through the soil; therefore, the water isn’t around long enough to harbor mosquitos.
3. Rock Infiltration
This option is a trench filled with rock that reduces runoff by storing it underground to filter the water. This practice is best used to catch rainwater that would otherwise move downhill and is commonly used along buildings. Rock infiltrations work with sandy to loamy soils (not clay).
4. Water Diversion
This option intercepts runoff from a path or driveway to redirect water into vegetation to be filtered or dispersed. A diversion can be used in connection with a rock infiltration or rain garden. This option is best used to catch rainwater that would otherwise run downhill. It also helps reduce erosion of your path or driveway.
If you have another project in mind that’s not on the list, share your idea with us and it may be a qualifying project.
Rip rap is not considered a qualifying project. It impedes essential wildlife communities by taking away viable habitat and feeding grounds for frogs and shoreline birds and important nesting places for turtles. Rip rap also changes wave energy. When waves come ashore and hit the rock, they scour the bottom of the lake and the adjacent property causing more erosion there.