Lake User Survey

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) developed a lake user survey in 2000 to explore the views of lake users regarding water quality, scenic quality, local actions projects and the effectiveness of laws that protect our lakes.

A five page survey was developed to accomplish this.  Three thousand copies were printed and distributed through lake association meetings, watershed survey training workshops, Congress of Lakes Association (COLA) annual meeting and newsletter, the Volunteer Lakes Monitoring Program (VLMP), and miscellaneous opportunities. In addition, a pdf file of the survey was put on the Maine DEP web site. Therefore, this is not a random survey!  It most represents individuals who are more actively involved with their lake. The survey was designed so that once completed it could be folded in half and, with the addition of a 33 cent postage stamp (the amount of postage in 2000), the survey could be dropped in the mail.

Six hundred and fourteen surveys (614) where returned by the deadline. The data was entered into a MSAccess spread sheet.

There are approximately 138 different lakes represented in the data.  An exact count can not be determined as some lake names are used more than once in Maine; sometimes more than once in the same township.

Survey results

The respondents are an older crowd with 65% over the age of 55 and an average of 32 years of visiting/living on the lake. There were more men (60%) than women (37%), and the remainder left the gender blank.

Generally, the respondents felt that both the water and scenic quality has remained the same for the past 10 years, but are unsure of the future of their lake. Most felt their lake had good water quality (57%) and good scenic quality (54%). When asked if there was enough "enforcement of existing laws and regulations" 64% said there was "Not Enough". Respondents were also asked if "laws and regulations related to the lake and lakeshore environment" had Gone Too Far (5%), Struck the Right Balance (43%), Not Gone Far Enough (43%), or Don’t Know (7%).

A few specific highlights from the survey --  A majority (53%) stated that lawn fertilizers and chemicals have a Great or Moderate Impact on Lake water quality. Fifty five percent (55%) said removal of shoreline vegetation has a Great or Moderate Impact on water quality. Fifty nine percent (59%) said soil erosion from home sites has a Great or Moderate Impact on water quality.

In addition, 92% said they support more water quality education, 83% support more erosion control assistance for property owners, 77% support more enforcement of existing shoreland protection laws, and 75% support stricter septic system regulations to improve water quality. Sixty five percent (65%) support development of financial incentive for environmentally sound shoreland management and 64% support an awards program for shoreland property owners who minimize their impacts. Sixty-four percent (64%) support stricter zoning regulation for shoreline development to maintain natural shoreline character, and 63% support stricter regulations to protect shoreland trees and shrubs.

The opinions of both new and long time residents regarding water and scenic quality appear to be the same. There is a difference however, between those who think the water quality is improving and those who think it is declining. Those who believe the lake water quality is getting better have a 60% chance of being correct. Those who think it is declining only a 33% accuracy rate.

Sixteen people indicated they had taken all the water quality protection actions listed in table 5B. One person hadn’t done any. Of the possible lake protection actions, reducing the size of the lawn seemed to be the least desirable ((33% said they had, but 14% said no never and 25% left blank).

Two hundred and thirty two people took the time to write in a comment in the comment section. Thirteen were about invasive plants, 62 about personal water craft.

Scenic beauty is most effected by building/development (43% said there was too much shoreline development and 84% said that cabin/home development had an impact on scenic beauty) rather than tree and natural habitat removal (74% scenic beauty was effected by tree removal and only 25% said there wasn’t enough natural shoreline vegetation). In addition, rip-rap and retaining wall are not see as having a major effect on scenic quality (only 34% said there was any impact).

Ducks and geese are not yet a major issue in Maine lakes, only 20% said there were too many on their lake, 65% said the number was about right. Many respondents wrote indicating that personal watercraft are a problem. The complaint is related to noise.

Finally, most people believe their lake is in good shape, they would like to see more enforcement of existing laws, and they highly support more education.

DEP would like to thank COLA, VLMP and all the respondents for their help in collecting this data. For more information on this study contact Kathy Hoppe, Maine DEP, 207-764-0477.