How Should Property Owners Prepare the Bottomlands?

Addressing bottomland vegetation and debris on Secord, Smallwood and Sanford lakes by the end of the fall of 2025 will help with the quality of lake refill. FLTF cannot direct special assessment funds towards this effort, but in its capacity as a nonprofit, it is working with the community to come together to prepare the lakes for refill. 

How you can help as a property owner:

• Mow the first 40 feet of bottomlands adjacent to your property so it is prepared for lake fill. It may be difficult for lake improvement districts to get to this area. You are allowed to be on the bottomlands to prepare them for lake fill. 
• Remove loose debris (leaves, branches, objects, etc.). It is okay to cut trees, as long as roots are not disturbed and branches and logs are removed. 
• Help out neighbors unable to take care of the bottomland adjacent to their property.
• Mow invasive purple loosestrife and phragmites in the fall when they’re dormant.

As a caution, this can be challenging work that you should only perform if you feel you can do it safely. Alternatively you can contract with someone. It is great to see neighbors helping each other in this effort.