Being a good neighbor to our lakes, and to each other

One of things I love most about my job is talking with people around the Lakes Region. We often hear from residents, visitors and businesses that have questions about something they are seeing or simply want to learn more about the work that we are doing.

But we also get a lot of calls that start with, “I noticed my neighbor…: They’re blowing leaves into the lake. There’s a strong septic smell coming from their property. They fertilize their lawn so often it looks like a putting green. They don’t pick up after their pet. They’ve cleared vegetation along the shoreline. Their driveway is washing out into the lake. They’re dumping grass clippings near the water. Their ice bubbler keeps a huge area of open water all winter. Their lawn is attracting flocks of geese."

And the list goes on.

Usually, the question that follows is the same: “What should I do?”

It can be a surprisingly difficult decision. No one wants to tell someone else what to do on their own property, especially someone you live next to and may even have a relationship with. And what if the conversation does not go the way you expect? A well-intentioned comment can create awkward tension across the property line with someone you may see every weekend for the next 20 years.

Saying nothing can feel a whole lot easier.

But when it comes to water quality, what happens on the land happens to the lake. Water does not recognize property lines, and what starts as a concern about one property can ultimately have consequences far beyond it, whether it’s directly on the shoreline or miles from the lake.

So, what do you do when you see something that concerns you? Have a conversation.

I think a good place to begin is by assuming the best. You may not know the whole story. They may already be working on the problem, or they may simply not realize there is one.

Sometimes the easiest way to start is by finding common ground rather than pointing out what they are doing wrong. Ask a question or share something that has worked on your own property. “Hey, have you noticed that smell lately?” can open the door to talking about when you last had your own septic system inspected or pumped. Or, “We planted some native plants along our shoreline, and they’ve really helped hold the soil in place and protect our shorefront,” can start a conversation without telling someone what they should (or should not) be doing on their property.

They may have blown leaves into the water for years without thinking twice about it. After all, “What’s the difference between me blowing them in and leaves falling in naturally?” It is a fair question. The difference is that when we concentrate piles of leaves, grass clippings, or other organic material into the lake, we are adding far more than would naturally fall there. If no one has ever explained the connection between that everyday action and water quality, why would we expect someone to know? Sometimes a friendly conversation is all it takes to make that connection.

And if you can, offer a solution or resource. Maybe runoff can be redirected into vegetation. Maybe a septic inspection is a good first step. Maybe those leaves can stay on the property as mulch for their garden instead of ending up in the lake.

Before we look too closely across property lines, it is worth taking the same look at our own. Where does our runoff go? When was our septic system last inspected? What happens to our leaves, grass clippings and pet waste? We can all probably find something we could be doing a little better.

Protecting our natural resources is not about tattling on our neighbors or pointing fingers. Most of the time, no one is intentionally doing something that could harm the lake. Sometimes protecting it means having a conversation we would rather avoid. Starting from a place of curiosity rather than accusation and remembering that most of us ultimately want the same thing, can make that conversation a whole lot smoother.

At the end of the day, being a good neighbor means looking out for each other and being the kind of neighbor our lakes need, too.

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Bree Rossiter is the associate director of the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance, the only nonprofit dedicated to protecting the water quality and natural resources of Lake Winnipesaukee and its watershed through science, education, advocacy, and collaborative solutions. Her work focuses on advancing long-term watershed protection initiatives and connecting science with practical solutions to help preserve the lake for future generations. To learn more, visit winnipesaukee.org.