GW Residential Technician
Debra Oosterhart
Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program
Debra joined the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) in October 2007. For the past fourteen years Debra has taught elementary school with the last six of those years in Ontonagon, Michigan. Since her move to Mason county Debra has been a substitute teacher for Mason and Manistee counties.
Residential Technician Debra Oosterhart
As a Residential Technician, my role will be somewhat the same as before, working with homeowners to improve their home environment and become aware of the environmental risks. I am also involved with developing a website where everyone will have access to all of the residential information that is used in a home visit, as well as an education component, like creating lesson plans, among other things.
I am allowed to have a more active role in the Mason-Lake CD. I have been working on updating the website, developing educational opportunities for our school children, presentations for school children, grant writing, and Household Hazardous Waste/Clean Sweep for 2009. Also, I plan to make my section of our newsletter more informative, hopefully you will learn something valuable from the information presented. If you have any suggestions for items you would like to learn about relating to the residential aspect, please email me or call the CD. I would appreciate hearing from you.
Did you know, that since 2008 was an election year, it is a good time to get your septic tank pumped? Not because the election is over, but every four years your system should be cleaned out to prevent any future problems. It is less expensive to do preventive maintenance rather than replacing a septic system as a result of not being proactive. Once you have established pumping on a four year (election year) routine, it will be easy to remember when your septic was last serviced.
For the gardeners, you will find a quarterly report with monthly tips.
January: It’s a good time to clean and repair your gardening tools.
February: It’s time to think about those seed catalogs and place your orders.
March: You could check your pesticides and fertilizers. Proper storage is needed. Store all pesticides and fertilizers in a plastic tote so if there is a spill, it is contained. Proper disposal of any outdated or unwanted ones can be done at the HHW Collections in August.
Mason-Lake Conservation District : 231-757-3708
deboosterhart@mi.nacnet.net
Improving the Health of Your Lake:
Dear Lake Association members and neighbors,
Living next to a lake can be a rewarding experience in a multitude of ways, but this privilege comes with responsibilities as well. Once developed, many Michigan lakes begin to suffer from weed and algae invasion, cloudy water, increasingly poor fishing, sinking water levels, and coliform bacterial presence.
By being pro-active about lakeshore protection, residents can improve the health of their lake through simple activities, such as lakescaping and lawn care, septic maintenance, and stormwater management.
Learn more about shoreline management and water quality by scheduling a FREE Lake*A*Syst presentation at your convenience. The presentation includes inter-active demonstrations, and gives lake residents the tools they need to make informed decisions about what kind of fertilizer to use on their lawn, erosion control and buffer strips, environmentally friendly patio design, and much more. Each participant will receive a free booklet and supplemental educational materials, specifically addressing lakeside residents concerns and questions.
There is no time like the present for you and your neighbors to begin improving your lake's quality, beauty, and the health of its many residents, both human and animal. It's up to you!
Sincerely, Debra Oosterhart
Link for Water Presentation Application in pdf format
