Save the Lake Tips

Properly maintain your septic system, especially by pumping it out every few years.

Do not dump sewage from your boat or home directly into the Lake.

Pick up and dispose of pet waste in the garbage.

Keep cars and boats in good working order to eliminate oil and fluid leaks.

Do not pour chemicals or motor oil into the ground around the lake, or into your septic system.

Upgrade your two-stroke outboard to a more environmentally-friendly outboard motor. New 4-stroke and direct fuel injection motors pollute less.

Use environmentally sound cleaning products, such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice to in and around your home.

Do not flush medications and pharmaceuticals down the toilet. They should be discarded in the trash, or brought to a pharmacy drop-off location.

Do not use anti-freeze or other chemicals to keep ice fishing holes open.

Properly dispose of mercury-bearing items, including non-digital thermometers and thermostats, and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

Use conservation practices on agricultural lands.

Install a rain barrel and/or plant a rain garden.

Plant native trees and vegetation along shorelines and river banks to help hold soil in place and reduce erosion.

Wash your car with non-phosphorus and biodegradable soap on your lawn rather than on your driveway so that excess water and detergents can soak into the grass.

Help limit the spread of Eurasian Milfoil and other invasive nonnative species that can have negative effects on native fish and wildlife species and their habitats.

Use measures such as streambank fencing, constructed wetlands and buffer strips to control nonpoint source pollution that causes habitat degradation.

Use landscaping practices that benefit living natural resources and their habitats.

Work with federal and state agencies and nonprofit organizations to protect fish and wildlife habitat through conservation easements and habitat protection and restoration programs.

Learn to identify plant and animal species in the Basin to help researchers and managers better understand the distribution of these species in the Basin.

*When recreating in areas infested with Eurasian watermilfoil, be careful not to break apart the plant since milfoil spreads by plant fragments.

Always stop at boat inspection stations, and help stop the spread of invasive species.

Inspect your boat, trailer, and equipment, and remove any mud and plants before leaving any body of water.

Dry the boat and trailer in the sun for at least five days, or if you use your boat sooner, rinse off the boat, trailer, anchor, anchor line, bumpers, engine, etc. with hot water or at a car wash.

Leave live aquatic bait and bait used in infested waters behind- either give it to someone using the same water body, or discard it in the trash.

Contact Bear Lake Watch to find out how to become involved in monitoring and outreach activities to help prevent the spread of nuisance nonnative aquatic species in the Bear Lake.