But a natural lakeshore does more than help the water quality of the lake and the quality of the its habitat; it helps the value of property along the lake, and it’s good business. Lakefront property generates millions of dollars in revenue. Studies show that when water clarity decreases, so do lake property values. Increasing development pressures are putting our lakes in peril. Many lakeshore property owners unknowingly harm their lakes by replacing natural lakeshore vegetation with lawns, clearing out submerged logs and branches at the water's edge, cutting down trees to get a better view, importing sand to make artificial beaches, building docks, and "armoring" the shoreland with concrete or wooden bulkheads.
This resources page provides practitioners links to key resources to protect and restore fragile lake shorelands and to promote better lakeshore stewardship by property owners.
For more information about lake shoreland restoration and/or protection, contact Anne Weinberg (weinberg.anne@epa.gov).
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
This page provides links to non-EPA web sites that provide additional information about lake shoreland protection. You will leave the EPA.gov domain and enter another page with more information. EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of information on that non-EPA page. Providing links to a non-EPA Web site is not an endorsement of the other site or the information it contains by EPA or any of its employees. Also, be aware that the privacy protection provided on the EPA.gov domain (see Privacy and Security Notice) may not be available at the external link. 
Lake Shoreland Protection Resources
Featured News and Resources
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EPA Lakeshore Outreach Products
Use the Lakes Awareness Publications Order Form (PDF) (1 pp, 175K) to request these items:
- Learning About Lakefront Property (PDF) (4 pp, 9.3MB) — EPA 840-F-10-003, Oct. 2010
- Healthy Lakes & Higher Property Values Factsheet (PDF) (2 pp, 2.6MB) — EPA 840-F-10-002, Oct. 2010
- Open the Door to Clean Lakes! (PDF) (2 pp, 108K) — EPA 841-E-10-002, laminated door hanger, Oct. 2010
- Clean Lakes Need Healthy Lakeshores; Healthy Lakeshores Need You (PDF) (1 pg, 170K) — EPA 840-E-10-001, fish-shaped, floating key chain, Oct. 2010
Lakeshore Management Education Products
( Guides, Fact Sheets, Manuals, Reports, Newsletters, Pamphlets, Brochures, Books and Articles)
Lakeshore Management Information for Property Owners
Guides
- Shoreline Stabilization Guidelines
Reston Association
- Comparison Matrix for Shoreline Stablization Methods (page 4)
- Shoreland Property: A Guide to Environmentally Sound Ownership (PDF) (11 pp, 1.6MB)
Southeast Wisconsin Fox River Basin Partnership Team, University of Wisconsin–Extension, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Guide to Lake Protection and Management
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
The Guide to Lake Protection and Management is a second edition of the Citizen's Guide to Lake Protection. This document contains updated and new material on the following topics: chemistry of lakes, watershed information, exotic species, altering runoff and lake use practices, development of a lake management plan, and nonstructural best management practices.
- Owning Waterfront Property: A Checklist Wisconsin Environmental Initiative (PDF) (2 pp, 308K)
Tips and resources to assist landowners in adopting landscaping, lawn care, and building or remodeling practices that will preserve shoreland habitats. (2003)
- A Guide to Aquatic Plants: Identification & Management
Shoreland Management, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Minnesota Shoreland Management Resource Guide
- The Water's Edge: Helping Fish and Wildlife on Your Lakeshore Property (PDF) (12 pp, 630K)
Division of Fisheries, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (2009)
- Managing the Water's Edge: Making Natural Connections (PDF) (24 pp, 8.6MB)
Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (May 2010)
This document provides important and up-to-date information and concepts related to riparian buffers in order to help protect and restore water quality, wildlife, recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty.
- Designing Shoreland Stewardship Packets: A Guide for Wisconsin Lake Organizations (PDF) (32 pp, 1.4MB)
Wisconsin Association of Lakes (June 2007)
- Representing Property with Wetlands and Riparian Areas: A Guide for Montana's Realtors (PDF) (16 pp, 889K)
Prepared by Montana Watercourse.
Fact Sheets
Articles
Books
- Landscaping at the Water's Edge: An Ecological Approach
This book authored by University of New Hampshire's Cooperative Extension for landowners and landscapers explains how our landscaping choices impact surface and ground waters and demonstrates how, with simple observations, ecologically-based design and low impact maintenance practices, you can protect, and even improve, the quality of our water resources.
- Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality
This book represents six years of research and the collaborative efforts of Carrol Henderson, DNR non-game wildlife specialist, Carolyn Dindorf, award-winning soil and water conservationist, and Fred Rozumalski, highly acclaimed landscape ecologist. Learn techniques to prevent lakeshore erosion, restore wildlife habitat, wildflowers and clean water.
Landscaping, Lawn Care, Native Plants and Rain Gardens
Social Marketing Resources
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State Lake Protection Programs
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Model Ordinances and Laws for Lakeshore Protection
Local/County Ordinances
State Laws
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Lakes Meetings and Training Calendar
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Funding
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Multi-Media Resources
Presentations 
Webcasts 
Videos 
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Social Media
Twitter 
Facebook 
Blogs 
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Other Lakeshore Information
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