Keep Our Waterways Beautiful
It’s a wonderful afternoon out on the lake as you take in a little fishing, a little sunning, maybe a little dozing. It’s turned out to be a great day on the water—until your eye catches something floating by.
Maybe it’s a plastic bottle or another piece of trash, or maybe food scraps dumped by a fellow boater. Whatever it is, it doesn’t belong, diminishing both your watery getaway’s wild beauty and your mood.
Our nation’s lakes, rivers and streams have a natural appeal that draws thousands of people to their shores and banks every year. It’s a shared resource, meant for everyone’s benefit and enjoyment, and a shared obligation to preserve and protect these waterways. While most are careful to treat them with respect, some don’t, either out of ignorance or carelessness.
Boaters play a major role in keeping our waterways pristine and unpolluted. Here are 6 tips to help you do your part in preserving the beauty of your favorite lake or stream.
Plan ahead. We all like a little spontaneity, especially when we’re out having fun. But a little planning doesn’t have to spoil your good time—and it may even enhance it. This is especially true regarding food items: By planning out your meals and snack items ahead of time, you’ll avoid impulse buying (usually on the way to your destination) and bring only what you need for the trip.
Limit what you bring on board. Planning also helps you determine just what you’ll need to bring on the boat—as well as what you won’t need. The typical boater is usually just out for the day—so unless you’re on an extended stay, don’t overpack. The fewer items you carry with you on board, the lower the risk that some of them will find their way in the water.
Choose bulk food packaging. One-serving containers might be convenient, but the leftover packaging can accumulate. You might have the best of intentions for properly disposing of all those lightweight containers, but the wind might have other plans! You can reduce the amount of leftover packaging by bringing along food and snacks in bulk, and preferably in containers you intend to reuse.
Have a plan for trash. As with other places in your life, you should organize your boat to accommodate everything you bring on board. That includes whatever little trash you might generate: Even if you’ve limited it to the bare minimum, it could still potentially find itself over the side. So, be sure you have a designated compartment and secure container on board—and be sure all your passengers know about it too.
Don’t toss food scraps overboard. It’s perfectly natural to view food scraps differently from human-made trash. They’re biodegradable—so it’s perfectly acceptable to throw them into the water, right? Wrong: Natural food scraps do break down, but sometimes more slowly than you might think. An orange peel, for example, can take months or even years to decompose—a long time to float along with the current.
If you need another reason why you shouldn’t dispose of scraps over the side, here’s a big one: It’s against federal law to dispose of any trash overboard, including food scraps, while on lakes or rivers, or within 3 miles of shore on the ocean.
Join others in tidying up waterways. Perhaps you’re already conscientious about ensuring your own excursions don’t foul up your favorite lake or stream. But not everyone is—so all kinds of trash can accumulate over time. You can help do more by participating in cleanup events, joining others in giving that waterway you love a good “spit and polish.” Plus, you’ll get a chance to renew old friendships and have a little fun to boot.
Hikers and backpackers are fond of saying: “Take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints.” People who love the water could say something similar: “Take back only memories—and leave nothing that doesn’t belong there.” Following these tips and others you’ll find here will help you fulfill that maxim—and make your own boating excursions more enjoyable.