Keep oil and gas out of lakes and rivers

To the editor:

Boating season is here! As Alaskans from all over come to enjoy the Susitna Valley’s lakes and rivers on sunny weekends, the amount of gas and oil in the water increases to a dangerous level for fish and other aquatic life. Luckily, there are some things that we can do as boaters to take action and decrease the pollution in high-priority waterbodies like Big Lake and the Little Susitna River. A few things to consider this summer:

• Every drop counts. Always keep absorbent pads on board and use them when fueling, checking or adding oil, and use them to collect any small spills that may happen.

• Go slow when fueling and always use an absorbent. Fueling your boat is not like fueling your car. Pay attention to where your fuel overflow vent is. Make sure to put something there to collect any overflow — don’t let that expensive fuel out into the lake or onto the parking lot.

• Don’t drain your boat on the launch ramp. Please wait until you are in the uplands, you’ve cleaned up any spills with absorbents, and there is some vegetation between you and the lake before you drain your boat.

• Never use soaps to clean up spills. Soap sends oil to the bottom of the river or lake where it harms fish and other aquatic life. And it’s illegal!

Cook Inletkeeper is working with communities around the Mat-Su to provide tools and resources for boaters on this summer. Inletkeeper staff will be at the boat launches around Big Lake, the Little Susitna Public Use Facility, and Deshka Landing this summer. Look for our absorbent pads, oil-absorbent bilge pillows, and other fun and useful tools to help you do your part to keep fuel and oil out of Big Lake and the Little Su!

Heather Leba

Talkeetna