Keeping Big Lake clean is catching on

BIG LAKE — The Clean Boating on Big Lake program is making a big splash. The program, now in its second season, has been a good first step in educating recreational users of Big Lake about some simple and common sense ways to help keep gas and oil out of the lake. These include draining your boat’s bilge on land instead of in or near the lake, fueling your boat or water scooter before you launch — away from the water — and using an absorbent pad to catch your drips.

This is the third year of a grant from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation with Cook Inletkeeper, and the initial outreach effort has been a resounding success. Community members have been receptive to stepping up to the plate when it comes to learning simple ways to help keep Big Lake clean, and they are enjoying the free kits handed out by project volunteers. Keep Big Lake Clean boating kits include a variety of useful and educational items for those who like to recreate on the lake, with tips on how we can all do our part to keep small leaks and spills out of the lake.

Outreach for the Clean Boating on Big Lake program is an ongoing effort and will continue throughout this summer and into next. It will focus on promoting environmentally friendly boating practices by users on busy holiday weekends and around boat launch sites. This year’s late breakup kept boaters away during Memorial Day weekend, but the outreach is particularly important over long weekends like July Fourth and Labor Day. Boaters and water sports enthusiasts want to protect shared water resources, and now they are receiving some free, helpful ways to do so. The support is building on last summer’s success, and keeping Big Lake clean is catching on.

The Clean Boating on Big Lake Program is sponsored by a state grant, administered through Cook Inletkeeper and managed locally by Mat-Su Conservation Services.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Catherine Inman at 841-2226 or visit bit.ly/11KR4zZ.