FARMINGTON – Twenty-four lakefront property owners in the Farmington lakes region received LakeSmart awards from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The awards recognized them for their efforts in managing and landscaping their properties to protect lake water quality.

Receiving awards were: Afton and Alan Gove, Dean and Jeanine Wells, Gerald and Heidi Hartz of Parker Pond; Bob and Lyn Werner of Clearwater Lake; James Cahill, Richard and Glendalyn Hargreaves and Lucia and Peter Swallow of Porter Lake; Ellie Hopkins of Locke Pond; and Dan and Linda Seabold, John Knight and Linda McGowan, Katherine and Keith Shoaps, Mary Ryan, Dennis and Linda Taylor, Jim and Jean Doughty, Tom and Paulette Cahn, Wynn and Sandy Muller, Nancy Prince, Dennis and Judy Landry, Susan and Thomas Withrow, Betty and Colley Shibles, Walter and Paula Hummerick, Bart and Jean MacDonald, Anthony and Carolyn McLaughlin and Maxine Scott and Pam Brown, all of Wilson Lake.

Each landowner was given LakeSmart award signs for their property. The property owners also have received, or will receive, an award plaque or certificate for their home.

Bill Laflamme of the DEP and Rosetta Thompson of the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District, who were involved in the evaluation process, said the award winners have beautified their property using materials and techniques that protect the quality of the lake.

The landowners have incorporated trees, shrubs and ground cover along the shoreline in their landscaping that prevents polluted stormwater runoff from entering the lake. They also maintain their driveways and parking areas to prevent erosion and their septic systems to ensure that discharges do not occur to the lake.

Thompson has been instrumental in the progress of the LakeSmart program in Franklin County. The Friends of Wilson Lake and Porter Lake and Locke/Sand Pond associations have also been promoting the program.

The LakeSmart program was started in 2003 as a means to recognize the efforts of landowners concerned with lake water quality protection. Statewide more than 130 property owners have been recognized since the program’s inception

LakeSmart evaluations for Farmington area lakes will be conducted on Wilson and Porter lakes and Locke and Sand ponds this year. The DEP urges all property owners on those lakes who are interested in pursuing a LakeSmart award to contact their local LakeSmart coordinators to set up an appointment for a free evaluation.

For Wilson Lake, contact Katherine Shoaps at 645-4409; Porter Lake, Jean Ferrari, 652-2440; Locke and Sand ponds, Ellie Hopkins, 645-3846. More information on the LakeSmart program can be found at MaineDEP.com.