REALTOR GUIDE
Lake Superior Basin Landowner and Realtor Outreach Project
The Lake Superior Basin Landowner and Realtor Outreach Project (hereafter referred to as the LRO Project) is a collaboration between the Superior Watershed Partnership, U.S. EPA, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Environment Canada, EcoSuperior, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, University of Wisconsin Extension Service, and members from the Lake Superior Lakewide Management Plan's Superior Work Group.
Started in 2006, the LRO Project aims to improve realtors and home/land-owners understanding of typical environmental concerns associated with rural, residential properties, as well as change attitudes and approaches to activities and use of these types of properties through the development of a Best Management Practices Binder.
It has been noted that realtors often don't convey important environmental and water quality protection information to prospective property owners. While some local governments are aware of these problems, efforts to increase awareness and compliance are not comprehensive or watershed oriented. The LRO Project is producing a binder tailored to counties in the Lake Superior Basin and making the binder available to landowners via direct distribution, internet and to realtors via continuing education credit workshops.
View the DRAFT Landowner and Realtor Outreach Binder
Property and landowners receiving this binder will learn of BMPs related to protecting water quality and habitat on their property. The Binder includes concrete steps property owners can take to minimize potential impacts to water quality in relation to such things as:
- proper well placement and maintenance
- septic system maintenance
- proper disposal of waste, conserving wetlands
- shoreline buffers and habitat protection
- proper management of stormwater
- landscaping for wildlife and water quality protection
- home energy conservation
- proper disposal of mercury-containing products
Each of the above mentioned tabs will have an associated list of local resources for that region of the Lake Superior Basin. A landowner survey will be included with each binder to determine effectiveness of the information, usage of the binder by landowner, and specifics on the acreage being protected.
If you're interested in learning more about this project or receiving a copy of the Binder for the UP Counties bordering Lake Superior, contact the SWP office at (906) 228-6095.
