Lake*A*Syst or Lakeshore Assessment System, is a voluntary educational program to assist shoreline property owners in making well informed decisions in the management of their lakefront property.  Although the information in the Lake*A*Syst booklet was written primarily for Lake Pend Oreille shoreline home and business owners, much of the information is applicable to anyone concerned with protecting surface and ground water quality and their drinking water supply.

The booklet consists of nine sections, each addressing a specific topic.  They include:

1. Stormwater Runoff Management

2. Lawn and Garden Management

3. Ensuring a Safe Drinking Water Supply

4. Household Wastewater Treatment

5. Household Hazardous Waste and Petroleum Products Management

6. Landscape and New Construction

7. Access Roads and Driveway Runoff

8. Forest Lot and Riparian Management

9. Pasture and Riparian Management

Also included is a brief section on Eurasian Watermilfoil.  Each section is divided into two parts; an information section and a self assessment to be filled out by the property owner. Not all sections are appropriate for every landowner, but taken individually they contain a great deal of information to assist the landowner in becoming an informed steward of the land and water. 

A Natural Resource Directory is located at the end of the booklet to put landowners in contact with appropriate local, state and federal resources as well as non-profit organizations concerned with water quality. Most of these agencies exist to provide assistance to private landowners and some can provide detailed on-site assistance. A section recommending further reading is also provided. Please consider the enclosed material as a reference manual to be kept by the property owner and to be shared with friends and neighbors.