"The benefit to them is that they won't get in trouble with us," laughed Department of Fisheries and Oceans habitat co-ordinator Thomas Wheaton.

 "That would be number 1, but they'd also be working as good stewards of the environment."

 Mr. Wheaton is part of a group of provincial and federal fishery officers, biologists and environment inspectors which has been conducting a series of lake tours in southwestern Nova Scotia as part of a pilot program to increase awareness regarding the issue.

 "It was quite apparent to me that people weren't well-educated when it came to the legislation, what was required or even how to do things appropriately. That's why I felt it was very, very important to get out and be proactive,"

 The project began last summer on Lake Mush-a-Mush and has since expanded to include seven others.

 "What made me feel we were on the right track with this was the response we got from the people we met, and contractors as well. It was very positive. We even had people call us up later to tell us they were glad we came and took an interest in their lake."

 The general rule of thumb is try to limit development within about 10 feet of the water.

 "We suggest they minimize their clearing, and when they do clear, we give them information about types of sediment and erosion control they can put in place," said Mr. Wheaton.

 "We really encourage them to leave the lakefront pretty much alone, to take a step back and take a look at what they really want to achieve. Most people want a dock and maybe a little area where their kids or grandchildren can go into the water safely. Except for that, in most cases people can just leave the lakefront pretty natural."

 Of primary concern is the devastating impact of sediment getting into the water, often after heavy rainfalls.

 "Lakefronts, especially near the shore, are extremely important in terms of fish spawning and nursery areas, as well as food production. Fish eat a lot of aquatic insects, and those areas, called the littoral zone, are absolutely critical. If you get sediment there, you get a covering of vegetation or spawning areas, and if there are little young fish or eggs, it will smother them."

 For more information, check on-line at http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/habitat/habitat-eng.htm.