Three Lakes Council

Lakes Waccabuc, Oscaleta, and Rippowam

Landscape with three lakes separated by land, surrounded by trees and open land.

Three Lakes Council Letter:

Friends and neighbors, 

Best wishes for a 2026 that is healthy, peaceful, and joyful. Our lakes are a precious resource that bring so much to our families. To keep them thriving, we invite you to add some of these stewardship resolutions to your personal list for the new year.

Actions around home: 

  • Septic upkeep. I’ll have my septic tank pumped out and inspected. Regular maintenance of septic systems helps limit phosphorus pollution to our lakes, and is especially important for older systems in poor soils. 

  • Smart lawn care. I will overseed my lawn rather than spread fertilizer or pesticides. I’ll cut my grass high and leave the clippings on the lawn as fertilizer. 

  • Leave leaves. I’ll cover bare ground with plants or mulch to limit soil erosion and phosphorus runoff. I’ll let leaves stay in wooded areas and compost leaves from other areas of my yard. 

Protect our waters 

  • Plant native buffers. I’ll use native plants to slow the flow of polluted runoff. A buffer is especially important along lake shorelines! 

  • Clean boating. I’ll check, clean, and dry my boats and gear to avoid transporting troublesome invasive plants and animals to our lakes. 

  • Scoop the poop. I’ll pick up and keep pet waste from flowing into our water with rainfall. 

  • Respect wildlife. Feeding geese and ducks can get them to stay and leave their droppings behind. I won’t dump aquarium pets or plants into the lakes.  

Connect with the community

  • Stay informed. I’ll keep up to date on the Town’s actions on the Oscaleta Road culvert repair. I’ll track the potential solutions to septic system pollution. 

  • Appreciation. I’ll find out more about our lakes’ history, health, plants, or animals this year. I’ll take a few moments to value and enjoy our wonderful lakes. If I want to know more, I can visit the ThreeLakes Council website. 

  • Contribute. I will join or renew my membership in the Three Lakes Council to support the stewardship of our lake resources. I’ll participate in my association activities. 

Thanks for considering these! 

For those who want to donate to the ThreeLakes Council, you can send a check to ThreeLakes Council, PO Box 241, South Salem, NY 10590 or donate online by PayPal Giving Fund. 

With warmest wishes for 2026.  

Jan