Shrubs provided through the Municipality of the Township of Potton’s annual distribution program help stabilize shorelines, improve water quality and enhance lakeside landscapes. Photo courtesy Potton/Facebook.
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The Municipality of the Township of Potton is encouraging residents to follow shoreline protection rules and adopt environmentally responsible practices this spring, while also promoting its annual shrub and tree distribution program.
Residents have until Wednesday, April 29 at noon to submit orders for shrubs and trees supplied through the MRC Memphrémagog initiative. The order form must be submitted in person at town hall, with distribution scheduled for May 16 at the municipal ecocentre.
The program is intended to support shoreline stabilization, reduce wind exposure and improve water quality, while enhancing the appearance of properties along lakes and watercourses.
At the same time, municipal information and guides highlight the importance of maintaining natural vegetation along shorelines. According to a municipal shoreline protection guide, riparian plants act as natural filters, trapping fertilizers, pesticides and sediments before they reach waterways, while also reducing erosion and flood risk.
“Plants of the riparian [zone] filter fertilizers, pesticides, sediments and other pollutants that can contaminate water,” the guide states, noting that vegetation also helps regulate water temperature and provides habitat for fish and wildlife.
Strict regulations remain in place governing shoreline use. Vegetation control—including mowing, brush clearing and tree cutting—is prohibited within at least five metres of the high-water mark, and up to 7.5 metres on steeper slopes. Limited exceptions apply, such as a two-metre strip adjacent to existing buildings or work carried out under permit.
Any work within the riparian zone—including planting, access paths or tree cutting—requires municipal authorization.
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Additional guidance provided to residents also addresses the management of artificial ponds. A conservation guide produced by the Missisquoi Bay Watershed Organization stresses that ponds can significantly affect groundwater and surface water quality and must be properly maintained to avoid environmental harm.
Poorly managed ponds can contribute to algae growth, oxygen loss, warming water temperatures and declining biodiversity. The guide notes that a lack of vegetation along shorelines can lead to increased sediment runoff and the presence of harmful cyanobacteria.
Conversely, maintaining a well-vegetated riparian buffer can help stabilize banks, filter pollutants and support wildlife. Native aquatic plants also play a role in oxygenating water and limiting excessive algae growth when properly balanced.
Residents are also reminded that introducing invasive species—such as certain aquatic plants or fish—can disrupt ecosystems and is prohibited.
Beyond individual properties, the municipality continues to monitor water quality through a long-standing tributary sampling program coordinated by the MRC Memphrémagog. The program provides data used to track the health of local waterways and assess the impact of environmental regulations and conservation measures.
Municipal officials are also asking residents to report any obstructions in watercourses, including those caused by beaver dams or ice jams, particularly when they pose risks to infrastructure or public safety.
For more information on shoreline regulations, pond management or the shrub distribution program, residents can contact the municipality directly.
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