Changing legislation regarding allowable dock materials has resulted in increased lake pollution. Recognizing this as a growing problem, the NLPA, with generous donations and the work of volunteers, has expanded Norris lake cleanup efforts to also include the removal of multiple concrete dock sections found on various shorelines. Large Debris Removal Go Back Taking a bite out of Pollution IMG_2460 IMG_2464 IMG_2455 IMG_2460 1/5 This takes effort and we are thankful for all our volunteers! The NLPA has expanded lake cleanup efforts to also include the removal of multiple concrete dock sections found on various shorelines. Changing legislation regarding allowable dock materials has resulted in increased lake pollution. Some Individuals who are replacing docks materials to be in compliance with new codes, and who are unwilling or unable to responsibly remove the old materials, are simply allowing the lake current to carry the debris away What we have Accomplished Extraction of a shoreline grounded structure weighing thousands of pounds Towing it to a location where the concrete could be broken up, steel frame dissected, and foam flotation removed and responsibly disposed of Location and extraction of enough abandoned Styrofoam flotation blocks to fill a 20’ cargo trailer The load was then towed to a land fill for disposal

Water Testing 110 Samples Collected Go Back 2023 Results 2024 Results 2025 Results Prevention is far better than remediation. The NLPA consulted with experts within TDEC and UT to determine what four critical pollutant indicators that we should include in water quality testing. Ammonia : Elevated levels via direct means, such as municipal discharges, animal/human waste, and agricultural runoff. Normal range is 0.01-0.50 mg/L. Cause for immediate concern is 2.5 Nitrate : Major sources of nitrate contamination can be from fertilizers, animal waste, and human sewage. A nitrate-nitrogen normal range is 0.2-3.0 mg/L. Conductivity : A measure of the ionic content (such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate, sodium, magnesium, calcium, or iron) in a body of water by measuring the water’s ability to conduct electricity; a large variance to a site's typical reading may mean that a pollution event has occurred. Freshwater lakes typically have a range of 100 - 2,000. pH : Optimal pH level for fish ranges from 6.5 to 9.0. At levels outside this range, fish become susceptible to poisoning from toxic chemicals. Changes in pH can also cause an overload of available plant nutrients, resulting in excessive plant growth and depleted oxygen levels for fish. Water Testing1 Testing Training IMG_4178 Water Testing1 1/5

The NLPA worked with the East Tennessee Environmental Educators (ETEE) to install two signs near the Sunset Bay Marina. The signs have information about invasive species and how you can help stop the spread of invasive species in lakes. Invasives and Watercraft Story Go Back Nov 20, 2023 The NLPA worked with the East Tennessee Environmental Educators (ETEE) The NLPA worked with the East Tennessee Environmental Educators (ETEE) to install two signs near the Sunset Bay Marina. One sign is located at the entrance to the boat ramp and the other near the entrance onto the Sunset Bay Marina. The signs have information about invasive species and how you can help stop the spread of invasive species in lakes. Inspecting and properly cleaning your watercraft before and after you put it in the lake is vital to keeping the lake free of invasive species. It is important that you also make sure our guests who bring their watercraft to the lake also understand these guidelines. It takes all of us to do our part to help keep the lake clean and allow everyone to enjoy it for years to come. The signs were designed and installed by the East Tennessee Environmental Educators (ETEE) and the Norris Lake Protection Alliance (NLPA). They were paid for through a grant obtained by the ETEE from the East Tennessee Development District. If you have any questions or would like to support ongoing efforts to keep Norris blue, please contact us.

Trash Collection Large Go Back and Small Large Surface Debris Stepping up to address new issues on Norris Lake Changing legislation regarding allowable dock materials has resulted in increased lake pollution. Some Individuals who are replacing docks materials to be in compliance with new codes, and who are unwilling or unable to responsibly remove the old materials, are simply allowing the lake current to carry the debris away. See our Efforts in Pictures Litter and Trash Hardworking volunteers make this happen multiple times a year NLPA teams with Norris Lake Project (NLP) and volunteers to clean up trash on both the lake and land. Volunteers pilot boats to take volunteers back and forth from the Marina to nearby cleanup sites. Volunteers Assist in picking up trash at the cleanup sites. Recent and generous and targeted donations has allowed the NLPA claim ownership of a boat to be retro-fitted for purpose. See our Efforts in Pictures

Tips to keep your dock from pests, including manual removal, the use of essential oils to repel insects, and the contact information for a local professional. Dock Care Pest Management Go Back Download Safely Deal with Spiders et al Mechanically remove spiders and mud-dauber wasps with a long-handled brush. Make sure that you remove the egg sacks and nests regularly. They will continue to hatch out from past unremoved egg sacks however continued vigilance will demonstrate fewer spiders and webs over time. Use essential oils to deter pests from getting established on your dock. These oils have a strong scent that interferes with how insects navigate and communicate with each other. It repels spiders, wasps, hornets, boxelders, Asian Beetles, and several other nuisance insects. Fill a spray bottle with water and 15 drops of essential oil (peppermint, cedarwood, tea tree, vetiver, orange, cinnamon). Spray your dock, especially where spiders might build a web. If these methods aren’t producing the desired results, you may choose to call a professional. Norris Lake Pressure Washing (865)-498-9121 Invasive Pests in Tennessee

The NLPA is sustained by the volunteer spirit of involved Norris Lake Community members. If you care about Norris Lake and the quality of the water please consider getting involved. It’s as easy as emailing the NLPA to help KEEP NORRIS BLUE! KeepNorrisBlue@gmail.com Volunteer Support NLPA Get Involved Go Back Whatever your skill, there is something you can do to help NLPA achieve its mission to preserve Norris Lake for the enjoyment of future generations. We have committees for marketing, communications, water testing, finance, and more. Please lend a hand and get to know some great people who feel as passionately as you do about our cause. Address P.O. Box 27 Sharps Chapel, TN 37866 Facebook www.facebook.com/NorrisLakeProtectionAlliance/ Phone Todd Thiele – President 612-363-1429 eMail KeepNorrisBlue@gmail.com

Email, Facebook, phone number for the Norris Lake Protection Alliance/NLPA/Keep Norris Blue Contact Us Go Back Address P.O. Box 27 Sharps Chapel, TN 37866 Facebook www.facebook.com/NorrisLakeProtectionAlliance/ Phone Todd Thiele – President 612-363-1429 eMail KeepNorrisBlue@gmail.com Meet the Team Todd Thiele President Janet Stout Director Water Testing LeahNe Thiele Vice President Cathy Peterson Technology Consultant Darlene Doran Treasurer

This page provides educational links for all interested in what they can do individually to keep Norris Lake healthy through proper lawn, dock and boat care. Make a Positive Impact on Norris Lake Go Back Lawn Care Whether you live on the ridge or lakeshore, what is applied to the surfaces WILL run off into the lake. If you choose to fertilize, consider phosphorus free products. Read More Dock Care Pest Control Read More Learn how to repels spiders, wasps, hornets, boxelders, Asian Beetles, and several other nuisance insects from your dock. Environmentally Safe Cleaning Products Your dock’s surrounding waters are home to marine life that needs protection during cleaning processes. Furthermore, it’s crucial not to pollute them with motor oil, lubricants, or other substances—one pint can pollute an acre! Utilizing appropriate cleaning solutions and wastewater collection systems is paramount to prevent your lake, river, or bay from becoming polluted with harmful chemicals that could threaten its surrounding ecosystem. Dock Care and Safe Cleaning options More Info on Cleaning Docks Safer Choice / US EPA Boat Care Boats are the most common way for invasive species to contaminate lakes. Clean, drain and treat your boat and trailer if you take it from on body of water to another. Read More Stop Algae Blooms Many lakes around the country - and the communities that rely on them for recreation and economic benefit - have begun to watch more closely what chemicals enter the water. Ammonia and phosphorus are just two of the chemicals causing concerns - but it’s one that is found in many everyday household cleaners. They can often be found in dish soap, laundry detergent and common multi-purpose cleaners. If too much phosphorus or ammonia enter a lake, it can cause health concerns for both humans and aquatic life. Both substances can increase nutrient pollution, which could lead to algae blooms and the depletion of oxygen in the water. Other chemicals and cleaning agents can be toxic and directly harm aquatic organisms or people who use a lake or river as a source for recreation activities. Some other chemicals to avoid include bleach, chlorine bleach, triclosan, petroleum solvents and phthalates. Always read product descriptions to check for these potentially harmful ingredients. When deciding what types of cleaners to use, check to be certain the product you use does not contain phosphorus - or any other chemical that may be banned by officials overseeing the waterbody. Find and use a biodegradable, phosphate-free cleaner with a neutral pH to clean your dock. Again, a good source for recommended safe products can be found at the EPA website. Download

The Norris Lake Protection Alliance (NLPA - Keep Norris Blue) is a non-profit environmental preservation group serving the Norris Lake community through education, water testing, surface trash removal and sunken boat debris removal. Just for fun: email your lake and community shots to add to the slide show! Find Out who we are Find Out who we are Find Out who we are Find Out who we are Find Out What We Do Find Out What We Do Find Out What We Do Find Out What We Do Let us know what you think Let us know what you think Let us know what you think Let us know what you think

The Norris Lake Protection Alliance (NLPA - Keep Norris Blue) is a non-profit environmental preservation group serving the Norris Lake community through education, water testing, surface trash removal and sunken boat debris removal. Think Green Keep Norris Blue Go Back NLPA Vision Representing the Norris Lake community for the health and welfare of all NLPA Values Honest, committed, environmentally aware, promoting long-term health and sustainability, open to new perspectives on how to preserve our lake Support Us Operates entirely on donations and volunteer talent. Together we can create a positive impact in the community. GoFundMe Check Get Involved

This page provides educational information for all interested in what they can do to keep Norris Lake healthy from contamination for current and future generations by following tips for boat cleaning. Boat Care Invasive Species Control Go Back Watercraft Recommendations Download Clean, drain, and treat your boat if you take it from one body of water to another Boats are the most common way for invasive species to contaminate lakes. Of course, the best precaution is not to take your boat to another waterbody. But if you must, here’s how to clean your boats before you bring them back to our lakes – according to the regulations. NYS mandates reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of invasive species by boat traffic. Reasonable precautions are to clean, drain, and treat before launching your boat into a body of water – or relaunching it back home. Cleaning means that any visible plant or animal materials have been removed from the boat and disposed away from the waterbody. Draining removes water from the watercraft and the watercraft’s motor, bilge, and all other areas of the watercraft. Drain offsite and so that drained water, potentially carrying invasives, does not run into any waterbody. Treat the watercraft. Treat by at least one of three methods: air drying, rinsing or, as a last resort, towel drying. Air Dry either in dry, warm conditions or subfreezing temperatures. Air dry watercraft and trailers, uncovered, out of the water, and exposed to the sun or in a heated building for at least five days. Alternatively, store watercraft and trailers in continuous subfreezing temperatures for at least three days. Rinse Follow the steps as appropriate to the watercraft. In all cases make sure the water used does not drain into a waterbody. Rinse hull and other external areas or equipment with high pressure (2,500 psi) hot water (140 degrees F) for 30 seconds. Flush water cooled motors with water for two minutes. Flush the bilge area, live wells, bait wells and other water-holding compartments with hot water at a temperature of 140 degrees F for 30 seconds. If hot water is not available, thoroughly rinse the boat hull and flush water holding compartments with the warmest water available. Clean cold water is acceptable only if it is the only water available. Towel Dry Use in cases where the watercraft cannot be air dried or rinsed. Towel dry all portions of the watercraft hull, engine, trailer and associated equipment that have been in contact with one waterbody prior to launching in another waterbody. Notice that just taking the visible plants, animals, and mud off the boats is never enough. NYS DEC guidance on cleaning boats

Since 2023, NLPA volunteers have gathered and tested water samples from designated areas on Norris Lake. The testing results (average of the sites) are published, and provided to our specialist contacts. Water Testing 2025 Results Go Back Keeping Ahead of Problems Click on image to launch PDF (downloadable and easier to read) Water Testing is dependent on Norris Lake water levels.