State and county officials have taken steps to control the damage to lakes by preventing nutrient pollution. But progress has been slow. While government agencies offer grants to farms to help reduce nutrient runoff into public waters, there are few strict regulations that require action except after a major pollution event such as a spill from a manure lagoon.

“There is no quick fix or overnight solution, (and) cleaning up our lakes will take decades,” County Executive Joe Parisi said in a statement. “In the meantime, projects like the Clean Beach Corridor will help allow families to enjoy our beautiful lakes.”

The county Land and Water Resources Department has been working at Mendota County Park on Highway M in the town of Westport to improve access to the lake.

Boulders that had been placed along the water’s edge were removed, with a gentle slope of sand now in its place, county officials said.

The underwater curtain was installed about 100 feet from shore where the water is 3 feet deep to keep contaminants out and prevent sand on the beach and the bottom of the swimming area from being dispersed by wind and currents.