West and Rhode Riverkeeper

Our friends over at Being In Place have put together a nice video detailing a stormwater restoration project in the Magothy River watershed. Check it out!

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2f9f7Cfk1c 640x390]

On September 30, 2010 our area was soaked by the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole. Some areas received as much as 10 inches of rain from this storm. I spent the morning video-documenting various areas in our watershed and how the rain was impacting our waterways.

Galesville Rain Garden:

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqdxXt2G-PE 640x385]
This project was recently completed, and seems to be functioning well. Water is captured from the street and parking lots, and is allowed to soak in rather than go straight into the river. The native plants help soak up the water, and also provide a pleasant landscape.

 

Triton Woods (new development on Mayo Peninsula):

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHlrEM6pFMw 640x385]
This sediment basin fills during large storms and muddy runoff flows under Mayo Road and then into a ditch which carries it to Cadle Creek.

In order to restore the health of our waterways, we must be able to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff. It's time to get serious about stormwater pollution. For more video of stormwater runoff, see http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WestRhode#g/u

 

Snowmaggedon, Snowpocalypse, SnOMG... call it what you will, but the double blizzard definitely affected us all over the last couple weeks. Now, as the snow starts to melt and make it's way into our rivers, it's important to remember what might be in that snow. As you drive to work or to the grocery store, no doubt you have noticed that the once fluffy white snow piles on the side of the roads are now brown, gray, or even black. Dirt, oil, grease, and other nasty stuff which comes from our roadways becomes quite evident when superimposed over the blank canvas of snow. All that pollution makes its way to our rivers and streams. That is one reason we are fighting so hard to fund for solutions to stormwater runoff pollution. Stormwater runoff is the only major source of pollution to the Bay which is actually increasing. It's time to do something about it. Stay tuned to West/Rhode Riverkeeper to find out about state legislation you can support to help us treat this polluted runoff.

The Maryland General Assembly started up this week. I hope everyone is paying attention to the Legislature this year. In such a tough budget climate, we are all going to need to tell our elected officials to protect funding for environmental initiatives. Combine a dire economic forecast with an election year, and who knows what is going to happen. West/Rhode Riverkeeper is teaming with other state and local environmental advocacy groups to promote three priorities: Stormwater ( http://www.mdlcv.org/issues/2010stormwater ), Transportation ( http://www.mdlcv.org/issues/2010transportation ), and protecting the Green Infrastructure Budget ( http://www.mdlcv.org/issues/2010budget ). Keep an eye on how things unfold in the coming weeks - we need to be vigilant to protect our natural environment. We will let you know when we need your help!