Education:  Over the next five years MSD is going to place a great deal of emphasis on both internal and external training on stormwater related issues. Of primary importance will be the EPSC Ordinance, illicit discharges to the streams, controlling runoff pollution from paved/maintained surfaces, preservation and restoration of riparian areas, and pollution prevention for herbicides and pesticides. MSD also participates heavily in the formation and activities of a number of volunteer environmental monitoring projects. Newsletters, pamphlets, videos and newspaper articles will be used to get the information to the property owners within Jefferson County. Training and other educational tools will also be used to educate MSD personnel, consultants and contractors that work for MSD.

Some educational topics include:

• Mulch, not Fertilize:  Many people are under the impression that the only way to obtain a healthy lawn is by fertilizing. This is not true. A healthy lawn can be maintained by simply mulching the lawn clippings and allowing them to remain on the lawn. By allowing the lawn clippings to remain, nutrients in the clippings are absorbed into the soil and fertilize the lawn.

If a property owner chooses to fertilize the lawn, fertilizer should be used sparingly and applied only at the appropriate time of the year. See section titled "Responsible Use (or no use) of Lawn Chemicals)".

• Composting:  Compost your biodegradable waste. It is easy to make compost at home. Used in your garden or spread on your lawn, flowerbed, or around trees, compost acts as a natural fertilizer, lightens the soil, and produces healthier plants. You can compost kitchen scraps (including eggshells and coffee grounds), animal manure, grass clippings, leaves, and plant trimmings by making a simple heap in your backyard or creating a bin. To prevent odors and speed up the decomposition process, occasionally aerate your compost pile by turning it over and mixing. If the center of the pile becomes dry, add some water as you turn it over. You may want to shred your waste, since small scraps decay more quickly.

• Responsible Use (or no use) of Lawn Chemicals:  Test soil before applying fertilizers. Over-fertilization is a common problem, and excess use of fertilizer can increase contamination to groundwater and streams. Avoid using fertilizers near surface waters. If necessary, use slow-release fertilizers on areas where the potential for water contamination is high. Select the proper season to apply fertilizers because applying fertilizers at an improper time can promote weed growth and stress grass growth. Do not apply fertilizers before or during a rain due to the likelihood the fertilizer will be washed into the stream.

If you fertilize your lawn, calibrate your applicator before applying the fertilizer. As equipment ages, annual adjustments may be needed.

If you elect to use a professional lawn care service, select a company that employs trained technicians and follows practices designed to minimize the use of fertilizers.

• No Littering:  Street litter, such as plastic bags, paper and cups often get swept away with rainwater, entering into storm drains and eventually ending up in the streams and later, rivers. A great deal of litter is plastic. Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down. Recycle as much of trash as possible and put all litter in garbage cans. Never throw trash in the street or down a storm drain. If you see trash on the ground, pick it up and toss it in the nearest trash can.

• No Dumping:

Grass Clippings and Leaves:   Grass clippings and leaf debris can "choke out" the plants and animals within the stream. Never dump grass and leaf litter into a stream or catch basin. When the grass and leaf material break down it can increase nutrients, decrease oxygen, and cause death of aquatic organisms. The result is a degraded stream with reduced biodiversity.

Oil/Antifreeze:  Motor oil and antifreeze contaminates water and can damage or kill plants and animals. Never pour used motor oil or antifreeze down a storm drain, on to the soil, or into a waterway. Put used oil or antifreeze in a sturdy container and take it to a recycling center.

Animal Waste Collection:   Animal wastes contribute significantly to the number of bacteria and organic matter in storm water runoff. This problem is particularly serious because the wastes are deposited directly into the streams. Animal wastes can be controlled by the collection and removal of the waste from curbsides, yards, parks, roadways and other areas where the waste can be washed directly into streams. Closed containers are required for proper disposal of animal waste.

Would You Like To Participate?

Watershed Groups:  Jefferson County has numerous community groups dedicated to the conservation and protection of waterways and watersheds. Important components of these groups include community service, community education, and guidance to potential developers within the watershed. The Beargrass Creek Task Force (BCTF), the Friends of Beargrass Creek (FOBC), the Association of Chenoweth Run Environmentalists (ACRE), the Community Alliance, and the Floyds Fork Environmental Association (FFEA) are just a few of the many active environmental groups within the community.

Clean Sweeps:  There are several watershed-based environmental groups that have developed their own watershed protection programs. A common activity of these groups is an annual "creek sweep" or creek clean-up day. Participants clean trash and debris from within the creek. Examples include Beargrass Creek Clean Sweep and Ohio River Clean Sweep.

Volunteer Monitoring:  MSD has assisted and sponsored various volunteer projects including those involved with water quality monitoring, revegetation efforts, hazardous materials disposal, clean sweeps, and watershed focus groups. MSD remains committed to promoting environmental stewardship internally, externally in conjunction with other agencies and bodies, and also with our customers.

Adopt a Stream Programs:  MSD is currently working on establishing an "Adopt-A-Stream" network similar to efforts in many other cities and counties. MSD has entered this language into the new Storm Water Permit with the Environmental Protection Agency in order to solidify its commitment to its customers and the environment. MSD will provide bags, gloves and t-shirts to any group that will adopt a section of a local stream. MSD will also pick up and dispose of collected litter and debris.

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