Resources
Shoppers Checklist
√ Buy Recycled Products:
• Conserves natural resources by
decreasing the need for virgin
materials
(i.e., timber and oil).
• Saves energy since it takes less
energy to produce recycled products.
• Protects air and water by decreasing emissions of greenhouse gases and
water pollutants.
• Reduces the amount of waste that must be landfilled or incinerated.
• Increases the demand for recyclable products and boosts the market for
products made from recycled materials.
√ Avoid Excess Packaging and Buy in Bulk:
• Choosing concentrated formulas which contain 20% or less water, requires
less packaging and fuel for shipping.
• Choosing products in the largest container size available made with some
recycled content, provides a vital end-market for recycled products and
saves on packaging waste.
√ Look For Phosphate-Free Products:
• Phosphate-free products are readily available.
• When phosphates enter waterways, they act as a fertilizer, spawning
overgrowth of algae.
This overabundance of aquatic plant life depletes the water’s oxygen
supply, killing fish and other organisms, resulting in water pollution.
√ Use Energy Efficient Products:
• Using energy efficient products reduces greenhouse gas emissions from
power plants and helps protect our environment from the risks of global
climate change.
• If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY
STAR qualified bulb, enough energy to light more than 3 million homes
for a year and more than $600 million in annual energy costs would be
saved. Greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than
800,000 cars would be prevented.
• ENERGY STAR qualified lighting provides bright, warm light but uses
about 75% less energy than standard lighting, produces 75 percent less
heat, and lasts up to 10 times longer .
√ Look for Containers That Can Be Recycled.
• Most cleaners are bottled in high-density polyethylene (HDPE, denoted by
the #2 inside the recycling triangle) or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE
denoted by the #1) which are accepted for recycling in your community.
Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Project
CORSICARIVER
Eco-friendly Landscaping
WHY: With summer on its way, the heat is on to get your yard looking its best. With concerns about the environment top of mind, many homeowners are creating eco-friendly landscaping and are finding that environmentally responsible lawns look great, take less maintenance, and saves money. Incorporating eco-friendly landscaping will help you save energy and water, and reduce pollution of the Corsica River and the Chesapeake Bay.
Traditional landscaping and current landscape maintenance practices have harmful impacts. The clearing of native woodlands and other natural habitats for urban/suburban growth and subsequent planting of grounds with manicured lawns and exotic ornamental plants place a great toll on the environment and human health. Traditional landscape requires use of mechanical equipment, consumption of our limited natural resources (water and fossil fuels), frequent application of fertilizers and pesticides, and the generation of large quantities of solid waste. As a result, our surface and ground waters are being polluted; destructive flooding is more commonplace; our neighborhood's tranquility and air quality are compromised by noisy, polluting landscape equipment; and our landfills are being consumed by yard waste.
WHAT: Eco-friendly landscaping contains a number of principles that revolve around balancing our needs and aesthetics with those of nature (our ecosystems). These principles are:
Protect existing natural areas to the greatest extent possible (woodlands and wetlands, stream corridors and meadows).
Incorporate native plants to form the backbone of the landscape. Native plants require less maintenance and less water, they are more resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides. Native plants attract native wildlife and beneficial insects.
Reduce use of turf. Instead, install woodland, meadow or other natural plantings. Where lawns are needed (such as play areas), follow best management practices available from the Queen Anne’s County Cooperative Extension agent.
Reduce use of pesticides, practice integrated pest management – a commonsense approach using the appropriate treatment in recommended amounts that are least harmful to you and the environment. You will help reduce harmful wastewater runoff.
Compost and mulch to eliminate solid waste. You can use organic waste from your home to return needed nutrients to the soil. Composting reduces municipal waste, improves soil moisture retention, boosts plants’ immune systems, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
Reduce use of power landscape equipment. Shrinking the size of the lawn and planting appropriate native species will reduce the need for extensive use of power equipment. Modern reel mowers are a great way to mow the lawn and get exercise at the same time.
Use plantings to reduce heating/cooling needs. Deciduous trees (trees that drop their leaves in the fall) planted appropriately along the south sides of buildings can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 20%; in winter they allow the sun's rays to warm buildings. Coniferous trees (cone-bearing trees) planted to block prevailing NW winter winds can reduce heating costs.
Use rain barrels to irrigate. You can cut back on your water use by storing water in rain barrels and use it to irrigate your garden and landscaping. Plants love it! Using rainwater reduces storm water runoff.
Create additional wildlife habitat to partially compensate for land lost to urban/suburban sprawl. This is especially important along streams where the vegetation can filter runoff, aid in flood control, and provide wildlife corridors.
TAKE THE CORSICA RIVER WATERSHED PLEDGE
Be A Solution To Pollution Through Activities Around Your Yard And Home
The Corsica River Watershed Pledge gives families a chance to prevent storm water pollution by making simple changes around the house. The pledge is a volunteer program that encourages watershed residents to stand together to protect the water quality of the Corsica River and the Chesapeake Bay.
To participate in the Corsica River Watershed Pledge, discuss the activities suggested below with your family to decide which changes you are willing to make to be a solution to pollution.
Then, print the pledge below, and fill out the form by checking the box next to the activities you choose and signing your name in the space identified. You don’t have to pledge to do everything on the list. Once you see how easy it is to make one or two changes, you may decide to make a few more.
Hang your pledge where you and your family will see it everyday. It will be a reminder of the changes you want to make.
We Pledge To:
Reduce pollution from the lawn
□ Choose low-maintenance native plants that require fewer chemicals
and less watering
□ Use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly or use organic alternatives
□ Consider starting a rain garden
□ Not overwater the lawn
□ Use grass clippings as a natural fertilizer
Keep storm water runoff clean
□ Never dump toxic materials down storm drains
□ Sweep up driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing them off
□ Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces
□ Clean up after the pet promptly and dispose of the waste in the trash
or flush it down the toilet
Maintain the car
□ Wash the car on the lawn or gravel with phosphate-free soap
□ Or, take the car to a car wash that recycles wash water
□ Check the car for leaks and recycle motor oil and other car fluids
□ Drive less – walk, bicycle, take the bus or share a ride
Maintain septic systems
□ Have septic system inspected and pumped every 3-5 years
□ Watch for signs of septic tank failure
□ Investigate grant opportunities to retrofit septic system (www.mde.state.md.us)
Buy and use environmentally friendly products
□ Buy recycled products
□ Avoid excess packaging and buy in bulk
□ Look for phosphate-free products
□ Use energy efficient products
Get involved to protect the Corsica River Watershed
□ Participate in community environmental activities and bring
what you learn back to your home, neighborhood, and workplace
Corsica River Watershed Pledge
Eco-Friendly Landscaping
Shoppers Checklist
Previous Tip Of The Month:
Tip of the Month #29
DID YOU KNOW that potted plants,
shrubs and trees planted in your
yard improve stormwater
absorption and contribute to
cleaner waterways? Stormwater
runoff is the fastest growing
source of Chesapeake Bay pollution
and contributes to 20 percent of
Maryland’s nitrogen load to the Bay.
Also, natural landscaping reduces
the need for excessive yard
maintenance and fertilizer use,
conserves water and minimizes
erosion and stormwater runoff.
Native plants and grasses require
less water and fertilizer. They grow
well together and are adapted to
local conditions such as weather and
insects. For a list of plants native
within the Chesapeake Bay
watershed see:
http://plantmoreplants.bcfdev1.com
/downloads/bayscape.pdf
Always remember that what we do
on land affects the Corsica River and
the Chesapeake Bay –
www.corsicariver.org.
Tip of the Month #29 - Erosion
Tip of the Month #28 - Storm Water
Tip of the Month #27 - Rain Barrels
Tip of the Month #25 - Christmas Tree
Tip of the Month #24 - Holiday Tips
Tip of the Month #23 - Green Business
Tip of the Month #22 - Fertilizer
Tip of the Month #21 - Recycle
Tip of the Month #20 - Pavers
Tip of the Month #19 - Save Water
Tip of the Month #18 - Gardening
Tip of the Month #17 - Landscaping
Tip of the Month #16 - Pet Waste
Tip of the Month #15 - $25 Coupon
Tip of the Month #14 - Buy Recycled
Tip of the Month #13 - Buy Green
Tip of the Month #12 - Buy Local
Tip of the Month #11 - Rainwater
Tip of the Month #10 - Car Wash
Tip of the Month #9 - Fertilizer
Tip of the Month #8 - Plant Trees
Tip of the Month #7 - Freecycle
Tip of the Month #6 - Treecycle
Tip of the Month #5 - Old Battery
Tip of the Month #4 - Plastic Bags
Tip of the Month #3 - Motor Oil
Tip of the Month #2 - Pet Waste
Tip of the Month #1 - Rain Barrels
Previous Tip of The Month
10 Ways To Prevent Polution
Plant a Rain Garden
10 Ways To Prevent Polution
BE A SOLUTION TO POLLUTION THROUGH ACTIVITIES AROUND YOUR YARD AND HOME. TOP 10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT POLLUTION:
1. Use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly or use organic alternatives. Whatever you apply to your lawn could find its way to groundwater, streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
2. Choose low-maintenance native plants that require fewer chemicals and less
watering. Consider starting a rain garden.
3. Never dump anything down storm drains. Any water that flows into storm drains flows untreated into the Chesapeake Bay or one of its tributaries.
4. Wash your car on the lawn or gravel, which filter the dirt and soap out of the water. Or, take your car to a car wash that recycles wash water.
5. Check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil and other car fluids.
6. Clean up after your pet and dispose of the waste in the garbage or flush it down the toilet.
7. Sweep up driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing them off. Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces.
8. Buy and use environmentally friendly products. Choose products with recycled content and those that are phosphate-free, non-toxic, and require less energy.
9. Drive less – walk, bicycle, take the bus or share a ride.
10. Participate in community environmental activities and bring what you learn back to your home, neighborhood, and workplace.
Plant a Rain Garden
click here for the printable version
corsicariverconservancy@verizon.net
corsicariverconservancy@verizon.net
Free Septic System Retrofit
The Bay Restoration Fund was created to dramatically reduce the amount of nitrogen that enters our surface waters. Some of those sources, such as discharge from wastewater treatment plants, can easily be traced to its original source and treated. Other sources, such as those from individual onsite sewage disposal systems (OSDS) commonly known as septic systems may seem insignificant on a small scale but in the big picture they discharge the same amount of nitrogen as a large wastewater treatment plant. Did you know that the average residential OSDS discharges approximately 40 pounds of nitrogen per year? If you live in the Critical Area (land within 1000’ of a tidal body of water) you can expect 80% or 32 pounds per year to reach the surface waters. The truth of the matter is that no matter how far away you think you might be from a body of water that ultimately drains to the Chesapeake Bay, your OSDS could still be responsible for 40% or 16 pounds per year of nitrogen contribution. Assuming that you live in the Critical Area on an OSDS for 30 years you can expect your contribution to be a total of approximately 960 pounds. Your current OSDS was never designed to remove nitrogen. You can help voluntarily reduce the amount of your nitrogen contribution by nearly half simply by replacing your current septic tank with a best available technology (BAT) for nitrogen reduction. You won’t need to replace your current drainfield if it’s functioning properly. Best of all, it’s FREE. The program requires that you fill out an application, get 3 bids for installation, and then you’ll receive a check from the Comptroller’s Office that will pay 100% of the cost to: Purchase the BAT unit,
Purchase the BAT unit, Install the BAT unit (includes electrical connection),
Install the BAT unit (includes electrical connection), Pay for the first 5 years of an operation & maintenance contract.
Pay for the first 5 years of an operation & maintenance contract. You can find out more about the program and get an application by visiting the website of the Maryland Department of the Environment by clicking on the following link http://www.mde.state.md.us/water/cbwrf/osds/. For a free onsite consultation about the program please call toll free 1-800-633-6101 ext. 3678.
Free Septic System Retrofit
Learn How to Make a Rain Barrel
Step 1 - Inflow - Cut a hole in the top of
barrel to allow rainwater to enter the barrel
and to access the inside of the barrel. The
hole should be just large enough to snugly fit
the 1gallon plastic bucket, tub or flowerpot.
The bucket will be used to support a screen
to keep mosquitoes and debris out. Cut a
3/4 inch holes in the bucket.
Step 2 - Spigot - Drill a 3/4 inch hole close
to bottom of the 55 gallon barrrel2. Put
teflon tape on the 1/2 inch bushing and
thread it into the silcock or hose bib. Now
carefully thread the other end of bushing into
the ¾ inch hole in bottom of barrel. It should
fit snugly in the hole and cut threads in the
plastic as you screw it in. Now unscrew it
from the barrel, apply teflon tape to the
threads of the bushing and apply silicone to
the outside of the flange on the silcock.
Screw it back into the hole and into a 1/2
inch socket on the inside of the barrel.
Step 3 - Down Spout Modification -
Prepare the area under the down spout
where you want to install the rain barrel.
Remove the old down spout and splash
block and level the area where the barrel will
sit. Place the concrete blocks so they are
sloped slightly downward away from the
house. Set the barrel on the blocks. With a
hacksaw cut the down spout so it is just long
enough to fit into the bucket on top of the
rain barrel.
Step 4 - Overflow - You should provide an
overflow for water if the barrel fills to the top.
With a jig saw, cut a hole in the side of the
barrel large enough to fit the 2 inch male
threaded by 2 inch pipe adapter. Place this
fitting inside the barrel and thread it into the
2 inch female threaded by 2 inch PVC elbow
on the outside of the barrel. Seal with
silicone. Cut a length of 2 inch PVC pipe
long enough to reach the ground. Attach a 2
inch PVC elbow to the bottom of this pipe
and cut another length of 2 inch pipe to
connect to a splash block.
2 Don't drill the hole too far down inside
the barrel where you can't reach it from the
access hole on top (or else you may need the
help of a friend with very long arms)!
How Can I Make a Rain Barrel?
Materials
1 - 55 gallon polyethylene plastic barrel1
1 - 10 foot length of 2 inch PVC pipe
1 - 2 inch PVC elbow
1 - 2 inch female threaded by 2 inch PVCelbow
1 - 2 inch male threaded by 2 inch pipeadapter
1 - tube silicone sealer/cement
1 - 1/2 inch female threaded silcock (aka outdoor faucet or hose bib)
1 - 1/2 inch threaded bushing
1 - 1/2 inch female threaded socket
1 - roll teflon tape
1 - 1 foot by 2 foot piece of old or newscreen fabric
1 - 1gallon plastic bucket, tub or flowerpot
4 - cinder blocks
Optional - paint to match your house color
Tools
Jig Saw
Power Drill with 3/4 inch Spade Bit
Scissors
Pipe Wrench and Pump Pliers
Screw Driver
Hack Saw
Tape Measure
Level
1 Plastic barrels or drums may be
available for free or low cost from commercial car
washes, bottling companies or other food
businesses that utilize liquids.
TAKE THE CORSICA RIVER WATERSHED QUIZ
Click the "Submit" button to see the correct answers.
1. What is a watershed?
2. What are some of the ways that humans impact watersheds?
3. What happens as a watershed becomes more urban (with more buildings and roadways)?
4. How much storm water runoff is produced by a one-acre parking lot compared to a one-acre field?
5. Which of the following has the greatest percentage of impervious cover in urban areas?
6. How can water collected in a rain barrel be used?
7. How many fecal coliform bacteria are produced by the average-sized dog dropping?
8. What can you do to protect or improve the health of the Corsica River Watershed?
Corsica River Watershed Quiz
PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET
Pet Waste Affects Water Quality
Every time it rains, the potential exists for thousands of pounds of pet waste to wash down storm drains, into the Corsica River, and the Chesapeake Bay. If not disposed of properly, pet waste flows directly into nearby streams and creeks without being treated at wastewater treatment facilities.
Pet waste can contain bacteria that threaten the health of animals and people, especially children. Pet waste also contains nutrients that encourage excess weed and algae growth. Excess nutrients are a major cause of water quality decline in the Chesapeake Bay.
When pet waste is allowed to be washed into storm drains by rain or melting snow, the waste decays, using up oxygen and releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish and other aquatic life.
What’s the Problem?
When pet waste is disposed of improperly, water quality isn’t the only thing that suffers — your health may be at risk, too.
Adults working in their gardens, children playing outside and family pets are the most at risk for infection from bacteria and parasites found in pet waste. Diseases that can be transmitted from pet waste include:
Salmonellosis: the most common bacterial infection transmitted to humans by other animals. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting and diarrhea.
Toxocariasis: roundworms usually transmitted from dogs to humans, often without noticeable symptoms, but may cause vision loss, a rash, fever or cough.
Toxoplasmosis: a parasite carried by cats that can cause birth defects if a woman becomes infected during pregnancy, and can also be a problem for people with depressed immune systems. Symptoms include: headache, muscle aches, and lymph node enlargement.
What Can You Do?
• Pick up pet waste from your yard. It is not a fertilizer.
• Carry disposable bags while walking your dog to pick up and dispose of waste properly. When you dispose of pet waste in the trash, wrap it carefully to avoid spilling during collection.
• Flush your pet’s waste down the toilet, so it can be treated at a sewage treatment plan
• The Town of Centreville has a Pet Waste Ordinance (#19-2007) to protect the quality of water resources in and surrounding Centreville that states: “All persons owning or in charge of a dog, cat, or other domesticated household pet shall immediately and properly dispose of their pet’s solid waste deposited on any property, public or private, not owned or possessed by that person.”
Pick Up After Your Pet
Organic Lawn Product Coupon
Get Your Feet Wet,
Join the Riverlution!
Landscaping Companies
Automotive Businesses BMPs
Phosphorus-Free Fertilizer Coupon
Fertilizing Your Lawn
Environmental Benefits of Farmers Market
Learn How to Install a Rain Barrel
Permeable Pavers
