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Is
Your Local River Polluted?
The Winooski River Watershed is an area of
land where all water travels to the lowest point, the Winooski River.
On its way, the water travels over the land, across fields, forest, lawns
and city streets, and under ground. It eventually enters the Winooski
River, which flows into Lake Champlain. The table to the right summarizes
all the rivers and lakes in the Winooski Watershed that are polluted*.
Is your local river listed?
The Trend
According to the table, stormwater is the number one pollution problem
in our watershed. Stormwater is rain water or snowmelt that runs
off rooftops and pavement. Stormwater picks up everything in its
path and carries it down hill and into storm drains where it is
directed into nearby rivers. Essentially, the more rooftops and
pavement, the more stormwater pollution.
The
Silver Bullet
What will it truly take to mitigate these pollution
problems and restore the Winooski watershed to safe
and clean historic conditions? The answer is LEEEP.
Legislation
Education
Enforcement
Ethics
Participation
The District is focusing on the five facets of LEEEP to “tip” local activities
in favor of natural resource conservation, assist landowners in utilizing
sound land management practices, and educate the community so they
can, on their own, adopt personal conservation ethics that act as
the true vehicle for change. The District coordinates with other nearby,
like-minded agencies (see “Partners
in Conservation” on page 3) to share resources and ideas and to
ultimately put best management practices on the ground.
Act Now
If you would like to protect the natural resources of your watershed
but don’t know where to begin, start by supporting a local organization
that shares your concerns and already has the capacity to address
LEEEP all at once. Act now by becoming a volunteer, intern, District
Board Supervisor (see
page 7), or donor/member of the Winooski District or other likeminded
organization.
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Winooski
NRCD Mission Statement
. To ensure the wise use, protection and enhancement of Vermont's natural
resources through the use of local initiatives, education and partnerships
. To foster public awareness and appreciation for the value and need for
natural resource conservation
. To advance the understanding that we are all stewards of the living
earth.
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