| We can all care for our streams by protecting them from potential sources
of excess nutrients (such as pet wastes, fertilizers, sediment, leaves
and grass clippings, faulty septic systems, etc.) or other pollutants (oil,
car antifreeze, pesticides, herbicides, etc.) |
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| Buffer/Yard Waste/Runoff concerns: No buffer, grass up to edge of stream,
erosion, NBWL2. When fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are applied to a lawn that
runs to the streams' edge, these materials also end up in the stream. |
You can help by . . .
- Maintaining a freshwater buffer -- a freshwater buffer is an area of natural vegetation including native
shrubbery and other plants that serve as a filter between a potential source
of pollution and a stream, wetland, pond, storm drain, etc. The vegetation
serves as a physical filter, by trapping sediment and other pollutants,
and as a biological filter by taking up nutrients before they reach fresh
water.
- Keeping storm drains free of sediment, lawn clippings, litter, and other
debris -- (Click here to learn more) Lawn clippings can be swept back onto the lawn area to serve as a source
of nutrients and moisture retention.
- Choosing low phosphate or phosphate free detergents -- especially if you are on a sewer line. High levels of phosphates in
our fresh water leads to overgrowth of aquatic vegetation, foul odors,
and depleted oxygen levels. You can help minimize these problems by choosing
low/no phosphate products. Click here for information about phosphate levels in several popular automatic dishwashing
detergents.
- Removing dead leaves -- Don't pile autumn leaves by stream banks or allow them to accumulate
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| Buffer/Yard Waste/Runoff concerns: Grass clippings on bank of Fort Pond Brook, FP7, brush, and leaves piled along the streams' edge, or near storm storm
drains, "fertilize" the water. |
by street storm drains. Leaves can clog waterways, add nutrients to the
water, and decrease water clarity. To get rid of leaves, first mow them
right on your lawn to reduce the volume. Then collect the leaf residue,
and use it as mulch around shrubs or flower beds, or turn it into compost
to enrich your soil. You can compost at home or bring your leaves to the
town's transfer station to be composted.
- Everyday actions you can take at home, in your yard, and driveway. “10 ways YOU Can Help Our Streams (by reducing non point source pollution)”
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