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RALEIGH, N.C. (April 13) – The upcoming event to stencil storm drains, originally slated for April 17, has been rescheduled for May 8. From 9 a.m. – noon, volunteers are needed to stencil storm drains with “No dumping – drains to stream” messages in the Shannamara and Fairfield Plantation subdivisions, located along Stevens Mill Road. The event is sponsored by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the town of Stallings to increase public awareness on the hazards of water pollution in the Goose Creek watershed. Lunch will be provided at the Stallings Town Hall immediately following the stenciling.
This event is an excellent volunteer opportunity for Girl and Boy Scout troops, middle and high school students, church groups and others interested in learning how they can prevent water pollution at home, said Bianca Bradford, Goose Creek outreach and education specialist with the Commission. “We hope that stenciling storm drains in Shannamara and Fairfield Plantation will help make residents more aware of local water-quality problems and prompt them to become more informed about how they can help prevent water pollution at home,” Bradford said. “For instance, residents should never dump water, oil, antifreeze, household grease and other pollutants into storm drains because these storm drains flow directly into the Goose Creek watershed.” Protection of the 42-square-mile Goose Creek watershed is critical, because it is home to the Carolina heelsplitter, a federally protected freshwater mussel found in only six habitats in the world. It also provides habitat for five state-protected mussel species, such as the Eastern creekshell and notched rainbow, Bradford added. “Just as we need clean water in order to survive, so do these mussel species,” Bradford said. “Freshwater mussels are excellent indicators of water quality, so when they are found in a stream, chances are that the water quality is good.” Bradford suggested homeowners heed these other tips to minimize pollution from their property to streams:
Tainted stormwater is not the only threat to Goose Creek. The growth of commercial and residential development in the watershed means that more sediment from construction sites is being carried through storm drains into local creeks. “In fast-growing areas such as Union County, fields and forests are being replaced by impervious surfaces such as roads, driveways and parking lots,” Bradford said. “As areas are covered by these hard surfaces, rain that would normally soak into the soil now flows into the storm drains and, eventually, dumps into the creek. Over time, this large increase in water volume erodes stream banks, creating silt-filled bottoms that smother aquatic wildlife, such as fish eggs and mussels.” Because of sediment and other pollutants, Goose Creek does not meet state standards for safe, recreational wading and support of aquatic wildlife. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the Harris Teeter in the Stevens Mill Crossing shopping center on Stevens Mill Road in Stallings. The town of Stallings will provide everything volunteers need, including paint, stencils, safety vests and refreshments. “We held a similar stenciling event last fall that was a huge success, thanks to all the volunteers who showed up to mark drains in three subdivisions, which were also located in the Goose Creek watershed,” Bradford said. “It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning – having fun while doing something proactive to help protect the environment.” For more information, call Bradford at (704) 567-7014. |
