8 • The Southwest Portland Post FEATURES Dear EarthTalk: Is there a way to get local communities involved in clean- ing up waterways, like rivers, lakes, streams and creeks? – Rebecca, via e-mail Indeed, many of our local waterways have seen better days, thanks to de- cades of pollution. And cleaning them up and preventing further damage can be challenging, since much of the contamination has accumulated over time and results from what is known as “non-point source” pollution, which accounts for as much as 60 percent of the water pollution in the U.S. “When it rains, fertilizer from lawns, oil from driveways, paint and solvent residues from walls and decks and even pet waste are all washed into storm sewers or nearby lakes, rivers and streams—the same lakes, rivers and streams we rely on for drinking water supply, boating, swimming and fishing,” reports the non-profit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “Also, improper handling of materials Make the Switch to DISH Today and Save 50% ** tional Prom r o ices p ly ... g at on startin PACKAGES UNDER $ 50 mo. onths 12 m r for Hoppe ible with . Not elig iPad 2 offer or Prices valid for 12 months. Requires 24-month commitment and credit qualification. ASK ABOUT HIGH SPEED INTERNET AS LOW AS .... 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Please note that we do not carry controlled substances and a valid prescription is required for all prescription medication orders. Prescription price comparison above is valid as of November 1, 2013. All trade-mark (TM) rights associated with the brand name products in this ad belong to their respective owners. *Generic drugs are carefully regulated medications that have the same active ingredients as the original brand name drug, but are generally cheaper in price. Generic equivalents are equal to their "brand" counterparts in Active Ingredients, Dosage, Safety, Strength, Quality, Performance and Intended use. It may vary in colour, shape, size, cost and appearance. January 2014 around the house can lead to pollu- tion.” According to NRDC, each of us can do our part to reduce this run- off pollution and thus help protect local waterways. For one, we can re- place concrete and other hard surfaces around our homes with porous materi- Local community volunteers clean up the Des Moines River. als, so that rainwa- (Photo by Rastoney, courtesy Flickr) ter drains naturally non-profit groups, youth centers and into the ground and not into pathways schools are often looking for ways to get that lead it into waterways. people involved in community service We can landscape with native plants projects, so asking around town might and natural fertilizers, and refrain from be the best way to enlist dozens or more over-watering our lawns and gardens. volunteers. And we can properly dispose of hazard- Another way to get the ball rolling ous products (that is, not right down the is to sign up with American Rivers’ drain), wash our cars at professional National River Cleanup program. In- carwashes (where there are proper dividuals, organizations and anyone wastewater treatment procedures), re- interested in conducting a cleanup on cycle used motor oil, and use non-toxic their local river can register with the alternatives for household chemicals program and get free trash bags as whenever possible. well as assistance with media cover- Of course, there is only so much that age, volunteer promotion and technical individuals can do on their own. While support. preventing pollution at the source is im- The program has helped more than a portant, many waterways have so much million volunteers participate in thou- legacy pollution in them already that sands of cleanups covering more than they need to be cleaned up directly—no 244,500 miles of waterways across the small job and typically way beyond the U.S. since it began in 1991. scope of a few individuals. “These cleanups have removed Some municipal, county or state gov- more than 16.5 million pounds of litter ernments might be inclined to help, but and debris from America’s rivers and getting friends and neighbors involved streams,” reports American Rivers. first is a good way to demonstrate com- munity support. Also, local businesses, (Continued on Page 4)