Get Involved
What can you do?
1. Lawn Fertilizer – minimize or eliminate lawn fertilizer. Some sources estimate that 40% of commercial fertilizer sold goes to non-agricultural uses. Mulching lawn clippings can retain nutrients on the lawn rather than removing them.
2. Roof runoff – direct down spouts to unpaved areas so rainwater can infiltrate into the ground rather than running off into a nearby stormdrain. Rain barrels and rain gardens can help hold initial runoff and use it productively for plants in your yard. In some developed areas, as much as 60% of the sediment pollution damaging streams results from increased runoff.
3. Conserve energy – There are many ways to save energy. As much as one-third of the damaging nitrogen entering Virginia’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay comes from air pollution, of which power plants are a major source. Coal fired power plants also produce mercury that is the cause of widespread fish advisories.
4. Drive less – Combine errands into a single trip, carpool, or use alternative transportation. Auto emissions is the other major source of air pollution that threatens Virginia’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay
5. Talk to your elected officials – tell your state delegates and senators that clean water is important to you and that you want a dedicated funding source for clean water in the General Assembly. Citizens can play an important role to make sure Virginia’s rivers and Chesapeake Bay get the resources they need to be healthy.
Click Here to
Stay Informed
