Several of Wyoming’s streams are considered “impaired” by the EPA because rain and snowmelt have washed sediments and pollutants into the water. Now, the Teton Conservation District is hoping to educate people about what they can do to mitigate the problem.
The group’s natural resources specialist, Rachel Daluge, says materials from construction sites– as well as sand from roads– often ends up in waterways, which can harm fish and aquatic plants.
Daluge says cities and construction site managers can install various types of barriers to catch some of the problematic materials, and she says private citizens can also help out.
“When you do have hazardous household waste like pesticides or fertilizer, just make sure that you’re following the recommended amount to put down on your ground, for example for herbicide or fertilizer,” Daluge said.
The Teton Conservation District will host a workshop on Friday at 11:30 a.m. in Jackson about how to minimize problems associated with storm-water runoff.
