A Really Good Idea

[Pocono]

Every now and then, your community does something that's good for the waters in your area. Last Fall, the town that we live in now; Merrimac, MA, put in a series of signs on the road that warned against dumping fluids or materials near one of our major waterways; the Merrimack River.

The Merrimack is the second largest river in New England; behind the Connecticut. When I grew up as a kid it was terribly polluted by the factories that used to be operative in the Haverhill, Lawrence and Lowell areas; the final days of the tanniing and shoe industries. In fact, it was categorized as a class H river in those days; which meant, essentially, that if you lit a match and tossed it on the water, there we about a 50:50 chance that it would catch on fire. That's hyperbole, but it was bad. The most outstanding thing about the Merrimack River when I was growing up was it smell.

Fast forward 50 years. THe factories are all shut down; re-purposed to more environmentally friendly uses. The popluation is environmentally conscious, there are no more effluents draining in and it's now a class B river; which means that you can do almost anything you want in it except drink it.

So, here's the good idea that Marty and I recorded today on our walk along the river:

And here are some of the small streams that drain into the Merrimack; some are vernal and go dry in the Summer, but most are spring-fed and stay wet throughout the year:

And here's the river that they're feeding and that the signs are helping to protect:

I think it's a really good idea and I'm happy to be a part of a community that acts in this way on behalf of our natural water resources.

Pocono

 

[littledavid123]

That is a wonderful idea the city has acted upon. Should certainly help the city dwellers understand the consequences of their actions. Thanks for sharing Allen...

Dave

 

[jpbfly]

Good idea indeed:thumbsup:I'm always sad and angry to see what people throw by the waterA few months ago Pierre and I were fishing little stream Boyne...and we discovered a place that Pierre calls Darty( a famous electrical goods store)fridges,TVs,washing machines...found a complete engine by the river too...wonder how they could carry it theretook part in some bank cleanings...you can't imagine what we found!!!

 

[Pocono]

I can imagine, J-P. It's amazing what gets tossed into our rivers, lakes, etc.

In the first pic that I posted, you'll notice an empty water bottle next to the grate............didn't want you guys to think I was living in a truly Utopian area.........

But, it really makes me want to grab a rod and head out onto one of those streams; or even the Merrimack itself............the Atlantic Shad will start their annual up-river run in about another month.

Pocono

 

[FrankB2]

When I was in high school and college, we lived in Yardley, PA. The Delaware River was at the bottom of the long hill we lived on, and our neighbor across the street was the head of a research department for Exxon. Exxon gave its employees oil at no cost, at least not to my neighbor. He was always changing the oil in his family cars, and dumping the old oil down the drain in front of his house!!!! He and I fished together on the Delaware every chance we had. When I was in high school, I thought that the drain led to some mysterious place, and didn't much thought past that. When I found out that it drained into the stream halfway down the hill, and then into the Delaware River, I asked our neighbor to stop dumping his oil into the drain. He went on about the world being made up of chemicals, and that we needn't worry about what environmentalist scare tactics....SERIOUSLY! He was a good guy, but his comfort with oil was not doing the world any favors.

Fast foward close to 20 years, and I ran into my old neighbor at my niece's 16th birthday party. I asked him if he still dumped oil into the drain, and he went on and on about keeping the river clean. He probably did more damage than one person could reverse in a lifetime, but he at least stopped dumping oil into the Delaware.

P.S. I should mention that this section of the Delaware River is NOT the slimey part seen around Philadelphia, and had been transformed once the last of the papermills closed, and other upstream factories stop using the river as their personal garbage can. That's what made my neighbor's oil disposal all the more upsetting.

 

[wt bash]

Environmental concern is not high on Akron's list of priorities. There is a project going on to revamp the sewer and drain problems that keeps the Cuyahoga from making a solid recovery from the days it would and did go on fire. With every significant rain our drains are overwhelmed and it causes our out dated sewer lines to flood and spill into the Hoga. You can smell it, microwavable popcorn, every time I fish it after a rain even well after a rain. However its a 20 some odd year project. The state just doesn't have the budget, in my opinion we are severely under taxed (locally). Our roads suck, and I mean seriously, our public schools are horrible, the general infrastructure is as out dated as bell bottoms and dickies and now there is talk about expanding gas/oil drilling, so there really isn't a lot of hope for community involvement in environmental issues.

 

[littledavid123]

Environmental concern is not high on Akron's list of priorities. There is a project going on to revamp the sewer and drain problems that keeps the Cuyahoga from making a solid recovery from the days it would and did go on fire. With every significant rain our drains are overwhelmed and it causes our out dated sewer lines to flood and spill into the Hoga. You can smell it, microwavable popcorn, every time I fish it after a rain even well after a rain. However its a 20 some odd year project. The state just doesn't have the budget, in my opinion we are severely under taxed (locally). Our roads suck, and I mean seriously, our public schools are horrible, the general infrastructure is as out dated as bell bottoms and dickies and now there is talk about expanding gas/oil drilling, so there really isn't a lot of hope for community involvement in environmental issues.

You might be looking at the oil companies in the wrong light. They will do a better job of policing themselves than the locals will AND when asked nicely will get involved with local projects to help clean up rivers and creeks. They budget monies each year to help the local communities, your biggest fight will be keeping the politicians hands out of the cookie jar to achieve meaningful projects. They have a lot of big equipment at their disposal and don't mind helping if approached by a local chapter of TU or other organized group.

Dave

 

[Rip Tide]

as out dated as bell bottoms and dickies .

.... those are called "buffs" now

 

[dean_mt]

Environmental concern is not high on Akron's list of priorities. There is a project going on to revamp the sewer and drain problems that keeps the Cuyahoga from making a solid recovery from the days it would and did go on fire. With every significant rain our drains are overwhelmed and it causes our out dated sewer lines to flood and spill into the Hoga. You can smell it, microwavable popcorn, every time I fish it after a rain even well after a rain. However its a 20 some odd year project. The state just doesn't have the budget, in my opinion we are severely under taxed (locally). Our roads suck, and I mean seriously, our public schools are horrible, the general infrastructure is as out dated as bell bottoms and dickies and now there is talk about expanding gas/oil drilling, so there really isn't a lot of hope for community involvement in environmental issues.

Wait a minute...are trying to tell us that some taxes actually serve a public good? Socialist! I feel the same way in Montana, after I get my state tax return the amount that our household paid is really really low.

Sorry...back to the OP. Pocono, Missoula has the same note near all the storm drains in town, same little fish picture as well! I've always appreciated the notice, makes so much sense. Also, every so often walking around town you will see a different notice painted on the sidewalk: "Missoula aquifer 'X' feet below" I really like that one too. It's just plain interesting but also so very important.

 

[wt bash]

They will do a better job of policing themselves than the locals will AND when asked nicely will get involved with local projects to help clean up rivers and creeks.

I can see that and also see both sides to the drilling expansion argument (we obviously need both gas and oil) but in a state that doesn't seem to care all that much, how much "policing" will they actually do? Especially when no one will be looking in the first place.

 

[theboz]

.... those are called "buffs" now

Wore a bandana a few years back in the Keys. My son says "You are an old man!"After that comment Im not getting a buff , rather get burnt!

 

[dean_mt]

I'll take a bandanna and some SFP 30. If I get a red-neck after that, so be it!

 

[theboz]

If I ever get a buff it will have to be a custom job. No trout prints or skull designs for me just print on the front of it: IM BEING HELD HOSTAGE PLEASE SET ME FREE!

 

[wt bash]

I guess my "long hair just can't cover up my redeck!" D.A.C.