Muddy Water Watch Class to Train Volunteers on Sediment and Erosion Control
Winston-Salem, NC, May 10, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Sediment and erosion, releasing dirt and contaminates into storm drains and creeks is the leading cause of water pollution in the Yadkin River Basin. According to EPA Region IV and N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR), they receive more public complaints about sediment than any other environmental concern. Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc invites community members to help stem the flood of sediment impacting our rivers, streams and drinking water supplies by participating in a two-day Muddy Water Watch training class to help enforce the erosion and sedimentation laws in North Carolina.
The purpose of the Muddy Water Watch (MWW) program is to train volunteers in identifying sediment and erosion control problems at active construction sites, and procedures for working with regulatory officials to correct sediment and erosion problems. Yadkin Riverkeeper is looking for MWW volunteers to: monitor construction sites and take pictures of potential violations; document and report off-site sedimentation and waterways that are polluted with excessive sediment; learn how to use several data storage websites; take aerial photographs after heavy rainfalls; and much more. No previous knowledge of erosion and sediment control is needed, just a motivation to learn and protect our water resources.
Muddy Water Watch workshops begin on Saturday, May 16th at the Southside Public Library, 3185 Buchanan St. in Winston-Salem, N.C., from 10:00am until 2:00 pm, and continue on May 23, for a total of two sessions. Additionally, participants will make at least one visit to an active construction site. The workshop includes volunteer guidance and training, understanding existing laws and regulations to control sediment runoff, instructions on the use training materials, construction site visits and guest speakers from the City of Winston Salem. Classes are open to the public, and no registration fee is required. For additional information, or to register for the classes, please visit https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org or call (336) 293-8105.
Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 environmental non-profit headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C. Its mission is to advocate for and secure protection and enhancement of the Yadkin River, its lakes, tributaries and watershed so that it will always sustain the human and wildlife populations that depend on it for life. To learn more about Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc., please visit: http://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org.
About Muddy Water Watch:
Muddy Water Watch (MWW) is a state-wide initiative to reduce stormwater runoff from construction sites by providing training workshops and materials developed specifically for citizens on the NC Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973 and the NC NPDES General Permit for construction stormwater runoff. Over the course of this two year project, trained volunteers will be able to properly identify sedimentation and erosion violations from active construction sites, as well as poorly maintained Best Management Practices (BMP’s). MWW involves all 9 North Carolina Riverkeepers, including Yadkin Riverkeeper®. This partnership also involves Southern Environmental Law Center, Conservation Council of N.C. and other water shed groups across the state to help stem the tide of sediment— NC’s #1 water pollution problem—from further impacting our rivers, streams and drinking water supplies. To date, more than 400 Muddy Water Watch Volunteers across the state have reported over 250 non-compliant construction sites. Yadkin Riverkeeper plans to train over 100 volunteers in the Yadkin River Basin from 2009-2011 to help improve compliance with the N.C. Sedimentation Pollution Control Act to better protect our water resources. For more information about Muddy Water Watch, please visit www.muddywaterwatch.org .
About Dean Naujoks:
Dean Naujoks is the Yadkin Riverkeeper, employed by Yadkin Riverkeeper Inc since the fall of 2008 to manage and implement a river advocacy program for the Yadkin Pee Dee River watershed in North Carolina that will keep it a healthy and vibrant river for residents and businesses in the long term. Yadkin Riverkeeper is a licensed member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, which connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice and champion clean water for waterways and their communities worldwide. A longtime water quality advocate, Naujoks became the first Upper Neuse Riverkeeper in 2001 at the nonprofit Neuse River Foundation. His job there was to monitor conditions and advocate for protection of the Neuse River from Falls Lake to Goldsboro. He was appointed by Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker to serve on the joint government PCB Task Force to address PCB contamination in Crabtree Creek from Ward Transformer. Dean also created the statewide Muddy Water Watch Project in 2007, helping train more than 400 Muddy Water Watch volunteers across the state. A graduate of N.C. State, Naujoks created his own major in environmental policy and sustainable development. He also worked for the NC Wildlife Federation from 1991-1999.
Dean Naujoks
Yadkin Riverkeeper®:
2435 Westfield Ave.
Winston-Salem, N.C
www.yadkinriverkeeper.org
###
The purpose of the Muddy Water Watch (MWW) program is to train volunteers in identifying sediment and erosion control problems at active construction sites, and procedures for working with regulatory officials to correct sediment and erosion problems. Yadkin Riverkeeper is looking for MWW volunteers to: monitor construction sites and take pictures of potential violations; document and report off-site sedimentation and waterways that are polluted with excessive sediment; learn how to use several data storage websites; take aerial photographs after heavy rainfalls; and much more. No previous knowledge of erosion and sediment control is needed, just a motivation to learn and protect our water resources.
Muddy Water Watch workshops begin on Saturday, May 16th at the Southside Public Library, 3185 Buchanan St. in Winston-Salem, N.C., from 10:00am until 2:00 pm, and continue on May 23, for a total of two sessions. Additionally, participants will make at least one visit to an active construction site. The workshop includes volunteer guidance and training, understanding existing laws and regulations to control sediment runoff, instructions on the use training materials, construction site visits and guest speakers from the City of Winston Salem. Classes are open to the public, and no registration fee is required. For additional information, or to register for the classes, please visit https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org or call (336) 293-8105.
Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 environmental non-profit headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C. Its mission is to advocate for and secure protection and enhancement of the Yadkin River, its lakes, tributaries and watershed so that it will always sustain the human and wildlife populations that depend on it for life. To learn more about Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc., please visit: http://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org.
About Muddy Water Watch:
Muddy Water Watch (MWW) is a state-wide initiative to reduce stormwater runoff from construction sites by providing training workshops and materials developed specifically for citizens on the NC Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973 and the NC NPDES General Permit for construction stormwater runoff. Over the course of this two year project, trained volunteers will be able to properly identify sedimentation and erosion violations from active construction sites, as well as poorly maintained Best Management Practices (BMP’s). MWW involves all 9 North Carolina Riverkeepers, including Yadkin Riverkeeper®. This partnership also involves Southern Environmental Law Center, Conservation Council of N.C. and other water shed groups across the state to help stem the tide of sediment— NC’s #1 water pollution problem—from further impacting our rivers, streams and drinking water supplies. To date, more than 400 Muddy Water Watch Volunteers across the state have reported over 250 non-compliant construction sites. Yadkin Riverkeeper plans to train over 100 volunteers in the Yadkin River Basin from 2009-2011 to help improve compliance with the N.C. Sedimentation Pollution Control Act to better protect our water resources. For more information about Muddy Water Watch, please visit www.muddywaterwatch.org .
About Dean Naujoks:
Dean Naujoks is the Yadkin Riverkeeper, employed by Yadkin Riverkeeper Inc since the fall of 2008 to manage and implement a river advocacy program for the Yadkin Pee Dee River watershed in North Carolina that will keep it a healthy and vibrant river for residents and businesses in the long term. Yadkin Riverkeeper is a licensed member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, which connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice and champion clean water for waterways and their communities worldwide. A longtime water quality advocate, Naujoks became the first Upper Neuse Riverkeeper in 2001 at the nonprofit Neuse River Foundation. His job there was to monitor conditions and advocate for protection of the Neuse River from Falls Lake to Goldsboro. He was appointed by Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker to serve on the joint government PCB Task Force to address PCB contamination in Crabtree Creek from Ward Transformer. Dean also created the statewide Muddy Water Watch Project in 2007, helping train more than 400 Muddy Water Watch volunteers across the state. A graduate of N.C. State, Naujoks created his own major in environmental policy and sustainable development. He also worked for the NC Wildlife Federation from 1991-1999.
Dean Naujoks
Yadkin Riverkeeper®:
2435 Westfield Ave.
Winston-Salem, N.C
www.yadkinriverkeeper.org
###
Contact
Yadkin Riverkeeper
Dean Naujoks
919-233-6600
www.yadkinriverkeeper.org
Dean Naujoks
919-233-6600
www.yadkinriverkeeper.org
Contact
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