Two major sources of Rouge River pollution--industrial and municipal discharges, and overflows from combined sewer systems--are being addressed by federal, state, and local programs. The largest remaining source of pollution is the part that is carried into streams by the runoff from rain or melting snow. This pollution does not come from large, concentrated sites, but from thousands of small, dispersed sources: every car, road, farm, business, home and yard makes some contribution. Each of these sources contributes only a little pollution, but the cumulative effect is huge. Local municipalities are now working to reduce the impact of this pollution. However, if these steps toward a cleaner Rouge River are to be a success, each of us must be aware of how our day-to-day actions--like lawn care, home maintenance, or auto repairs--contribute to storm water pollution.

Remember that you can help! Besides better awareness, there are volunteer opportunities to help with Rouge River cleanup. Friends of the Rouge's annual stream cleanup, River Day is a great opportunity to help! The first Saturday of June, groups converge on sites throughout the Rouge River watershed. Sites may be small streams or main branches of the Rouge River itself. The most common cleanup task is removal of log jams and other debris from the stream itself, or from adjacent streambanks and floodplains. Other possible tasks include stabilizing eroding streambanks, stream-side tree planting or trail improvements, and putting up nesting boxes for birds, ducks, or bats. Some groups are also starting to do a fall cleanup (no bugs, nice temperatures, and fall colors!). You can help out at an established site, or start a new site. If you have a group that would like your own rescue site for River Day, please have at least 15 people. Cleanups typically run 4-5 hours, and many groups have a picnic or other social event at the end. Come join us on River Day!

Rouge Rescue/River Day 2002 Activity Report

Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -08 and C-264000-01.