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What Else Can You Do?
Spread the Word
The first step is to incorporate some of these practices
from this guidebook into your daily life. If you want to go beyond
this, you can spread the word. Share this handbook, or the practices
in this book, with your neighbors.
Join an Organization
Friends of the Rouge is a grassroots organization with
over 800 members who are dedicated to restoring the Rouge River.
They participate in a variety of special community projects and
an annual Rouge Rescue cleanup, which has removed tons of natural
and man-made debris from the river. They also sponsor an education
program to teach elementary through high school students about water
quality sampling and the importance of the Rouge River.
Participate in Friends of the Rouge Activities:
Rouge Riverwatch is an opportunity for you and your group to
take year-round responsibility for the health and appearance of
a section of the Rouge River or one of the streams that flow into
it. As a member of the Rouge Riverwatch Program, you and your group
can:
- Conduct cleanups of the stream and its banks
- Monitor the health of your stream
- Learn how to prevent water pollution
- Develop your own stream protection or enhancement projects
Storm Drain Stenciling is one way concerned people can inform
others about pollution from storm drains. Various types of pollutants,
such as oil, grease and antifreeze are poured down storm drains,
which directly dump into the river. Many times this pollution comes
from individuals who do not know that storm drains lead directly
to the river. Stenciling storm drains with the words "Dump
No Waste ? Drains to Rouge River" informs people about this
pollution source
For information on the Rouge Riverwatch, Storm Drain Stenciling,
or Friends of the Rouge,
call: Jim Graham, Executive Director at (313) 961-4050.
Rouge RAP Advisory Council (RRAC) RRAC represents all parties
interested in the Rouge River Remedial Action Plan (RAP), which
is the long-term clean up plan for the Rouge River. This group is
responsible for advising the Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality on the update and implementation of the Rouge RAP. Five
subcommittees address issues of concern: nonpoint source pollution
(such as storm water runoff), on-site sewage disposal, public education,
contaminated sites and headwaters issues. Citizens and students
are included in RRAC's membership, and anyone may participate in
the RRAC's meetings or its subcommittees.
For information on the Rouge RAP Advisory Council, call:
Cathy Bean, Rouge RAP Coordinator at (313) 953-1441.
Be Active in Your Community
In addition to joining an organization and incorporating
this guidebook into your daily life, you can also encourage your
community to help in the restoration of the Rouge River. Below are
a few suggestions on how your community can become involved in the
restoration process.
Erosion
Erosion from construction sites and new development is
a major source of pollution to the Rouge. Although county government
usually has the authority to control erosion, local governments
and citizens can help prevent this type of pollution. Encourage
your local officials to better monitor and control soil erosion
on new developments where large parcels of land are left exposed
for periods longer than 2-3 months. If you notice large amounts
or erosion from a site, contact your local municipality.
Pet Care and
Animal Waste
Encourage local officials to use signage around local
ponds and rivers asking residents not to feed the ducks and geese.
Household Hazardous
Waste
If your community doesn't have a household hazardous waste drop-off
site, contact your local officials and tell them you would like
your community to start a household hazardous waste program. Enlist
your neighbors! The more interested residents are in initiating
a program, the more likely it will be started.
Car Care
Encourage local service stations to accept used motor
oil and antifreeze from area residents. All Valvoline Instant Oil
Change locations will accept used oil.
For the nearest location, call
1-800-FASTCHANGE.
For additional information about the Rouge River,
call the Rouge River Information Line at 1-888-223-2363.
Thanks for caring enough to repair and protect
the Rouge River!
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