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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08Several volunteer groups have recently become active in addressing issues of the Portneuf Valley Aquifer. These are the Portneuf River Watershed Management Council, the Portneuf Groundwater Forum, and the Chubbuck-Pocatello Groundwater Guardian Committee., Continuing efforts to provide information to the public about the Lower Portneuf Aquifer,_F _ the Groundwater Guardian Committee is in the process of producing brochures and videos dealing with vulnerability and ownership of our water supply. The Committee has also begun a program to apply stencils to stormdrains as a reminder for people not to pollute water runoff. For example, changing oil and washing -paint rollers in gutters introduces contaminants directly into surface water like the Portneuf River, and indirectly into groundwater as well. City and County ordinances are already in place against water pollution and waste. If you know of cases where contaminants enter stormdrains or of water that is running due to broken lines or negligance, please report details to the Department of Environmental Quality or to your local Water Department immediately. FERTILIZING LAWNS AFFECTS WATER SUPPLY ` I` Chemicals used on lawns can be a source of pollution through runoff water. It is very possible that environmental laws will place restraints on the domestic use of insecticides in the near future.' This is a point in favor of switching from bluegrass to new improved turf -type fescue or other low -maintenance grass. Bonsai tall dwarf fescue is much more effective than Kentucky bluegrass in keeping out weed and insect invaders and also requires 1/3 less fertilizer. Fall fertilizing should be divided into 1/4 the yearly total about mid-September and 1/2 in October. This is the lawn's major food supply. One-fourth the yearly total applied in May acts as a stimulant, and is optional. Using manure or compost rather than a commercial fertilizer helps avoid sometimes unnecessary additions of both herbicides and pesticides, which kill worms and other beneficial organisms. Qualified personnel can prescribe the right fertilizer for your lawn. ANNOUNCEMENT: The next meeting of the ello C' water Council d ian Committee is he public is. scheduled for August 21 at 2 p.m. in the Poea �h'Rule, which invited to attend and to participate in a he on the Groundwater un�hC �ul�w�o d designate the will go before the state legislature in November of this year. Lower Portneuf Aquifer for greater protection as a sensitive resource Z OUTDOOR WATER USE. } O NEWSLETTERIssue #3 Au st 1996 This public information project is sponsored by the Chubbuck- in �.,�� ), �y Pocatello Groundwater Guardian Committee as part of its 1996 enrollment the national Groundwater Foundation. Our purpose is to provide residents of ,q T Eg the greater Pocatello area with alternatives to costly water consumption in the ® care of their yards. Several volunteer groups have recently become active in addressing issues of the Portneuf Valley Aquifer. These are the Portneuf River Watershed Management Council, the Portneuf Groundwater Forum, and the Chubbuck-Pocatello Groundwater Guardian Committee., Continuing efforts to provide information to the public about the Lower Portneuf Aquifer,_F _ the Groundwater Guardian Committee is in the process of producing brochures and videos dealing with vulnerability and ownership of our water supply. The Committee has also begun a program to apply stencils to stormdrains as a reminder for people not to pollute water runoff. For example, changing oil and washing -paint rollers in gutters introduces contaminants directly into surface water like the Portneuf River, and indirectly into groundwater as well. City and County ordinances are already in place against water pollution and waste. If you know of cases where contaminants enter stormdrains or of water that is running due to broken lines or negligance, please report details to the Department of Environmental Quality or to your local Water Department immediately. FERTILIZING LAWNS AFFECTS WATER SUPPLY ` I` Chemicals used on lawns can be a source of pollution through runoff water. It is very possible that environmental laws will place restraints on the domestic use of insecticides in the near future.' This is a point in favor of switching from bluegrass to new improved turf -type fescue or other low -maintenance grass. Bonsai tall dwarf fescue is much more effective than Kentucky bluegrass in keeping out weed and insect invaders and also requires 1/3 less fertilizer. Fall fertilizing should be divided into 1/4 the yearly total about mid-September and 1/2 in October. This is the lawn's major food supply. One-fourth the yearly total applied in May acts as a stimulant, and is optional. Using manure or compost rather than a commercial fertilizer helps avoid sometimes unnecessary additions of both herbicides and pesticides, which kill worms and other beneficial organisms. Qualified personnel can prescribe the right fertilizer for your lawn. ANNOUNCEMENT: The next meeting of the ello C' water Council d ian Committee is he public is. scheduled for August 21 at 2 p.m. in the Poea �h'Rule, which invited to attend and to participate in a he on the Groundwater un�hC �ul�w�o d designate the will go before the state legislature in November of this year. Lower Portneuf Aquifer for greater protection as a sensitive resource