Patrolling Program

 

Goal: Patrolling the Choctawhatchee River basin from its headwaters to the

          mouth of the river at Choctawhatchee Bay using a variety of techniques.

Objectives:

·        Aerial patrols

·        Canoe patrols

·        Motor boat patrols (planned for the future, no current motor boat patrols)

·        Vehicle and foot patrols (small streams and construction sites)

·        Receiving and responding to citizen reports and complaints

·        Training citizens to patrol construction sites

 

Water Quality Monitoring Program

 

Goals: Check for Water Pollution and Document Water Quality Trends

Objectives:

·        Regular monitoring of sites in the Alabama portion of the river basin to detect pollution and chemical and physical water quality trends

·        Regular monitoring of sites in the Florida portion of the river basin to detect chemical and physical water quality trends (planned for the future, no current regular Florida monitoring)

·        Monitoring of wadeable streams using macroinvertebrate bioassessment techniques to track aquatic ecosystem health

·        Seasonal monitoring of designated and informal swimming areas for bacteriological contamination (periodic in Alabama)

·        Opportunistic monitoring for nutrients, mercury and other pollutants when opportunities arise to work with University students and/or agencies to conduct specialized monitoring

·        Training and when possible equipping members and other citizens to do volunteer citizen monitoring

 

Public Awareness and Educational Outreach Program

 

Goals: Increase Public Awareness of the Resource and Provide the Public with

            Skills and Tools for Protecting and Restoring Their River

Objectives:

·        Participation in and co-sponsorship groundwater festival activities – educational activities for 4^th grade students

·        Cooperation with agencies for delivery of educational activities for students – watershed model construction, school presentations

·        Cooperation with agencies for education of the general public on prevention of runoff pollution and on recovery efforts for the gulf sturgeon (underway or planning meetings scheduled)

·        Delivery of erosion and control education for developers and contractors (desired addition to construction site patrolling to offer a more proactive, balanced approach)

·        Recreational events to reconnect people with the river including canoe trips, canoe camping trips, stream and river cleanups and canoe races

·        Educational presentations and exhortation at member meetings and outings

·        Work with organizations including directly with farmers and others to educate citizens about the environmental benefits of locally produced food and other products and lifestyle choices that reduce energy consumption waste generation and the overall environmental footprints of individuals, families, organizations and communities.

·        Member recruitment

 

Governmental Responsibility Assurance Program

 

Goals: Assure That Governmental Agencies and Jurisdictions Are Following the

 Letter and Spirit of Laws Protecting Public Health and the Environment

 and Are Protecting the Public Trust

Objectives:

·        Surveillance of local, state and federal agency notices and facility NPDES discharge monitoring reports

·        Involvement in agency oversight meetings

·        Patrolling of construction sites and reporting of violations

·        Collaboration with the ADEM Reform Coalition. Conservation Alabama and other groups seeking to reform ADEM and works for needed rules and legislation

·        Use of administrative actions to obtain enforcement of environmental regulations

·        Judicious use of Clean Water Act and other litigation to pursue enforcement when responsible agencies fail to deter avoidable and illegal pollution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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