Our Solution

We decided on a 2-part solution:

1. Planting Willows. The most economically feasible engineering option for us was to plant rivers that would help stabilize the bank and thus reduce pollution. First, we had to get permission to plant the trees on the private property owned by Cottonwood Homeowners Association. We secured this permission from the CHA Executive Board after our presentation to them on April 26, 2017. Then, on May 10, 2017, we planted 287 willows, sedges, and cottonwood trees along the banks of the Laramie River.
2. Campaign to Protect the EPA. We determined that the Clean Water Act of 1972 and the EPA were satisfactorily protecting our river. However, recent shifts in the federal government have resulted in a threat to repealing this effective legislation. Therefore, we decided that, instead of creating a new policy, we should advocate to preserve the policies in place. We contacted our state senators and representatives to engage them in dialogue. We also decided to educate the public.