Monroe Conservation Commission celebrates Earth Day
MONROE Members of the Monroe Conservation Commission commemorated Earth Day 2012 last Sunday, April 22, by installing DO NOT DUMP markers on storm water drains throughout the Town of Monroe.
The effort is part of the towns overall Groundwater Guardian Program that addresses the communitys groundwater protection concerns through education and awareness, pollution prevention, public policy, conservation and best management practices.
There are more than 1,100 storm water drains located throughout the town, Commission Chairman John Ebert said in a press release detailing the effort.
The markers serve to remind residents discarded trash and debris eventually ends up in either the Ramapo River or the Moodna Creek watersheds that provide potable drinking water to thousands of homes., Ebert wrote. The Commission affixed markers on Pine Tree, Orchard Hill and Round Lake Park Roads in the Ramapo River watershed and Cromwell Hill Road and Gilbert Street in the Moodna Creek watershed basin.
Ebert added that the increase in population and commuter traffic means more trash is ending up in local water bodies through storm water runoff accumulating over time and negatively impacting the ecosystem and ecology of the streams and lakes.
Prevention is the recommended treatment for polluted water bodies and Ebert said he encourages civic organizations interested in assisting with the storm water drain marker activity to contact him through the Monroe Town Hall at 783-1900 ext. 227 for the supervisor or via e-mail at jebert3@optimum.net.