County targeted in Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan Options

[Lancaster Online]

[I_Luv_City_Life]

"Federal officials, acting on President Barrack Obama's recent executive order to get serious about cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, announced a draft strategy Monday that makes Lancaster County a linchpin in the plan."

How does a reporter misspell the name of the President of the United States? Get it together, LNP.

[WGM1171]

I had to install a $2K 'cistern' or SWM device in my yard when we added on to our house. The square footage put us over 3000 SF which in my development is the threshold for managing stormwater runoff. We live in the headwaters of the Donegal Creek and our 'impervious surface' restrictions are a bit tighter than most areas. I used to grouse about it before I became a trout fisherman and started fishing the Donegal Creek. Now I see the problems and understand quite well.

I've experienced first-hand what it is like to sink into silt up to your waist. It is not a pleasant experience and it stinks! Much of the siltation problem in this creek (as well as many others) is due to runoff from farms and impervious surfaces. I've traveled much of the creek and see the issues caused by runoff.

We didn't create the Chesapeake Bay problems overnight and we won't cure them overnight, but I feel strongly that there is much work to be done in 'righting the ship'. It starts in our own backyard and all goes downstream. I'm not a fan of big government, but without a doubt had they not intervened and started to push bay cleanup, nothing would get done.

[FDR06-10]

I had to install a $2K 'cistern' or SWM device in my yard when we added on to our house. The square footage put us over 3000 SF which in my development is the threshold for managing stormwater runoff. We live in the headwaters of the Donegal Creek and our 'impervious surface' restrictions are a bit tighter than most areas. I used to grouse about it before I became a trout fisherman and started fishing the Donegal Creek. Now I see the problems and understand quite well.

I've experienced first-hand what it is like to sink into silt up to your waist. It is not a pleasant experience and it stinks! Much of the siltation problem in this creek (as well as many others) is due to runoff from farms and impervious surfaces. I've traveled much of the creek and see the issues caused by runoff.

We didn't create the Chesapeake Bay problems overnight and we won't cure them overnight, but I feel strongly that there is much work to be done in 'righting the ship'. It starts in our own backyard and all goes downstream. I'm not a fan of big government, but without a doubt had they not intervened and started to push bay cleanup, nothing would get done.

If you really want to get a feel for how little the Obama administration and the State of Pennsylvania as well care about the Chesapeake Bay go check out some of the projects they have going on in Tioga and Bradford counties.

They are pushing one environmental project in claiming to want to save the earth and make us more energy dependent while adding to problems such as this.

[Scubabike420]

Mulch those grass clippings! Lawn fertilizer run off is a problem that all homeowners can help manage. Mulching grass when mowing can reduce the amount of fertilizer needed by your lawn by 40%. Most lawns also suffer from compacted soil which means a lot of the fertilizer never penetrates the soil but instead is washed away. Aerating your lawn at least once a year will help the fertilizer go where you want it. Lastely, test your soil to determine how much and what type of fertilizer your lawn needs.

[WGM1171]

Well, two out of three ain't bad! (IMG:http://talkback.lancasteronline.com/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[thoughts from th...]

How does a reporter misspell the name of the President of the United States? Get it together, LNP.

Over reliance on spell-checker and lack of good editing.

[citizen-too]

Of course there's more runoff, look at how much building has been done.  All the new developments going in.  They eliminate the trees and ground shrubs, the farms are gone, all replaced with asphalt.  

[gardenguy]

Mulch those grass clippings! Lawn fertilizer run off is a problem that all homeowners can help manage. Mulching grass when mowing can reduce the amount of fertilizer needed by your lawn by 40%. Most lawns also suffer from compacted soil which means a lot of the fertilizer never penetrates the soil but instead is washed away. Aerating your lawn at least once a year will help the fertilizer go where you want it. Lastely, test your soil to determine how much and what type of fertilizer your lawn needs.

Good point! And.....compost! Tumbler Composters cost around $100 and can reduce trash by a huge amount. Since we got ours, we put 1 trashbag out a week. Everything from shredded paper, to cardboard to newspaper, coffee grounds, old produce, eggshells....tons of stuff and you have a fresh supply of compost every month that you can use for fertilizer.

[sjl127]

Take your federal funds and shove them up your...

[usmarine423]

Take your federal funds and shove them up your...

damn a yr later and u still mad?!

[lanzate]

Lancaster Farming has a more extensive article in how EPA is flexing their muscles already in the county.

[Goldilocks]

Mulch those grass clippings! Lawn fertilizer run off is a problem that all homeowners can help manage. Mulching grass when mowing can reduce the amount of fertilizer needed by your lawn by 40%. Most lawns also suffer from compacted soil which means a lot of the fertilizer never penetrates the soil but instead is washed away. Aerating your lawn at least once a year will help the fertilizer go where you want it. Lastely, test your soil to determine how much and what type of fertilizer your lawn needs.

Better yet, skip the fertilizer. The yard may not be as green as your neighbor's, but who cares. It cuts back on the need to mow more than once a week, saving emitting tractor/lawnmower fumes in the air.

I have some hard to get areas, that must be done by the walk behind mower, instead of the rider. I save those clippings, mixed with leaves for my grape vines. It keeps the weeds at bay and fertilizes the vines. The vines are about 30 years old and only receive grass/leaves as fertilizer. If pruned correctly they remain very healthy.

This post has been edited by Goldilocks: Nov 10 2009, 09:46 PM