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Show AUGUST 15, 2008 Conservation Corner Non Point Source Pollution BY DOUG GARFIELD SUMMIT CD Clean water is a critical resource to maintaining life here in the arid mountain west. Maintaining or improving water quality is critical as the demand for this finite resource expands. Non point source pollution results from many different sources and sometimes may be difficult to identify, unlike one single source such as a pipe dumping into a river. NPS pollution is caused as rainfall, snowmelt or irrigation water moves over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, depositing them into lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and underground sources of drinking water. Examples of nonpoint source pollution include excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural lands and residential areas. In addition, as energy production and urbanization expands in the west, caution must be taken so that oil, grease and toxic chemicals don’t pollute waterways. Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding stream banks can also be sources of NPS pollution. Salt form irrigation practices as well as bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty septic systems can easily enter water bodies and degrade water quality. States report that nonpoint source pollution is the leading remaining cause of water quality problems. The effects of nonpoint source pollution on each water body may vary. However, we know that all of these pollutants have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, fisheries, recreation and wildlife. The United States has over 330 million acres of agricultural land that produce an abundant supply of low-cost, nutritious food and other products. American agriculture is recognized PAGE A5 Summit County News worldwide for its productivity, high quality and efficiency. However, when improperly managed, agricultural activities can affect water quality. “The most recent National Water Quality Inventory reports that agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the leading source of water quality impacts to surveyed rivers and lakes.” Agricultural activities that cause NPS pollution include confined animal facilities, grazing, plowing, pesticide spraying, irrigation, fertilizing, planting, and harvesting. The major agricultural NPS pollutants that result from these activities are sediment, nutrients, pathogens, pesticides, and salts. Agricultural activities if not properly managed can damage habitat and stream channels. Numerous government programs are available to assist landowners in designing and paying for management practices that prevent and control NPS pollution. A large percentage of 319 Clean Water Act grants have been used to control agricultural runoff. Lets examine some of these resource concerns. Sedimentation occurs when soil particles are carried by wind, or water runoff from a farm field into a water body. Excessive sedimentation clouds the water, reducing sunlight to aquatic plants. In addition sediment can cover spawning areas and clog fish gills. Other pollutants such as phosphorous, pathogens or heavy metals can be bound to sediments and carried into waterways with the soil. Proper management controlling flow rates and volume can reduce sedimentation loads from 20 to 90 percent on croplands. Managing nutrients is critical to maintaining water quality. Fertilizers, manure, sludge, irrigation water, and crop residues are applied to enhance production. If over applied they can wash into waterways causing excessive plant growth, an eventual loss of dissolved oxygen and a foul taste and odor of the water. Stretches of streams or lakes can become devoid of fish as oxygen is used up in the water because of the decomposition of plant material. Producers can implement nutrient management plans which maintain high yields but reduce NPS pollution. Managing confined animal operations is essential to maintaining water quality. Runoff from poorly managed facilities can carry pathogens and nutrients. Groundwater can be contaminated by seepage. Discharges can be limited by storing and managing facility runoff with a waste management system. Managing irrigation is required to prevent concentrating pesticides, nutrients, salts and disease causing organisms. Producers can reduce NPS pollution by improving water use efficiency, reducing the transport of pollutants through the over application of irrigation water. Overgrazing exposes soils, increases erosion, and encourages invasion of undesirable plants. In addition fish habitat may be destroyed while reducing the filtration of sediments necessary for building stream banks, wet meadows and floodplains. To address these concerns farmers can adjust grazing intensity, limit livestock access to sensitive areas and provide alternative sources of water and shade away from the stream corridor. Recognizing and addressing these various resource concerns can go along way towards improving water quality. The Weber River Watershed is a prime example of where properly managing these practices could improve water quality and quantity in our area. If you have questions regarding any of these management practices call the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Coalville at (435) 336-5853 or Ogden at (801) 6290580. Sheriff’s Blotter Don’t forget to check out crimereports.com in your area. • An attempt to locate call came in from the Coalville area advising that a driver in a white Ford P250 with a utility trailer was waving a handgun at other motorists. • A Theft call was reported from Park City about an employee that took a customer’s wallet. • A theft call came in from a store at the PC outlet about a 6 foot tall man with dark hair wearing a leather necklace that walked out of the store wearing flip flops that he had stolen. • A driver in a beige Ford E250 Super Duty attempted to run a biker off the road then threw a shake (drink) at him. • A retail theft call came in from Park City about a female employee that had taken over $l0O(i00 worth of merchandise from the store. • A fraud call from Old Ranch Road was reported when a caller advised that her debit card was being used online. Another call reported that their card had been used for purchases for $1,308. Yet another person called to report that $9,620 had been taken from their bank account. • A caller from Coalville wanted to know why something couldn’t be done about the speeders on Chalk Creek Rd. • A call was made about someone in the neighborhood that was shooting clay pigeons with a shotgun. • From Park City, a call about juvenile drinking alcohol that was going on and stated that the adult homeowners were the ones providing the alcohol. • A citizen from the north end of the county decided to take matters into his own hands during a bike race and scattered gravel on the roadway during this event. • Two Hispanic males entered a store in Park City to purchase a computer and tried to buy it with stolen credit cards. After the cards were declined, they grabbed them and ran from the store. One had tattoos all over his neck and arms. • A report came in about a baby being left alone in a Honda Accord in front of the Polo store in Park City. There were 645 reports taken this past week. Seniors Honored at The Summit County Fair The Fine Arts Exhibits Judges Choice Fine Art awards by Judges Choice included: Kent Garfield, Marcelle Williams, Ellen Roberts, Blair Simpson, Theron Gunn, Micheaux Brock, Jacie Hicken (2), Nixon Barber, Kaden Calderwood, James Simister, and Jessica Vernon. Photography Judges Choice included: Neil Rossmiller, Charlie Piner, and Sara Barber. Youth Photo included James Sargent and Easton Barber. Congratulations to each of these talented artists. 2008 Commissioners Purchase goes to Natalie Kirkham, Fine Art Oil - “ Going to the Fair”. WASATCH / SUMMIT COUNTY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Heber Valley Moving Company “Your Local Moving Specialist” Short Notice OK No Job too Big or Small 435-671-6756 hebervalleymoving@bwca.zzn.com Advertise in the Wasatch / Summit County Professional Services $11.00 for the Wasatch Wave AND the Summit County News 6 month - 12 month Payment in Advance Located in Heber City ACE Rescue Computer Repair upgrades and maint. (435) 503 - 1852 www.acerescue.net The seniors of Summit County enjoyed a luncheon on Friday afternoon at the pavilion by the Quonset Hut. Served by the Summit County Royalty - Queen - Holly Moody, 1st Attendant - Ashley Atkinson, and 2nd Attendant Morgan McCurdy and the Summit County Board of Commis- sioners Ken Woolstenhulme, Bob Richer and Sally Elliott, with food prepared by their true and faithful cook - Rose and her staff! Ben Jones entertained the group with his satire and readings - as well as sang a few songs, much to the delight of the audience. Ben is also a bus driver for the seniors. He loves the job, and they all love and appreciate Ben. There were several prizes drawn with names on tickets, as well as each receiving t-shirts with the Summit County Fair logo on it. It was a fun day for the seniors of the county. Photo by Bob Swensen Little Buckaroo Rodeo Kids - sheep - who’s riding who? Essee Potter - 1st grader - found out that hanging on was tough even the wool of the sheep is thick - and upside down she went. She hung on, though, and when the sheep stepped on her face - came up without tears! The kids did great at the Little Buckaroo Rodeo - and the queens got into the act with riding sheep and herding the animals! Entertainment at The Grandstand The entertainment at the Summit County Fair provided good listening music, fun dance routines, and a place to sit and relax and be seranaded by locals. Diamonds • Custom Design Watches • Engraving • Repairs 32 S. Main Street Heber City, UT 84032 435.654.5661 Go Classifieds! It Pays! 336-5501 |
