Specialist discusses pollution
Jared Zinn, watershed specialist for Greene County Conservation District, spoke about “nonpoint sources pollution” at the Town & Country Garden Club’s March meeting.
Nonpoint source water pollution, or pollution that involves contaminated storm water runoff, is one of the greatest threats to water quality in Greene County streams. Sediment from soil erosion and nutrients from various land uses including agricultural and landscaping activities affect the streams and the aquatic communities that live within them.
The conservation district exists to help Greene County landowners make wise use of soil and water resources. One way this is done is by encouraging landowners to adopt good practices that keep their soil where it belongs, in their yards and fields, while at the same time protecting the water resources they share with their community.
Some of the good practices promoted are aimed at reducing the volume of runoff or slowing its effect on streams. Specific practices include maximizing areas where water can easily be absorbed into the ground by planting gardens, diverting roof runoff to grassed areas rather than paved ones, including trees into landscaping plans and minimizing soil compaction.
Other good practices are aimed at reducing sediment and nutrients that are available to be picked up by runoff. Specific practices include maintaining plant cover to protect soil from erosion, taking special care on sloped ground to reduce soil slippage, having soil tested prior to adding fertilizers and other soil amendments, using only the required amounts of these amendments and working them into the soil whenever possible, employing good tilling practices and incorporating buffers into landscaping plans.
Landowners can contact the Greene County Conservation District office if they have any questions, concerns or would like to discuss practices that they are interested adopting. Call 724-852-5278 or e-mail jzinn@co.greene.pa.us. Zinn graduated from California University with a bachelors of science in environmental science with a concentration in fisheries and wildlife.