A low-tech way to help the Bay got a tryout earlier this month in, of all places, Puyallup, Washington. Rain gardens, as they're callled, were installed in the lawns of seven homes in the 900 block of Eigth Avenue in an attempt to reduce the effects of storm water runoff from the roofs of houses and covered areas like drivesways, patios and sidewalks. The gardens consist of heavy stands of drought resistant plants and, according to a story by reporter Melissa Santos in the Tacoma News Tribune, cost about $2,000 to $3,000 each.
(That's one of the gardens in the photo above. If you gave me $3,000 to plant that garden, I think I could give you about $2,500 in change. Or maybe I'd just keep it.)
On September 6, a record-breaking downpour hit Puyallup, a city of about 35,000 people. Puyallup is just south of Seattle and in the heart of the Puget Sound watershed. The Puget Sound is an estuary much like the Chesapeake Bay and, like the Bay, is becoming an ecological disaster. Residents and city officials reported much less water in the streets after the storm, and attributed that fact to the water captured by the rain gardens.
Much has been made of the problem storm water runoff can carry to the Bay, in particular untreated sewage from overloaded municipal drainage systems in times of heavy rainfall. Here's an idea that, it seems to me, can be imported to the benefit of the Bay watershed. You can read Ms Santos's story here
And if you want to send me a check for $3,000, me and my guys will be on your front lawn with a load of succulents first thing in the morning.
Speaking of the Chesapeake, a number of Lancaster Farming articles in the current issue dealt with Bay issues. Staff writer Chris Torres reported on a telephone conference call EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson had with media, government, ag representatives and others to talk about a more hardline approach to Bay cleanup issues. And yours truly reported on a presentation in Lancaster by Barry Simns, president of the Chesapeake Bay Watermen's Association.
Revenge of the grapes. Did you think those helpless little berries liked being stomped on? http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=343461
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