April 26, 2005

Contact: Ian Michaels (718) 595-6600

Tri-Valley Students to Mark Storm Drains in the Chestnut Creek Watershed

“Don’t Pollute. Flows to Waterways.”

Commissioner Emily Lloyd of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that high school students from Tri-Valley Central School will be placing storm drain markers to help decrease pollution in Chestnut Creek, an important part of the City’s Catskill watershed.

In small teams, students will adhere markers to storm drains with the message “Don’t Pollute. Flows to Waterways.” The marking will take place on Thursday, April 28th from 3:00 to 4:00 PM along the Chestnut Creek in the hamlet of Grahamsville, beginning at Town Hall.

Having received the Catskill Stream Watershed Education Program curriculum, developed and conductedby the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, the students will have the opportunity to participate in a stewardship project that builds on what they have learned in class.

The Chestnut Creek flows into the Rondout Reservoir, a key part of the Catskill water system.

“It is very valuable to provide students a chance to make the connection between what they’ve learned in class and how they can take part in beneficial stream activities,” said Commissioner Lloyd. “The great thing about this activity is that it teaches not only the students, but also the general public about the final destination of storm water and its contents.”

This activity is one of many recommendations made within the Chestnut Creek Stream Management Plan that was completed March 2004 in partnership by the Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and DEP Stream Management. Public copies of this Plan may be viewed at the Neversink Town Hall or Library.

SWCD and DEP Stream Management personnel will provide materials and supervision.