Contact: Sara Wozniak, DNREC Watershed Assessment, 302-382-0335; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Pollution Control Strategy for the Christina Basin will be unveiled at public forum on October 26

(WILMINGTON, Oct. 21, 2011) - The Christina Basin Pollution Control Strategy and related actions that will help preserve and protect the Brandywine Creek, Christina River, Red Clay and White Clay Creeks and their tributaries will be unveiled at a public forum in Wilmington. Residents of northern New Castle County, including Newark, Wilmington and surrounding areas, are invited to attend the forum set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 at the DuPont Environmental Center, 1400 Delmarva Lane, near the Riverfront in Wilmington.

At the public forum, residents can learn more about the revised Pollution Control Strategy that includes voluntary actions to reduce the amount of pollution entering the waterways.

“Residents can take actions in their own backyards and homes that will have tremendous impacts on the water quality of the Christina Basin watersheds,” said Sara Wozniak, regional watershed coordinator. “The forum will engage citizens in everyday activities, such as lawn care and water conservation, that will lead to a cleaner, healthier Christina Basin.”

The forum includes a short movie that was produced to highlight water quality and the need for a strategy to control pollution. Exhibit tables will include information on actions residents can do to reduce pollution, conserve natural resources and protect water quality. Free soil test kits will be available to the first twenty residents, and there will be a raffle to win a rain barrel. Residents can also pick up pet waste collection bags to help manage dog wastes in their communities.

Developed by the Christina Basin Tributary Action Team, the revised Pollution Control Strategy details pollution limits, known as total maximum daily loads or TMDLs, and the strategy for reducing pollution.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration Water Resources Agency worked to form and facilitate the Christina Basin Tributary Action Team that developed and is recommending a Pollution Control Strategy. The Team is composed of citizens, educators, landowners, farmers, scientists, and elected officials who care about the quality of the water in the watershed

For more information on the public forum, contact Sara Wozniak at 302-382-0335.

Vol. 41, No. 409