April 21, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 177

For further information, contact Beth Krumrine, DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program, 302-739-9921 or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.  

Volunteers Sought for Spring Storm Drain Marking Projects Planned in Laurel and Seaford

DNREC’s Sediment and Stormwater Program and Watershed Assessment Section are currently seeking volunteers to mark storm drains in the towns of Laurel and Seaford with medallions bearing the reminder, “No Dumping. Drains to Waterway.” Laurel storm drains will be marked on Saturday, June 13, 2009. Seaford will be marked in fall of 2009, dates to be determined.   

“Storm drains are marked to remind community residents and businesses not to dump anything down the storm drains, including oil, trash, paint or other pollutants,” said Environmental Scientist Jennifer Volk of the Watershed Assessment Section. “We are eager to work with the towns and volunteers to implement a practice that will reduce stormwater pollution that would otherwise drain into the Chesapeake Bay.” 

Other towns that are being marked in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed include Greenwood and Bridgeville. Greenwood will be marked on Friday, May 1 by the Peach Blossom 4-H Club led by Elaine Webb. Bridgeville’s marking event is scheduled for Saturday, May 9 (rain date May 16), with volunteers from the Dublin Hill 4-H Club, led by Carla Killmon, and the Woodbridge High School Key Club, led by Kelli Duncan.

DNREC’s storm drain marking initiative was first spearheaded in 2007 in Lewes, where nearly 500 storm drains were marked by more than 65 volunteers. Other communities that have implemented this program since then include Milton, Georgetown, and Wilmington’s Southbridge community.  

Funding for the upcoming spring project in Delaware’s Chesapeake Bay communities will be provided in full by the Chesapeake Bay Implementation grant. Past projects have also been funded in full by grants.

“This is a great program that gets communities involved and provides a positive and lasting reminder about protecting our vital watersheds,” said project coordinator Beth Krumrine of the DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program. “We would like to continue to work with other communities in the future if the funding is available,” she added.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Laurel marking event on June 13 or being placed on an interested parties list for the Seaford marking event, please contact Jennifer Volk at 302-739-9939.