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We have a lot to report since the previous newsletter,
thanks to the continued work and support of volunteers
and community partners. April and May were jam packed
with activities, meetings and events in support of our
work toward cleaner water and healthier communities.
On April 26, we participated in
Earth Day Columbus 2008, Now Get Busy. Fifteen
volunteers worked in Victorian Village to distribute
information about the Central Ohio Clean Water
Campaign and participate in a neighborhood cleanup.
Volunteers also ran an informational booth at the
Earth Day celebration at Goodale Park.
On April 29, the Aveda Institute Columbus held
their annual Earth Jam 08, a fashion show fundraiser
to benefit the Central Ohio Clean Water Campaign. We
are thrilled to report that the Aveda Institute will
award more than $42,000 to the Sierra Club this year!
Please see the article in the Ohio Chapter newsletter
for more information. Thanks to the help of
volunteers, the Sierra Club Ohio Chapter and Central
Ohio Group submitted comments on an EPA draft permit
for storm water associated with construction activity
along portions of the Olentangy watershed. Comments
submitted on May 5 drew attention to the need for an
adequate buffer between construction activity and the
river in order to protect water quality and valuable
habitat.
On May 14, Kari Mackenbach, President of Franklin
Soil and Water Conservation District and Water
Specialist at URS Corp., gave a presentation at the
Sierra Club’s monthly program about the role of green
infrastructure in controlling stormwater runoff. By
using rain gardens and other green solutions, cities
across the country are seeing significant reductions
in stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows. The
presentation was part of Central Ohio River Pride
Month.
On the same day, we met with the Columbus Division
of Sewerage and Drainage to encourage the integration
of green infrastructure solutions into local sewer and
redevelopment projects. We discussed the challenges
ahead but identified a common interest in seeing
additional green infrastructure projects in Columbus.
Current city projects include rain gardens on Gay
Street, a native prairie restoration project, a rain
barrel cost-share program and a rooftop garden that
will be included on the Whetstone Recreation Center.
More downtown projects are planned for the future.
On May 31, volunteers ran an informational table at
Riverfest, the annual celebration falling at the end
of Central Ohio River Pride Month. The festivities
took place at Genoa Park, located downtown along the
Scioto River. Volunteers asked the public to sign a
postcard thanking Mayor Coleman for using green
infrastructure on city property and encouraging
additional steps to increase green infrastructure in
Columbus.
TAKE ACTION!
Please write a letter to Mayor Michael
Coleman, 90 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215 in support
of green infrastructure solutions to protect water
quality in Columbus. Feel free to use the sample letter
below:
Dear Mayor Coleman,
Thank you for helping to promote
green infrastructure solutions to Columbus’ water
quality issues! Projects like wetlands and prairie
restoration, along with rain gardens, rooftop gardens
and rain barrels, can help make Columbus a better,
greener place to live.
Please take additional steps to
protect our rivers and make Columbus a better place to
live by:
Developing green infrastructure
incentives for residents and developers to capture and
absorb stormwater on site, before it pollutes our
rivers and overburdens the sewers.
Increasing installation of rain
gardens on city properties to reduce stormwater
runoff, beautify neighborhoods, and raise public
awareness about conservation practices.
Creating a green infrastructure and
development roundtable to educate the public, policy
makers, and developers on the benefits of green
infrastructure, and to inform them of local resources
and provide technical expertise
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On April 29, the Aveda Institute Columbus held their
annual Earth Jam 08, a fashion show fundraiser to
benefit the Central Ohio Clean Water Campaign. We are
thrilled to report that the Aveda Institute will award
more than $42,000 to the Sierra Club this year!
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