| Term | Definition |
|---|
| bacteria | can threaten our water supply or close beaches and shellfish beds |
| nutrients | can cause algal blooms |
| pesticides, oil, and grease | can be harmful or deadly to aquatic life |
| muddy water | can block sunlight from reaching plants, clog waterways, and physically harm animals |
| heavy metals | such as zinc, copper, and lead, these can be toxic to organisms. some of them can actually accumulate in organisms, causing them to be unsafe for human consumption |
| critical habitats | essential spaces for plant and animal communities or populations. examples include wetlands, contiguous forests, and habitats for rare or endangered species |
| aquatic corridor | the zone where land and water meet. examples include: floodplains, stream channels, shorelines |
| forests/farmlands | help to maintain the natural hydrology of the subwatershed and sustain the rural character of the area |
| water pollution hazards | any land use or activity that is expected to create a relatively high risk of potential water pollution. the idea here is not to conserve these types of areas, but to keep these types of facilities a designated distance away from streams, rivers, and other water bodies to avoid contamination. examples include: landfills, road salt storage areas, and hazardous waste generators |
| cultural areas | areas that provide a sense of place in the landscape and are important habitats for people. examples include: historic sites, trails, scenic views, and recreational areas |
| silt fence | installed along the perimeter of a construction site. when properly installed and maintained, these help filter out sediment |
| hydroseeding | where straw, mulch, seed, and fertilizer are sprayed into soil to establish a grass cover |
| check dams | these slow down the velocity of stormwater runoff and help prevent erosion in gullies. reducing the velocity of flow will prevent erosion in drainage ways |
| sediment basin | small pond designed to hold runoff from construction sites so that sediments can settle out |
| stormwater ponds | characterized by a permanent pool of water, these treat incoming stormwater through settling and biological activity. if properly designed, they can provide water quality treatment, protection of stream channels, and flood control |
| stormwater wetlands | similar to stormwater ponds, these incorporate wetland plants into the design. as stormwater runoff flows through these, pollutant removal is achieved through settling and biological uptake within the practice. most of these designs can provide water quality treatment, protection of stream channels, and flood controls |
| infiltration trench | this is a rock filled trench that receives stormwater runoff. runoff is stored in the voids of the stones, and infiltrates through the bottom and into the soil. this type of trench cna recharge groundwater and provide water quality treatment of stormwater |
| bioretention facility | landscaping features adapted to treat on site stormwater runoff, these are commonly located in parking lot islands or within small pockets in residential land uses. they can recharge groundwater and provide water quality treatment of stormwater |
| open channels (swales) | very well suited for treating highway or residential road runoff, these are linear practices that help convey stormwater away from roads and can also treat and store a small amount of stormwater runoff |
| animal lots | this can contaminate our streams with bacteria and excess nutrients |
| illicit discharge | illegal discharges of pollutants into storm drainage systems and streams. these may result from intentional or unintentional connection to a stormdrain |
| failing septic systems | the release of raw sewage, before its been treated. these occur when the flow of sewage exceeds the capacity of the conveyance system. these overflows can discharge into basements, streets, and steams |
| sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) | if they are located improperly or if they fail, these can result in the pollution of groundwater, lakes, streams, etc |
| advocacy | important because it lays the foundation for general public support and greater watershed stewardship |
| maintenance | this is necessary if watersheds are to properly function over the long run. this includes maintenance of septic systems and stormwater management practices |
| monitoring | checking the health of streams. for example, a good indicator may include a survey of the aquatic insects in streams |
| education | teaching people that we live in a watershed and giving them the understanding of how to live in it |
| restoration | the goal to restore or rehabilitate streams that have been degraded by past development. the picture on the PowerPoint depicts the restoration of a previously eroding stream bank |
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