St. Joseph County is blessed to have an abundant supply of water which has powered our economy, provided transportation, and made recreation in and around our local waterways an asset of considerable importance. How many times a day do you pass by or cross over one of St. Joseph County’s 50 plus waterways such as a river, creek, or ditch? The Saint Joseph River is the third largest tributary to Lake Michigan and is fed by many smaller tributaries throughout the County.
One local organization is looking to make it easier for the residents of St. Joseph County to be able to recognize and identify the abundant water resources within their communities. The Michiana Stormwater Partnership (MSP) is wrapping up a long anticipated sign campaign which is designed to identify various water bodies throughout the county. Street signs with the MSP logo and the slogan “A Resource Worth Protecting” written under the waterbody’s name will be placed at major road and waterway crossings. Signs will also be placed along both the Mishawaka and South Bend Riverwalks. Installation of these signs is currently underway and will be completed in the near future.
The signs are intended to draw attention to the local waterways that are sometimes overlooked as people are consumed by their daily travels. It is the MSP’s goal that with visual reminders of the presence of the water resources, residents will be more likely to think about ways to take care of our precious local waterways. Simple things like cleaning up yard trimmings and pet waste before they are washed down the storm drains during a rain event can help protect our water resources from bacteria and nutrient pollution. Making sure to use the proper rate and timing of lawn fertilizers can have a significant impact on the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus entering our local streams and river. These pollution reduction practices are the types of things that the MSP group hopes people will be reminded of when they see the signs along the roads.
The Michiana Stormwater Partnership is a local working group of various cities, towns, universities, private businesses and county agencies focusing education efforts on the importance of protecting our environment, rivers, and streams and providing our community with information and resources to help them enhance their own stewardship efforts. To see a full list of the MSP partners, or to find more information about stormwater best management practices that you can implement at your home please visit the MSP website at www.MichianaStormwaterPartnership.org
One local organization is looking to make it easier for the residents of St. Joseph County to be able to recognize and identify the abundant water resources within their communities. The Michiana Stormwater Partnership (MSP) is wrapping up a long anticipated sign campaign which is designed to identify various water bodies throughout the county. Street signs with the MSP logo and the slogan “A Resource Worth Protecting” written under the waterbody’s name will be placed at major road and waterway crossings. Signs will also be placed along both the Mishawaka and South Bend Riverwalks. Installation of these signs is currently underway and will be completed in the near future.
The signs are intended to draw attention to the local waterways that are sometimes overlooked as people are consumed by their daily travels. It is the MSP’s goal that with visual reminders of the presence of the water resources, residents will be more likely to think about ways to take care of our precious local waterways. Simple things like cleaning up yard trimmings and pet waste before they are washed down the storm drains during a rain event can help protect our water resources from bacteria and nutrient pollution. Making sure to use the proper rate and timing of lawn fertilizers can have a significant impact on the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus entering our local streams and river. These pollution reduction practices are the types of things that the MSP group hopes people will be reminded of when they see the signs along the roads.
The Michiana Stormwater Partnership is a local working group of various cities, towns, universities, private businesses and county agencies focusing education efforts on the importance of protecting our environment, rivers, and streams and providing our community with information and resources to help them enhance their own stewardship efforts. To see a full list of the MSP partners, or to find more information about stormwater best management practices that you can implement at your home please visit the MSP website at www.MichianaStormwaterPartnership.org
