I believe that many of the City of Plattsburgh's stormwater drains empty into the nearby Saranac River and Lake Champlain.  I am concerned that many people are unaware of the pollution this problem creates and do not know how to help prevent any unwanted pollution from draining into our beautiful Saranac River and Lake Champlain.  I did some research to help everyone understand more about storm-water pollution and how with a few small steps taken everyday, we can work together to keep our waters clean.

Storm-water runoff can come from rain and/or snow melting.  It flows over the pavement and lawns, then the runoff is carried by pipes to our streams and lakes.  This runoff can become polluted along the way by littler, dirt, oil, chemicals and other debris that flow into water. Storm-water enters our lakes, rivers, and steams and is the same waters that are used for fishing, swimming and sometimes drinking.  Many of the chemicals such as fertilizers on our lawns and motor oil from our cars poison plants, animals and sometimes even humans when the enter our water supply!  Just think every cigarette butt thrown out of a drivers window can cause asphyxiation to wildlife such as turtles, birds and fish! That's horrible and very easily preventable by our actions.

Also, some residents of Plattsburgh and Plattsburgh State University Students own dogs.  While walking your dog it is best to clean up your pets waste for numerous reasons, one of which you may not know about.  Pet waste left on the side of the road mixes in with runoff and this becomes a health hazard.  The runoff enters Lake Champlain through the Saranac River and can cause unwanted bacteria to grow and  it's never nice stepping in a pile of pooh!  Even our lawn fertilizers contain nutrients that promote rapid development of algae in our lakes.  The algae overgrowth will eventually die, depleting the amount of oxygen in the water for other lake organisms and fish to use and thrive. Many of the things we do that cause storm-water pollution are preventable.

The small things we do can prevent the pollution of storm-water runoff.  We all can discontinue the use of lawn fertilizers or try finding eco-friendly ones to use.  Everyone should always maintain their vehicles and check for leaks in the antifreeze, brake, oil and any other fluids. These pollutants are quite dangerous for our waters.  Don't forget to tell your friends who smoke to stop littering the roadways because their cigarette butts can reach streams and lakes, chocking wildlife.  Always dispose or trash in it correct place and remember to “scoop your pet's poop!”

Thanks Everyone,

Ms. Environment

http://science.nasa.gov

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Drilling will not lower gas prices today or solve our energy crisis.

• Even the U.S. Energy Information Administration has said that massive exploitation of new oil deposits will not produce oil for nearly a decade -- and then will not lower gasoline prices by more than a few cents per gallon.

• Under the Bush Administration, drilling permits have risen from 3,802 to 7,561 between 2002 and 2007. Eight years of increased oil leasing and production on America’s public lands has left us with nothing but high gas prices for consumers and record profits for Big Oil companies.

• More drilling would not affect world oil prices. The US has less than 3% of the world's oil reserves, yet we consume almost 25% of the world's oil.

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Expanded drilling threatens permanent damage to wildlife.

• Offshore drilling threatens dolphins, whales, sea turtles and other imperiled wildlife. Drilling discharges mercury and other toxins into our fragile ecosystems. Such pollution can destroy beaches, and poison and kill the marine wildlife that we all care about. The noise from drilling is also incredibly disruptive to marine mammals. So while oil companies like ExxonMobil would continue to swim in record profits, dolphins and whales could become fatally disoriented, beach themselves and die.

• Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge threatens polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. The noise and disturbance caused by drilling in the Arctic Refuge -- the most important onshore denning habitat for America’s struggling polar bears -- could cause polar bear mothers to abandon their cubs to die. 

• Expanded drilling perpetuates global warming. Such drilling would further extend America’s dependence on climate-changing fuel sources that are threatening the very survival of polar bears and other animals. 

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We need real solutions that will end our dependence on oil once and for all.

• It’s time to take back the giveaways to Big Oil and secure our energy independence by investing that money in clean, renewable energy, energy efficiency, increased public transportation and the technologies needed to get our cars going further on a gallon of gas. 

• A bold national commitment to renewable energy will put our economy back on the right path by bringing energy costs under control, creating over 820,000 new jobs, and making us more energy independent. 

• Congress should stop giving tax breaks to Big Oil and start funding constructive alternatives that can make a difference in people’s lives NOW!

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1. Get the Facts

Expanded drilling permits will do nothing to reduce summer gas prices or reduce dependence on foreign oil. This is not even a short-term fix. It is just a short-sighted plan that would risk permanent damage to some of America’s most sensitive wild places and the polar bears, sea turtles and other wildlife that needs them to survive -- all for the sake of increasing profits for ExxonMobil, Chevron and other multi-billion dollar oil and gas companies.

Below my signature, I’ve included some fast facts about oil and gas drilling and why drilling won’t impact prices at the pump. Please take a moment to read through them.

2. Make Your Voice Heard
Many U.S. Representatives and Senators are back in their home districts to celebrate the 4th of July holiday. This is the perfect time to call or visit their district office to let them know that you aren’t fooled -- you know that more drilling is not a solution.

Demand real action and independence from high gas prices and Big Oil. Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative using the information below:

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• Sen. Charles 'Chuck' E. Schumer - (202) 224-6542 or (212) 486-4430 - http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm

• Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton - (202) 224-4451 or (212) 688-6262 - http://clinton.senate.gov/email_form.html

 

• Rep. John M. McHugh - (202) 225-4611 or (315) 782-3150 - http://mchugh.house.gov/zipauth.aspx

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Once you’re connected, just deliver this simple message:

“My name is ____________ and I am calling from (YOUR TOWN) to ask you to oppose increased drilling for oil and gas on public lands and off our coasts. More drilling won’t lower gas prices today or solve our energy crisis. Instead of more drilling, we need real solutions to reduce and eventually end our dependence on oil.”

I am going out to Niagara Falls this year and I am very excited about it. My girlfriend and her husband(newlyweds)went last year and said the the fireworks were spectacular.

If you're interested; <!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->

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