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	Healthy Yard Program The Healthy Yard Program includes educational events and information centered on the importance of riparian buffers, the proper use of pesticides and fertilizers, the importance of using native vegetation in landscapes and gardens, the beneficial reuse of rainwater, proper maintenance of septic systems, well-head protection program benefits, creating habitat for wildlife, and much more. SCCA plans to make homeowners aware of these topics and more through their website, newsletters, e-updates, visiting schools and community events, demonstrating concepts using our Enviroscape Model and initiating other events within the watershed. We had our first Make Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop in August! We hope everyone is having a lot of success with their rain barrels – please email us shermanscreek@embarqmail.com and let us know how they are doing. We plan to do similar workshops throughout the watershed, so keep checking back! Below are a few of the handouts that were distributed at the workshop. Rain Barrel and Rain Garden Instructions Safe Uses for Rain Water Homeowner Conservation As homeowners in the Shermans Creek watershed, you play a very important role in the quality of the watershed and the Cheapeake Bay. There are so many small actions we can take at home that cooperatively have large effects on the environment. By participating in Perry County’s Recycling Program and conducting backyard composting, you divert several tons of waste away from landfills per year. Conserving energy by turning off lights when not in use, unplugging appliances, installing a programmable thermostat, using Energy Star® appliances, or even using renewable energy are all things that can save your household money, as well as cleaning the environment. Conserving water by turning off water when not in use (brushing teeth), running dishwashers and washing machines only when full, taking showers instead of baths, and installing WaterSense® faucets can again save money and conserve a valuable resource. SCCA plans to make homeowners aware of several environmentally conscious options through their website, newsletters, e-updates, and events within the watershed. Riparian Buffers Riparian buffers protect our communities from erosion, flooding, drought, and pollution. Buffers filter stormwater before entering our streams or the groundwater. A healthy riparian buffer is important for all streams and consists of native vegetation and is wide enough to filter pollutants, create healthy habitat, and hold & absorb flood waters. SCCA has joined several other organizations in support of the PA Campaign for Clean Water’s “Buffers 100” initiative to require 1) 100 foot forested buffers on either side of every stream in PA; 2) An additional 50 foot forested buffer for first and second order streams; 3) An additional 200 foot forested buffer for streams classified as High Quality or Exceptional Value. Please visit www.pacleanwatercampaign.org for more information on the Buffers 100 initiative or see a summary of the program in this attached flyer. SCCA plans to make municipalities aware of the benefits of riparian buffers and ordinance options available to them as they play an important role in protecting our community streams and watershed. SCCA plans to do this through their website, newsletters, e-updates, booths at community events, and potential meetings with municipal officials within the watershed. Water Quality Monitoring and Stream Clean Ups SCCA has had a multi-year stream water quality monitoring program in conjunction with ALLARM (http://www.dickinson.edu/allarm/). Currently, approximately 10 monitors conduct water sampling monthly for nitrate, temperature, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, pH, and turbidity. Other analyses conducted on an irregular basis include bacteria monitoring and macroinvertebrate sampling. The sites are located throughout the watershed. We are always looking for volunteers – Please contact us if you are interested in helping out! Also on an annual basis, SCCA organizes a stream cleanup which is primarily accomplished by canoes. Every year we choose a different reach to clean up and we find A LOT of trash (tires, appliances, you name it) in the stream! We always need help with this event, there are a lot of jobs for everyone. We try to hold the event in June of every year, but sometimes need to postpone until the fall due to high water. Our next Stream Cleanup Event is coming up on June 5^th, 2010. Stay tuned for more details. EV Petition SCCA has filed a petition with the Environmental Quality Board to consider the redesignation of the Status of the Shermans Creek from WWF (water quality suitable for warm water fishes) to EV (Exceptional Value) for the area of Cisna Run to the Susquehanna River. The petition was first filed in 2006 and DEP needed to conduct studies on the stream reach to further determine its designation. DEP has completed their field surveys and is in the process of reporting their results. Their report is anticipated to be available for public comment in early 2010. Stay tuned for details! EV Petition Article DEP Notice for Shermans Creek Assessment Minutes from October 2006 Environmental Quality Board Meeting