When I think of Florida, I picture crystal blue water and white sandy beaches. But I recently read an article regarding the problem of Florida’s Red Tide and was dismayed to read “Every few yards, dead herring, grass eels and pinfish floated by, peppering the water like a toxic stew. The water, cloudy and yellowish, looked like it was flushed from a toilet.” While Red Tide is a natural occurrence, man-made pollution flowing into the ocean makes is worse.
We don’t deal with Red Tide here in Marshall County, but we do deal with algal blooms and pollutants in the waters. Marshall County SWCD, along with multiple partners, is dedicated to keeping our local lakes and streams healthy and clean. Water quality problems, along with the solutions, begin on the land. The first step is preventing pollutants from getting into the water before they can become a problem. Everyone plays a part, from agricultural operations planting cover crops or using less fertilizer, to homeowners choosing phosphorous-free lawn fertilizer or installing rain gardens.
You can watch a short video about local water quality problems and solutions by searching YouTube “Upper Yellow River Watershed.” More information on Marshall County Soil and Water Conservation Districtcan be found at www.marshallcountyswcd.org or on Facebook.
By Debbie Palmer
Marshall County SWCD
