- Urban Runoff
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NEMO workshops
Two Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) workshops for city and county employees and elected officials have been conducted in the watershed. NEMO coordinates 32 national educational programs in 31 states dedicated to protecting natural resources through better land use planning. To maximize participation, a workshop held in Creedmoor addressed issues in the upper portion of the Plum Creek Watershed, and an event between Lockhart and Luling addressed issues in southern portions of the area. The workshops included topics such as smart growth, low impact design, stormwater management, and reducing impervious surfaces. Following the training, participants were surveyed to evaluate changes in knowledge and intentions to implement recommended practices.
Online Stormwater Management Training
The GBRA has developed develop an online stormwater training tool for municipal operations employees that is available on the Plum Creek and GBRA websites. Key personnel from each city will be invited to the training, which will address management practices for the control of stormwater and include information on the requirements for entities that must satisfy MS4 regulations.
Stormwater BMP Demonstrations
Ina areas where preferred urban stormwater BMPs are to be implemented, cities in cooperation with Extension and the TCEQ have and will sponsor field demonstrations. Invitations will be sent to builders and developers, city staff, and engineers, and notices will be placed in local newspapers. Two mulch tube stormwater BMP field demonstrations already have been conducted in Kyle and Lockhart (June and July 2007, respectively). Additional events will be held as appropriate.
Site Assessment Visits
The TCEQ has conducted a number of site assessment visits to municipal operations in the Plum Creek Watershed. Assessments focus on enhancing stormwater and wastewater infrastructure and operation efficiency.
Urban Nutrient Management Education
Programs such as Grow Green and Yard Wise will be engaged to provide workshops and materials to educate the general public regarding proper rates and timing of fertilizer and pesticide application for lawns and landscapes. City, county, and private landscape maintenance providers will be solicited to participate in these training workshops. In addition, similar trainings will be provided through Master Gardener programs and by working with local homeowners’ associations.
Golf Courses, Sports Athletic Fields, and Schools
The Partnership works with Extension’s Sports and Athletic Field Education (SAFE) program to educate golf course and other sports and athletic field managers and personnel on nutrient and pesticide management practices. The SAFE program is a multidisciplinary approach for turfgrass management based on comprehensive evaluation and monitoring of individual fields. This program addresses fertilizer and pesticide selection and use, irrigation management, aerification, and cultural practices such as mowing height and frequency.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days
The Partnership provides publicity support to cities in the watershed conducting annual or biennial hazardous waste collection events to increase public participation in these activities. The Partnership sends out email notification of events in the watershed, prints and distributes fliers, and post information on the project website.
Pet Waste Programs
A public outreach program aims to educate pet owners about the importance of properly disposing of pet waste, both at home and in public areas. A number of communities have voluntarily installed pet waste stations and signs in areas of high foot traffic, and the Cities of Kyle and Lockhart have installed additional signs in city parks and public areas. The Partnership is seeking the installation of more signs in critical areas across the Plum Creek Watershed. In addition, mass mailings in conjunction with utility billing, public service announcements on local radio stations, and brochures placed at veterinary clinics, County Extension offices, county courthouses, and other suitable locations encourage pet owners to dispose of pet waste responsibly.
- Septic Systems
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Online Training for Septic System Owners
An online training program has been developed by the GBRA to illustrate proper septic system function and maintenance to ensure efficiency and to extend the life of the system. The training is available on both the Partnership and GBRA websites.
View the septic system module
Septic System Workshops
Extension personnel has conducted a number of workshops for each homeowners and septic system professionals (inspectors, installers, and maintenance providers). These trainings targeted subwatersheds identified by SELECT and focused on key aspects of operation, maintenance, and repair that are important for each audience. Future training events will be conducted in other areas as needed.
- Wastewater
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Online Wastewater Treatment Facility Training
An informational wastewater treatment module has been developed by the GBRA and is available online to watershed residents. The module addresses treatment methods and processes and explains the importance of proper wastewater management within the home to protect the quality of receiving waters.
View the wastewater treatment module
Online Fats, Oils, and Grease Training
An online training addressing management practices for handling fats, oils, grease, and household chemical use and disposal has been developed by the GBRA. The training is geared toward both businesses and homeowners and is available through the GBRA, Partnership, and city web linkages.
Fats, Oils, and Grease Workshops
The TCEQ will conduct at least 2 workshops for restaurants in the watershed on fats, oils and grease. The Partnership will support these trainings through direct and web-based marketing.
- Agriculture
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Soil and Water Testing Campaigns
Soil and water testing campaigns are conducted annually to biennially by County Extension personnel to encourage proper nutrient management in both agricultural and urban areas. Financial assistance is currently available to provide free analysis to a limited number of participants.
Nutrient Management Education
Training events are organized and conducted by County Extension personnel to educate agricultural producers regarding sound nutrient management practices in row and forage crop production systems. These events are typically annually in conjunction with soil testing campaigns in the fall or spring.
Crop Management Seminars
Crop management and production seminars are ongoing and are organized and conducted by County Extension personnel. These events typically include training to promote the use of recommended management practices for reducing pesticide and sediment loss.
Livestock Grazing Management Education
Livestock grazing workshops and training events are ongoing and are organized and conducted by County Extension personnel. These events provide information to producers on proper grazing management techniques.
Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collection Days
The Plum Creek Watershed Partnership continues to pursue agricultural waste pesticide collection days in Caldwell, Hays, and surrounding counties. The Partnership supports these efforts through web-based and direct marketing programs. In coordination with the TCEQ and the Caldwell County AgriLife Extension Service, one collection event was held in Luling in June 2007. Over 31,400 pounds of waste were collected, including approximately 8,800 pounds of solid and liquid organic pesticides and 10,365 pounds of lead-acid batteries. Other wastes collected included solvent-based and latex paints, petroleum products, mercury bulbs, a variety of chemicals, and empty containers.
- Wildlife and Non-Domestic Animals
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Feral Hog Management Workshops
Since 2007, annual feral hog management workshops have been conducted to educate landowners regarding the negative impacts of feral hogs and the most effective methods for their control. In response to immediate needs, County Extension personnel conducted the first such workshop in February 2007 in Luling with an attendance of over 180, and recent events have attracted almost 350 attendees.
- Stream and Riparian Workshops
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County Extension personnel, in cooperation with local NRCS and SWCD personnel, are planning workshops to educate the public on stream and riparian area management. Trainings will focus on the importance of these areas as wildlife habitat and their effects on water quality and overall watershed health.
- Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
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The large number of abandoned wells in the Plum Creek Watershed demonstrates the need for continued monitoring of all oil and gas wells, both those currently in production as well as those that are no longer in use. The Partnership works with the RRC to maintain inspection programs and to identify and plug abandoned wells.
- Illegal Dumping/Litter Campaign
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Identification of Priority Clean-up Sites
Over 35 road crossings and accessible areas were identified while planning the targeted water quality monitoring project. These sites will be assessed and prioritized for cleanup by GBRA contractors based on the extent of the problem and the potential for environmental impacts. Site descriptions, photographs, and indications of challenges (traffic, slope, brush and fencing hazards) that could affect cleanup efforts were documented. Private landowners associated with priority sites were identified to obtain permission for access. Based on site prioritization, the following activities were conducted:
- Site Cleanup Projects: Cleanups were conducted at the most critical sites utilizing a contractor with heavy equipment to remove and properly dispose of large debris and trash. Project wrap-up included post-cleanup photographs and a report on each event, including the amount and type of debris removed.
- Signs: The GBRA coordinated with Caldwell and Hays Counties to post signs at cleanup sites and at other identified watershed dumping sites to discourage future activity.
- Community Cleanup Events: Ongoing community cleanup events sponsored by the GBRA are conducted in cooperation with Keep Texas Beautiful to remove smaller debris from watershed streams and also capitalize on public involvement to improve awareness of the overall Plum Creek project. Educational are distributed at these events and provided to cities and counties for other community-sponsored events in the watershed.