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How stormwater runoff in Selah could kill an albatross thousands of miles from here
- By Contributor Submission
- Published 12/10/2008
- Commentary
- Unrated
By Bob Tuck
Environmental Educator
Do you know the connection between an old highlighter on the curb in Selah and an albatross on Midway Island in the Central Pacific Ocean? Do you know what happens to water that runs off your lawn and into those rectangular openings along the curb? No? Well, you’re not alone, but a new cooperative program sponsored by the City of Selah and the Selah School District is helping students understand the importance of protecting water quality in local streams, and the connection between that old highlighter in Selah and the albatross on Midway Island.
Stormwater is any water that runs off during or after a storm; for example after a rainstorm in the fall or spring, or snowmelt following a warm period in the winter. Those rectangular openings along the curbs in Selah are entrances to the stormwater system, which takes water from rain and snowmelt and thereby prevents damage to buildings and other infrastructure. But unlike water that goes down your kitchen drain, stormwater is not processed through a sewage treatment plant before it runs back into a river or stream. Therefore, anything that is carried by storm runoff from lawns, sidewalks, or city streets, such as pet waste, oil, soap, lawn chemicals, and that old highlighter, goes directly into local streams. And sometimes much further.
Students are learning how to reduce stormwater pollution by washing cars on the lawn, or better yet, at a car wash facility. When lawn chemicals are used, follow label instructions and do not over apply. People should never pour old motor oil on the ground; instead, take it to a location where it can be recycled. Never throw plastic water or pop bottles on the street or ground; recycle them or properly dispose of them.
And that old highlighter on the sidewalk in Selah? Several years ago, someone carelessly threw it on the sidewalk. A few days later, runoff from a heavy local rainstorm washed it into the stormwater system, which quickly deposited it into Taylor Ditch and then into the Yakima River, whence it entered the Columbia River. The highlighter entered the Pacific Ocean, where, after two years, it was captured by the Eastern Pacific Garbage Patch, north of Midway Island. While searching for food, an adult albatross mistook the highlighter for a large shrimp and fed it to its young back on Midway Island. Being large and undigestable, the highlighter blocked the digestive tract of the young bird and it died.
The origin and route of the highlighter is hypothetical; the dead albatross is not. Help prevent stormwater pollution.
Environmental Educator
Do you know the connection between an old highlighter on the curb in Selah and an albatross on Midway Island in the Central Pacific Ocean? Do you know what happens to water that runs off your lawn and into those rectangular openings along the curb? No? Well, you’re not alone, but a new cooperative program sponsored by the City of Selah and the Selah School District is helping students understand the importance of protecting water quality in local streams, and the connection between that old highlighter in Selah and the albatross on Midway Island.
Stormwater is any water that runs off during or after a storm; for example after a rainstorm in the fall or spring, or snowmelt following a warm period in the winter. Those rectangular openings along the curbs in Selah are entrances to the stormwater system, which takes water from rain and snowmelt and thereby prevents damage to buildings and other infrastructure. But unlike water that goes down your kitchen drain, stormwater is not processed through a sewage treatment plant before it runs back into a river or stream. Therefore, anything that is carried by storm runoff from lawns, sidewalks, or city streets, such as pet waste, oil, soap, lawn chemicals, and that old highlighter, goes directly into local streams. And sometimes much further.
Students are learning how to reduce stormwater pollution by washing cars on the lawn, or better yet, at a car wash facility. When lawn chemicals are used, follow label instructions and do not over apply. People should never pour old motor oil on the ground; instead, take it to a location where it can be recycled. Never throw plastic water or pop bottles on the street or ground; recycle them or properly dispose of them.
And that old highlighter on the sidewalk in Selah? Several years ago, someone carelessly threw it on the sidewalk. A few days later, runoff from a heavy local rainstorm washed it into the stormwater system, which quickly deposited it into Taylor Ditch and then into the Yakima River, whence it entered the Columbia River. The highlighter entered the Pacific Ocean, where, after two years, it was captured by the Eastern Pacific Garbage Patch, north of Midway Island. While searching for food, an adult albatross mistook the highlighter for a large shrimp and fed it to its young back on Midway Island. Being large and undigestable, the highlighter blocked the digestive tract of the young bird and it died.
The origin and route of the highlighter is hypothetical; the dead albatross is not. Help prevent stormwater pollution.