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Middle Prong Little River, Blount County

"Knowledge alone isn't enough to protect our waters. We must act onthat knowledge and share in the responsibility to ensure a future of clean, safe water. All who care about the outdoors and its bounty have a responsibility to this."

- Ann P. Murray, Executive Director
Tennessee Conservation League

The Hawaii Streams Assessment Project has offered some thoughts about what we, as individuals, can do to help protect our rivers and streams. Here’s how we can take their advice and put it to good use in Tennessee:

ON STREAM VISITS:

  • Don’t release aquarium fish or snails into streams. Don’t release store-bought pets like turtles, tadpoles or frogs into streams either.
  • Carry your trash out with you and take back at least one piece of someone else’s litter.
  • Stay on paths and avoid trampling vegetation. Operators of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) should use discretion and "tread lightly" rules when approaching watercourses.
  • Make sure your shoes, clothes and other gear aren’t carrying any seeds or spores from non-native vegetation.
  • Take someone with you who is not aware of how important streams are to Tennessee. Teach them what you’ve learned.

AT HOME:

  • Avoid using herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers where they can run off into streams. Dispose of motor oil and other household toxic or hazardous materials properly. Take them to be recycled at approved centers (call 1-800-287-9013).
  • Practice water conservation. Fresh water is a valuable resource.
  • Always see if a permit is needed before physically altering a stream or streambank. Aquatic Resource Alteration Permits (ARAP) are issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Pollution Control.
  • Plant Native vegetation along streambanks in order to reduce erosion and nonpoint source pollution.
  • Have your septic system inspected and maintained regularly.

IN YOUR COMMUNITY:

  • Adopt a stream and organize stream clean-up activities in your neighborhood.
  • Contact organizations working to protect stream resources.
  • Call the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and ask about the condition of rivers in your watershed (See Additional Resources, Page 93).
  • Contact the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and ask about nonpoint source pollution control measures in your watershed (See Additional Resources, Page 93).
  • Let your public officials and elected representatives know that rivers and streams are important to you. Write letters and attend public hearings.
  • Participate in or start your own local watershed association to find solutions to common watershed problems.