[Archived] City of Alexandria Posts New Permanent Stream Crossing Signs

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	June 6, 2006 PIO# 112-06/rdo	Brian Hannigan, Director of Communications, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

City of Alexandria Posts New Permanent Stream Crossing Signs
Signs Identify the Stream’s Name and that It’s Part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

As part of Alexandria’s efforts to increase public awareness of local watersheds, the City has posted new permanent stream crossing signs along pedestrian and bike trails. The signs identify the stream’s name and that it is a Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The signs are designed to increase awareness of local waterways and their connection to the Chesapeake Bay and complement existing watershed signs.

The City urges individuals to learn more about local watersheds and practice water-friendly activities, such as cleaning up after a pet, reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and disposing of trash and yard debris, household cleaners, and used motor oil at an appropriate facility, not down a storm drain.

Earlier this year, Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille declared May as Watershed Awareness Month. Other City outreach efforts include Comcast Cable airing the short film “Reining in the Storm.” The film, which was produced by Dave Eckert, aired throughout May on Channel 69, the City’s community access channel. It featured watershed improvement projects in Alexandria and other areas in Northern Virginia.

River Network –a national environmental organization– created City sponsored public service announcements that aired on Channel 69. The announcements informed residents about how they impact water quality during everyday activities. Everything that goes down a local storm drain ends up in streams, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay.

For more information on watershed outreach activities, call the City’s Division of Environmental Quality at 703.838.4334 or visit alexandriava.gov/tes/DEQ/watershed_management_home.html.

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