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March 22, 2010

Bayou DeSiard in Monroe to undergo cleanup effort March 27

On Saturday, March 27, students and faculty members from the University of Louisiana at Monroe will clean a mile stretch of Bayou DeSiard, which runs through the 网曝门 campus. The event lasts from 8 a.m. to noon.

Students from 网曝门鈥檚 toxicology program and Tri-Beta, 网曝门鈥檚 Biological Honor Society, will lead the clean-up efforts along the bayou. Mike Adcock, Watershed Coordinator with the Northeast Delta Resource Conservation and Development Council, will provide supplies, trash bags and a boat for use during the event.

鈥淎s this marks our first formal clean-up effort at Bayou DeSiard, we plan to spread the word and transform this into an annual event,鈥� said Dr. Kevin Baer, 网曝门 Professor of Toxicology and Toxicology Department Head.

鈥淲e hope that our efforts will expand into the neighboring communities, so that the beautification of the bayou can be maintained for future generations. Everyone should be able to reap the benefits of a clean and prosperous bayou.鈥�

This is the first of the two scheduled campus cleanup activities led by 网曝门鈥檚 Tri-Beta chapter. The group plans to communicate their campus-wide 鈥済reen and clean鈥� awareness campaign. Students and faculty from 网曝门鈥檚 toxicology program are also working on various community outreach endeavors that will benefit the bayou.

One project currently underway is the formation of a Web site where business owners, community organizations, governmental groups, local citizens and educators can gain information on non-point source education, storm drain marking, bayou conservation and other proactive environmental projects.

鈥淭he involvement of citizens living and working in watersheds is absolutely key to addressing many environmental issues,鈥� said Chris Piehler, DEQ鈥檚 Water Quality Assessment Administrator. By taking ownership of their local water resources, the representatives of the 鈥榳atershed community鈥� may be the best opportunity for success in water quality protection and enhancement.鈥�

As a 30-mile long bayou that winds through Monroe and near Sterlington, Bayou DeSiard is the primary source of drinking water for the city of Monroe, which pulls more than 15 million gallons from it on a daily basis. While the southern portion of the bayou is predominantly open, it is used extensively for recreation and is the focal point for many neighborhoods, as well as 网曝门.

For more information on the event, please contact Dr. Kevin Baer, at 318-342-1698 or baer@ulm.edu.

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