(Distributed 12/22/07) The LSU AgCenter has announced a conference on the Atchafalaya on Jan. 10-11 at the Embassy Suites hotel in Baton Rouge.

Stormwater is the water that runs off the land following rains. It is the primary source of most of the water in our rivers and streams.

Discusses and demonstrates ways to prevent pollution in water.

Demonstrates the construction pollution prevention plan through images, illustrations, and examples.

Discusse the inspections and maintenance associated with handling storm water on small constructon sites.

Discusses the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) pertaining to storm water management on small construction sites.

Demonstrates construction BMP's through various images and illustrations.

Urban areas with their concentrations of people, vehicles, homes, parking lots, streets, small and large business, industry and sewage can create heavy loads of pollutants in their Stormwater runoff.

On March 10, 2003 the Small Construction Site Stormwater Program went into effect.

12 topics covered include various practices that can contribute to non-point source pollution emanating from a home. Steps and practices are provided that can prevent non-point pollution from entering storm water runoff.

Discusses the causes and mitigations of soil erosion by water through a presentation created by the NRCS.

A TMDL is a pollution budget for a specific waterbody (river, lake, stream, etc.). It is the maximum amount of a pollutant that can be released into a waterbody without causing the waterbody to become impaired and/or violate state water quality standards. Information on point and nonpoint sources and the history of TMDLs are included.

Total the number of times you do each of these activities throughout a week. Then multiply by the number of gallons of water used. You may be amazed, and dismayed, by how much water you waste.

To prevent the depletion of the Sparta Aquifer, it is mandatory that everyone conserve, and not waste, water. These nine tips will help sustain this valuable source of drinking water.

Louisiana is blessed with an abundance of forests and waterways. Miles of rivers, bayous and lakes provide Louisiana’s citizens with fishing, hunting, boating and recreational opportunities, which contribute to the state’s wealth and economic growth.

Why be concerned? Too often, we think of ourselves as external to our environment. We ignore the many relationships among people, other living creatures and our surroundings. We ignore these relationships at our own risk. Solutions to environmental problems are far more effective when all life forms are considered part of the ecosystem.