Newsroom

CORVALLIS - Taking care of streams is everyone's business. A new series of pamphlets helps homeowners, landowners, developers and recreation enthusiasts understand how they can make a difference to the health of streams throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The pamphlets, produced by Oregon State University Extension Service and several collaborators, provide succinct information for specific audiences. They list the benefits of streams and adjacent riparian areas, and then outline clear steps that campers, boaters, gardeners or people who own livestock can take to protect streams.

For example, the pamphlet produced for developers provides examples of porous pavements that can reduce runoff, encourage infiltration and filter pollutants. It shows how drains from a parking garage or building can redirect water to a garden area rather than dumping runoff directly into streams.

The pamphlets produced for landowners help you choose streamside vegetation to control erosion without riprap. It outlines steps to maintaining a lawn and garden that will not ooze chemicals into nearby waterways.

The pamphlet series, "Taking Care of Streams in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska" includes:

• A Homeowner's Guide to Riparian Areas in Western Washington, Western Oregon, and Coastal Alaska (PNW 552); 
• A Homeowner's Guide to Riparian Areas in Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, and Idaho (PNW 557);
• A Landowner's Guide to Riparian Areas in Western Washington, Western Oregon, and Coastal Alaska (PNW 558);
• A Landowner's Guide to Riparian Areas in Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, and Idaho (PNW 559);
• A Guide to Riparian Areas in Rangelands (PNW 560);
• A Recreationist's Guide to Riparian Areas (PNW 561);
• A Developer's Guide to Riparian Areas (PNW 562).

The pamphlets are available by mail at no charge for the first six copies plus $3 shipping and handling. Add 25 cents for each additional copy beyond six. Send your request and check or money order payable to OSU to: Publication Orders, Extension and Station Communications, OSU, 422 Kerr Administration, Corvallis, OR 97331-2119.

Or view them on the web at: http://eesc.oregonstate.edu/agcomwebfile/edmat.