CLEAN WATER TIPS

Check out these unique ways you can use stormwater for your home on a daily basis. 

As you gaze out at your yard after a spring shower, do you ever think about where all that rainwater goes? Stormwater runoff can lead to polluted waterways and strain our local infrastructure. But there’s good news: by implementing effective stormwater management techniques at home, you can make a real difference in reducing urban runoff and creating a more sustainable environment. This comprehensive guide is here to help you do just that. We’ll show you how to harness the power of rain with simple DIY projects like installing rain barrels and creating a rain garden. You’ll learn how to design a system that captures and reuses stormwater, reducing your water bill and doing your part for the planet.

Understanding Stormwater Management Basics
To effectively manage stormwater at home, it’s essential to understand the basics of how water flows through your property and what impact it can have on local ecosystems. This section will cover those fundamentals in simple terms.

What is Stormwater Management?
Stormwater management is a critical aspect of urban planning and maintenance that involves controlling and directing rainwater flow to prevent damage to properties, infrastructure, and the environment. When it rains, water from rooftops, sidewalks, and streets flows into storm drains, carrying pollutants and debris with it. If not managed properly, this excess water can cause erosion, flooding, and harm aquatic ecosystems.

Effective stormwater management is essential in preventing urban runoff, which can lead to a host of problems. For instance, polluted water can contaminate nearby water sources, harming wildlife and human health. Additionally, excessive stormwater flow can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to costly repairs and potential safety hazards.

As a homeowner, you play a crucial role in maintaining good stormwater management practices. By implementing simple measures such as installing rain gardens or permeable pavers, you can help reduce the amount of pollutants entering local waterways. These low-maintenance solutions allow rainwater to soak into the ground, reducing surface runoff and alleviating pressure on drainage systems.

Types of Stormwater Management Systems

•    Installing Rain Barrels and Cisterns
•    Creating a Rain Garden or Bioswale using native plants (TN Smart Yards can help)
•    Implementing Permeable Pavers and Porous Materials
•    Monitoring and Maintaining Your Stormwater Management Systems

Click here for more information: https://theecoshift.com/stormwater-management-at-home/
 

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TENNESSEE LITTER LAWS

 

Section 39-14-503. (a) Mitigated criminal littering is littering in an amount less than or equal to five pounds (5 lbs.) in weight or seven and one-half (7.5) cubic feet in volume. 

• criminal littering is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00)

Section 39-14-504. (a) Criminal littering is littering in an amount more than five pounds (5 lbs.) in weight or seven and one-half (7.5) cubic feet in volume and less than or equal to ten pounds (10 Ibs.) in weight or fifteen (15) cubic feet in volume.

• littering is a Class B misdemeanor, up to a $500 fine

• In addition to the penalties established in this section, the court shall require a person convicted under this part to remove litter from the state or local highway system, public playgrounds, public parks or other appropriate public locations for not more than eighty (80) hours. The court, in its discretion, may also a person convicted under this section to work in a recycling center or other appropriate location for any stated period of time not to exceed eight (8) hours.

Section 39-14-505. (a) Aggravated criminal littering is littering:

• In an amount exceeding ten pounds (10 lbs.) in weight or fifteen (15) cubic feet in volume; or

• In any amount for any commercial purpose

•  Aggravated criminal littering is a Class A misdemeanor, except in the following circumstances, in which case it is a Class E felony, up to a $1,500 fine.

 

Tennessee Toll-Free Litter Hotline
1-877-8-LITTER PROVIDES MOTORISTS A WAY TO REPORT LITTER BUGS

Tennesseans who are tired of trash along state roadways now have a new tool to report litter bugs. The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced today a new toll-free litter hotline, 1-877-8-LITTER (877-854-8837). The litter hotline is part of the statewide anti-litter campaign. The hotline provides a way for Tennesseans to report people they witness littering along the state’s roadways, such as a person throwing a paper cup or cigarette butt out of a window, or an item falling from an unsecured load.

“The new toll-free litter hotline gives citizens the ability to Stop It,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Now anyone who witnesses a person littering can report it and trigger action to improve the quality of the environment and the cleanliness of our roadways. Tennessee has some of the best roads in the nation. With everyone’s help, we can have some of the cleanest, too.”

Citizens who witness a litter bug in action can call 1-877-8-LITTER (877-854-8837). Callers will reach a recording that asks them to provide information about the vehicle. The information that will be requested includes:

• license plate number (Tennessee plates only)

• type and make of the vehicle

• day and time the incident occurred

• location where the incident occurred

• the type of item tossed or blown from the vehicle

TDOT will mail a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle along with a car trash bag or portable ashtray and other anti-litter information. The letter is a gentle reprimand reminding the recipient that littering is against the law and punishable by a fine of up to $1500.

 

Click here for more information.

https://nobodytrashestennessee.com/the-top-roadside-litter-laws-you-should-know-in-tennesse