CLEAN CREEKS, FISH, AND KIDS CAN PROVIDE
A LEGACY FOR OUR FUTURE
Fred Dyson – Dyson's Starboard View – Messing About in Boats
On the 20th of May, Anchorage citizens will turn out by the thousands for our annual Clean Streams day, but this, year a new dimension will be added. Hundreds of school children will be joining the effort as a hands-on (or feet-in) part of their education.
A few years ago an elementary school in Juneau "adopted" a nearby creek (pronounced "crick" in the West) and started out to rehabilitate it. They cleaned up the litter, stabilized bank erosion, rebuilt spawning sites and then, under the guidance of the Department of Fish and Game, they began stocking the stream with salmon. Now, over a decade later, there is a substantial sport and commercial fish run and everybody is living happily ever after.
Following this example, biology and science classes from the Anchorage School District will not only be joining this year's creek cleanup effort but will be working with the community service groups in a long-term effort to restore or initiate fish populations in most of the municipality's streams and lakes. Some very effective work is already in progress under the able auspices of Fish and Game in Ship and Campbell Creeks and the increased work force should be able to move these projects along.
Everybody wins. The streams get healthier and more beautiful, the children learn some valuable lessons on the biology of indigenous fish and the ecology of our stream systems, the community gains an enhanced resource that will make our area a more pleasant place to live and our economy should benefit from the increased tourist attraction.
A projected time table looks like this:
• Debris cleaned from streams and lakes - summer 1989
• Monitoring of stream condition by Anchorage School District classes and Fish and Game begins (or continues) in the summer/fall of 1989 with laboratory equipment donated by corporate leaders who are interested in the protection and restoration of the environment.
• Community leaders, service clubs, school classes adopt a stream or a portion thereof and begin identifying major pollution, sources and enhancement projects. 1989.
• Major remedial and/or enhancement projects are designed and funded. The projects are accomplished (with volunteer labor when possible). 1989-91.
• Comprehensive stream inventory is completed and integrated for every stream and lake in the municipality bringing together the excellent work that has been done by Fish and Game, the Municipal Planning Department and the Waterways Council. This inventory would identify the status, problems, appropriate fish species and remedial work that needs to be done. 1989
• Funding is located, hatchery resources are allocated and fish eggs are fertilized. 1989-91
• First fish releases, 1991-92
• First fish returns, 1994-95
The Waterways Council is organizing the 1989 Spring Clean-up and you can reach them at 276-6593 (Barb Collins). You can also contact them about adopting a stream at 277-9287
Teachers and classes should coordinate their efforts through Emma Walton of the Anchorage School District, 269-2274.
There is lots of work to do and fun for everyone. So come on and get your feet wet!
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