During Earth Month In April, Activities Promote Patuxent Watershed Awareness

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

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Contact: Diane Davis, 240-777-7714
Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530

For Immediate Release: March 16, 2000

DURING EARTH MONTH IN APRIL, ACTIVITIES
PROMOTE PATUXENT WATERSHED AWARENESS

Montgomery County residents interested in commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Earth Day this April 22 can participate in a number of events throughout the month to help the Patuxent River watershed. A list of Earth Month activities can be found on the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection's web site at www.askdep.com

Leading off the activities in the Patuxent Watershed on Saturday, April 1 will be a clean-up to help protect water quality along the Upper Patuxent River in Montgomery County. Volunteers will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Izaak Walton League of America's Wildlife Achievement Chapter (WAC) Headquarters on Mullinix Mill Road in Damascus. The League will provide water, a commemorative patch, gloves, and lunch at noon to all participants. Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and to bring rakes and shovels. During last year's clean-up, volunteers removed more than 50 tires and other items from the watershed.

On Saturday, April 15, the Prince George's Park Rangers will hold canoeing workshops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Supplee Park in Laurel, and hikers can follow a self-guided nature trail near the Rocky Gorge Reservoir.

On Saturday, April 22nd, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is waiving its daily use fees on both the Triadelphia and T. Howard Duckett Reservoirs to encourage citizens to enjoy the recreation areas and participate in shoreline fishing, boating, and horseback riding. Anyone over 16 must have a valid fishing license.

The WSSC is also offering tours of its T. Howard Duckett Dam in Laurel from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 and on the following Saturday, May 6.

Sponsors of these events include the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Izaak Walton League, as well as the member agencies of the Patuxent Reservoirs Watershed Protection Group, which includes the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, the Howard and Montgomery Soil Conservation Districts, and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. All of these groups are dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and encouraging individuals to practice environmental stewardship.

For more information about these events, call Jodye Levy Russell, WSSC, at 301-206-8067.

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