Tremendous Trees
Tree canopies & root systems help to reduce & slow stormwater runoff, flooding, & erosion. Trees also filter water & improve water quality, reducing potential sources of water pollution. One million trees have the ability to decrease stormwater runoff by 4 billion gallons annually, saving 3.5 million dollars in costs related to managing stormwater runoff.

Flood Impacts
The natural flood patterns of the Mississippi have been altered as human development has increased in the watersheds that feed into the river. For example, about 80-90% of the wetlands in the Upper MS basin have been drained for agriculture. Because wetlands are able to absorb some floodwaters, the impacts of flooding could be reduced if wetlands along the MS are protected & restored.

Storm Smarts
While only about 10% of the 100,000 thunderstorms occurring in the U.S. each year are classified as severe, it is important to be prepared for the heavy rains, high winds, & hail that can be associated with severe thunderstorms. Straight-line winds & downbursts that accompany some thunderstorms can result in winds of 100 to 150 miles per hour, which are strong enough to flip cars & trucks, & can do the same amount of damage as most tornadoes.

Mercury Tip
One of the easiest ways to help prevent the release of mercury into our air & water is to make sure you properly dispose of household items that contain mercury - batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, & older thermometers. Instead of tossing these items in the trash can, where they can break, take them to your local hazardous waste collection facility.

Impaired Waterways
There are 450 impaired waterways in the state of FL, 160 in LA, 115 in TX, 93 in MS & 74 in AL. An impaired waterway is a river, lake, stream, pond, bay or estuary that does not meet the water quality standards of the Clean Water Act & the state. Sources of water impairment include pesticides, fertilizers, mercury & other metals, sediment, & other pollutants that are carried through a watershed.

Floating Pharmaceuticals
Because sewer systems are not equipped to remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater, medicines that are flushed down the toilet may make their way through treatment plants & be discharged into water bodies & drinking water supplies. You can help avoid this problem by carefully disposing of unused medicines:

--Find out if your community has a pharmaceutical take-back program or solid waste program that will accept prescription drugs for proper disposal.

--Instead of flushing unused or expired prescription drugs, remove them from their original packaging and throw them in the trash.(If you wish, mix prescription drugs with used coffee grounds or kitty litter & put them in an empty can or sealable bag in the trash to ensure they are not diverted.)

Oil Slick
According to the National Research Council, there is more oil deposited into the ocean from run-off water than from oil spills directly in the ocean.