To help reduce water pollution in our town, Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh invites Scouts to participate in the Town’s new Strom Drain Medallion Marker Program. This program involves the placement of green medallions, with the slogan “only rain in the drain” onto the face of Town storm drain covers, thus reminding residents how critical it is for the safety of our waterways that only rain pass through curbside storm drains.

 

“As water flows from outdoor surfaces like streets, parking lots, and driveways, it enters curbside storm drains that eventually discharge directly into our waterways. There is no treatment process before this water reaches a river, lake, or other water body, so any litter that comes in contact with it is transported along with the clean water,” Councilwoman Walsh said. “Contaminants are then able to enter into the Long Island Sound, South Shore Bay, and other bodies of water where swimming and boating take place. Therefore, it is vitally important for our water quality and environmental state that these contaminants never enter our waterways, which is why the Town launched this educational initiative.”

 

The Town of Oyster Bay Department of Environmental Resources will provide volunteers all necessary supplies, including the medallion, adhesive glue to attach the medallion to the storm drain, a map of storm drain locations that need a medallion, and safety instructions. Scouts can choose to place medallions in their local community or be assigned a location in the Town of Oyster Bay. Spring and Summer offer the best weather for this initiative.

 

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the form at www.oysterbaytown.com/stormdrains. Only one person per team needs to register. You can register for multiple supply kits at one time. Please call the Department of Environmental Resources at (516) 677-5943 with any questions.