Longview Branch Stream

Hi All, As I was walking the dogs along Bertie Dr today, I couldn't help but notice the large volume of trash in the Longview Branch stream channel and buffer. In addition, there are only two trash cans between Chatham Ln and Locke Ln. The nature of the trash also clearly indicates the source (Enloe students discarding mainly styrofoam food containers after lunch). I know this issue has been raised before at CAC meetings, but perhaps we can take this opportunity to harness our emerging community watch and establish a early success story. Couple of key points and actions that I submit for discussion by this group: 1.The Enloe National Honor Society (NHS) holds the adoption rights to Longview Branch. When I was in high school, our NHS was always looking for community service opportunities and we often had funds at our disposal to conduct them (relevant to item #2). Perhaps we can partner with the Enloe NHS to conduct a spring cleanup. Proposed actions: (1) contact Enloe and the City of Raleigh Adopt-A-Stream program and determine when the last cleanup was conducted; (2) scope out what resources the City might be willing to contribute to help (especially with respect to item #2). 2. Item #1 is somewhat pointless unless we are also willing to address the source of the trash and give the students a reasonable alternative to tossing their trash in the stream. Proposed actions: (1) engage Enloe to educate their students on water quality issue (perhaps there is an Enloe environmental club or student government body that would take this on); (2) establish a density of trash cans along Bertie Dr that makes throwing trash in a trash can easier than throwing it in Longview Branch. I welcome and encourage your thoughts and suggestions. -- Emrys Treasure East CAC Co-chair Longview Park Resident