The Effects of Urban Sprawl on Water Sources

[Julene]

Urban sprawl is affecting the water sources in many communities. Deforestation causing flooding, chemicals are being dumped in sewers that lead to rivers and streams, and the changes to the environment are affecting the wildlife. What are you doing in your community to offset these damages? In Memphis, the Wolf River Conservancy is developing a greenway to protect the immediate environment surrounding the Wolf River. This will create park land with bike routes in the areas around the river, allowing people to bike and/or run from Collierville, TN to downtown Memphis. There is also an active effort to regularly plant trees that are native to this area. Another idea we would like to implement is the labeling of storm sewers to prevent the disposal of toxic chemicals in those sewers. What are you doing in your vicinity to offset urban sprawl and the damages it can cause to our water sources?