GULF OF MEXICO PROGRAM
*'!!- ••''*• 5'--*" •"
| COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY |
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Acknowledgment
Many individuals contributed to
the development of this handbook.
We would like to thank all Gulf of
Mexico partners who gave of their
time, energy, and expertise in
creating this handbook.
This document has been funded by
the United States Environmental
Protection Agency. Gulf of Mexico
Program, under Cooperative
Agreement Number X-820906-OI-0
awarded to the Cooperative
Extension Service of Mississippi
State University. The contents of
this document do not necessarily
represent the views and policies of
the Environmental Protection
Agency, nor does the mention of
trade names or commercial products
constitute an endorsement or
recommendation.
Published by:
Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service
Mississippi State University
Funded by:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Gulf of Mexico Program
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Contents
Introduction 3
The Gulf of Mexico - "America's Sea" 4
Issues of Environmental Concern 7
• Marine Debris 8
• Nutrient Enrichment 8
• Habitat Degradation 9
• Toxics and Pesticides 9
• Public Health 10
• Freshwater Inflow 10
• Coastal and Shoreline Erosion 10
• Living Aquatic Resources 11
Save the Gulf? Who, Me? 12
• Nonpoint-Source Pollution 12
• Erosion and Surface Runoff 13
• Lawn and Garden Chemicals 14
• Septic Systems 17
• Hazardous Wastes 18
• Pets and Livestock 20
• Swimming Pools 22
• Automobiles. 22
• Boats 23
• Household and Office Waste Management 24
• Water Conservation 27
• Energy Conservation 28
• Participation in Permit Actions 30
Agencies and Organizations To
Contact for Further Information 31
• National 31
•GulfStates 34
Texas 34
Louisiana 36
Mississippi 37
Alabama 37
Florida 40
• Emergency Response 41
Bibliography 42
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U.S. Border Quit Of M6XJCO
Atlantic
Ocean
Caribbean Sea
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Introduction
The Gulf of Mexico Program Citizens'
Pollution Prevention Handbook is a quick and
easy-to-read reference guide to help you learn
ways in which you can make a difference in
protecting the environment of the Gulf.
People who live, work, and play in the Gulf
area — beachgoers, boaters, students, sport and
commercial fishermen, landowners, farmers,
business owners, and coastal residents - will
find facts and figures that give a clear picture
of the current environmental status of the Gulf.
The handbook will create a deeper understand-
ing of the impacts of personal and professional
behavior on the Gulf environment and suggest
ways in which you can take action toward
eliminating pollution problems that threaten
the Gulf of Mexico.
We hope the information contained in this
handbook is useful in. preventing pollution in
your home and at work. You can make a
difference no matter who you are, or where
you live.
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The Gulf of Mexico —
"America's Sea"
The Gulf of Mexico is truly a national treasure.
Because it is a semienclosed body of water and the
source of many of America's renewable and nonrenew-
able resources, the Gulf is sometimes called "America's
Sea." Spanning the southern part of the United States,
the 600,000-square-mile Gulf is bordered by five states:
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
One thousand six hundred miles of primary coastline
also include part of the shoreline of Mexico and Cuba.
The Gulf is relatively shallow, averaging 5,000 feet
deep, when compared to the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic
Oceans, each of which averages about 13,000 feet. The
bottom topography includes broad
continental shelves, submarine
canyons, abyssal plains, and ancient
reefs. In some places, bottom
sediments are 10 miles thick due to
deposits made by rivers that flow into the
Gulf and drain two-thirds of the continental
United States.
Between 1956 and 1990, offshore oil
and gas development in the Gulf of
Mexico generated more than $82 billion
in federal revenues, one of the largest
sources of funds to the.nation's
treasury. Oil and gas from the Gulf
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account for 90 percent of America's offshore production.
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have about
40 percent of the total U.S. petroleum refining capacity.
Gulf Coast facilities refine about 275 million gallons of
crude oil each day.
Nearly half of all U.S. import/export
shipping tonnage passes through Gulf waters.
Four of the nation's 10 busiest ports are
located on the Gulf Coast, with the Port
of New Orleans at the top of the list,
handling some 170 million tons of
freight annually. Houston, Texas,
ranks third with more than 110
million tons handled each year.
The Gulf of Mexico and its
coastal areas are rich fishing grounds.
Commercial fisheries are among the most important
of the Gulfs renewable resources with more than 1.7
billion pounds landed annually, valued at more than
$640 million. Five of the top 10 U.S. fishing ports are
located in the Gulf states. The Gulf provides more than
50 percent of the U.S. landings offish, shrimp, and
shellfish and yields more seafood annually than the
south Atlantic, mid-Atlantic, and Chesapeake areas
combined. Two-thirds of the shrimp landed in this
country come from the Gulf, making the Gulf shrimp
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fishery the second most valuable U.S. fishery. More
than 1,200 seafood processors and wholesalers employ
15,000 people in the Gulf region. More than 22,000
commercial fishing boats, manned by over 40,000
professional fishermen, harvest seafood from Gulf
waters.
More than 100 million fish are caught each year by
recreational fishermen in the Gulf. Three million sports
fishermen make more than 17 million fishing trips into
Gulf waters annually. This accounts for more than
one-third of all marine recreational fishing in the United
States.
Habitats and ecosystems along the Gulf Coast include
such diverse areas as freshwater swamps, mangrove
forests, seagrass beds, and salt marshes. About half of
the coastal wetlands in the conterminous United States
are located along the Gulf. These habitats and breeding
grounds shelter and feed thousands of species of coastal
and marine wildlife. The coastal wetlands of the Gulf
provide habitat for four to seven million migratory
waterfowl every winter. Many rare and endangered
species of wildlife, including sea turtles and manatees,
are found in the Gulf.
Tourism is another important business that pumps an
estimated S20 billion per year into the economies of the
Gulf states. People come to the Gulf to catch some of
the nearly 50 species of finfish or shellfish, play along
beautiful beaches, view the exotic array of wildlife, or to
escape colder climates.
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Issues of Environmental
Concern in the Gulf
In spite of its importance to our quality of life, or
perhaps because of it, the Gulf of Mexico is in serious
trouble. Both natural and man-made causes are contrib-
uting to a rapid decline in the environmental quality of
the Gulf. Formerly pristine habitats and many species of
marine and coastal life have been adversely affected by
an increase in human activities. Today, one-sixth of the
U.S. population lives in the five states bordering the
Gulf. Of these 42 million people, 15 million live in
coastal counties. By the year 2010, coastal population
densities in the Gulf are projected to increase to an
average of 227 people per square mile (over 1,000 per
shoreline mile). These new coastal residents will further
strain Gulf resources as they demand housing, jobs, fresh
water, and the conveniences of modern life.
Numerous local and state agencies working with the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through its Gulf
of Mexico Program, have identified several major areas
of environmental concern.
Gulf of Mexico Population
1960-2010
Five Gulf States (Florida West Coast Only)
Millions
50
40
30
20
10
0
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
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Marine Garbage from merchant ships, commercial and recre-
DebriS ational fishing vessels, cruise ships, and drilling plat-
forms, plus debris from inland municipal sewage and
waste disposal facilities that washes into the Gulf, is a
major problem. Because circulation within the Gulf is
limited, solid waste and other pollutants float along with
the currents until, eventually, they wash up on shore.
Indestructible plastic waste tossed into the marine
environment kills thousands of seabirds and marine
mammals each year by entanglement or being mistaken
for food. Many sea turtles die each year from eating
plastic that looks like jellyfish, one of their favorite
foods.
Within 3 hours on a single day in September 1991,
volunteers picked up 18 tons of garbage on Alabama
beaches, of which 57 percent was plastics. On both
coasts of Florida, there were 180 tons of garbage, 60
percent plastics; in Louisiana, 133 tons, 68 percent
plastics; Mississippi, 23 tons, 53 percent plastics; and in
Texas, 199 tons, 72 percent plastics. This debris came
only from those beaches chosen as cleanup sites. How-
ever, more than a ton of trash per mile can be found on
some Gulf beaches. In fact, three Gulf states exceeded
the national average in terms of plastics as a percentage
of marine debris collected.
Nutrient
Enrichment
Water from two-thirds of the United States drains into
the Gulf of Mexico, and one-half of the runoff from all
this land actually makes its way into the Gulf. Excessive
levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients come
from city sewage treatment plants, industrial operations,
septic tanks, lawns, gardens, and agricultural activities.
An overdose of nitrogen and phosphorus can lead to
algal blooms that deplete the water's dissolved oxygen,
making it unsuitable for other forms of life. A
3,600-square-mile oxygen-deficient "dead zone," located
off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, contributes to a
dramatic reduction in species diversity and abundance in
the region. This area is in the heart of one of the nation's
richest and most extensive fishing grounds.
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Habitat Coastal habitats, such as marshes and estuaries, are
Degradation disappearing at an astounding rate. Louisiana alone is
f*' losing .35 to 40 square miles of valuable wetlands every
year. These nursery grounds and refuge areas for fish
and wildlife also act as antipollution devices by
filtering sewage and contaminants before they enter
open water. An estimated 95 percent of the Gulfs
commercial fish and shellfish rely on wetlands for
critical habitat during their life cycles. More than
75,000 acres of wetlands have been affected by dredge
and fill operations in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.
Urban and residential expansion in Florida has de-
stroyed 22,000 acres of mangrove swamps. Alabama
has lost 25,000 acres of wetlands and bay bottoms in
the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
Freshwater diversion has decreased inflow into Gulf
estuaries, increasing salinity and causing the loss of
more habitat. In Mississippi, water is so contaminated
in four of the state's major estuaries that oyster harvest-
ing is prohibited. Nearly 3.5 million acres where
shellfish grow in the Gulf are permanently or condi-
tionally closed due to pollution.
ToxiCS and Recent toxic release inventory data showed that the
Pesticides Gulf states of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and
Texas were 4 of the top 10 states in the country in total
surface water discharge of toxic chemicals. A total of
460 municipalities and large industries pipe discharges
directly into the Gulf. Farmers spread more than 21
million pounds of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on
croplands in the Mississippi River region each year.
Industries in the same area annually release 2.3 billion
pounds of toxins into the marine environment. Offshore
oil and gas operations have released an estimated 14
million gallons of oil into the Gulf as a result of well
blowouts and explosions on drilling platforms. Tankers
and barges moving petrochemicals, petroleum, and
other hazardous waste contribute to the problem.
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Public Many environmental factors have a direct impact on
Health public health in the Gulf of Mexico. More people get
sick from eating raw oysters, clams, and mussels than
any other seafood. Many of these illnesses are directly
linked to poor water quality due to pollution in oyster-
growing areas. Water pollution can also cause human
illness by direct contact through activities such as
swimming and boating. Other marine biotoxin events,
such as red tides, which can be associated with nutrient
overenrichment, can cause severe health problems in
humans through direct contact or consumption of
contaminated seafood.
Freshwater
Inflow
Rivers from as far away as Montana and New York,
including all of the states between the Rocky Mountains
and the Appalachians, drain into the Gulf. The greatest
amount of freshwater inflow comes from the Mississippi
River, which sends more than 3.3 million gallons of
water into the Gulf every second. By comparison, the
Rio Grande in southern Texas has a discharge rate of
about 15,000 gallons per second, because the river is
used extensively for irrigation and only a small percent-
age reaches the Gulf. Dams and levees built for hydro-
electric power generation and flood control further alter
the natural flow of freshwater reaching the Gulf. Many
plants and animals require a balanced mixture of fresh-
and saltwater in order to grow and survive. Alteration of
natural flow patterns allows saltwater to intrude into
estuaries that directly affect species diversity and
abundance. Freshwater inflow is also essential for
flushing pollutants out of the estuaries.
Coastal and Coastal wetlands in the Gulf area are rapidly disap-
Shorellne pearing due to severe erosion. Since the mid-1950's,
Erosion 800 square miles between Vermillion Bay and the
Mississippi state line have washed away. If the present
rate of loss persists, several coastal parishes will disap-
pear within 50 years. Loss of vegetative cover on barrier
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islands due to human activities increases the effect of
wind and wave erosion and reduces the storm protection
provided by these fragile land areas.
Living
Aquatic
Resources
The bountiful fisheries in the Gulf are being fished
beyond their limits as more people compete for the
resources. Several Gulf fisheries are now closed during
certain seasons to allow the stocks time to rebuild.
Others are under strict regulation from federal and state
agencies. Many other species of wildlife are also being
diminished due to overharvesting, pollution, and habitat
loss. The Gulf of Mexico is home to many rare and
endangered species of wildlife, including five species of
sea turtles, the West Indian manatee, sperm whales,
whooping cranes, bottlenosed dolphins, and the Ameri-
can bald eagle.
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Save the Gulf?
Who, Me?
The Gulf of Mexico is America's Sea, but it's your
backyard! Every day millions of people affect the
quality of the Gulf without even knowing it. Do you
know...
• Where your storm sewers drain?
• Where your garbage goes once it leaves your curb?
• Where your septic field drains?
• Where pesticides and fertilizers go once they leave
your lawn?
• Where the used oil from your car is disposed?
Knowing the answers to these questions and many
more like them can help you to improve your backyard.
There are many things in your daily life that affect the
health of the Gulf that you may be unaware of.
Nonpoint-source pollution is increasingly recognized
as a significant factor in coastal water degradation.
Nonpoint-source pollution includes lawn and garden
pesticides and fertilizers, street or parking lot runoff, and
septic tank drainage. In urban areas, storm water and
combined sewer overflow are linked to major coastal
problems, and in rural areas, runoff from agricultural
activities adds to coastal pollution. These sources are
attributable to people conducting their everyday activi-
ties and are examples of just a couple of ways that your
actions can have a large impact on the quality and
future of the Gulf. The first step is to recognize the
connection between your way of life and the health of
the Gulf. Everyone is responsible for the future of the
Gulf, so get involved and start making a difference.
Here are some pollution sources affecting the Gulf of
Mexico and things you can do to help "Take Pride
Gulfwide."
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Erosion and
Surface
Runoff
Erosion and surface runoff cause sediments and
contaminants to enter Gulf waters directly by washing
into tributaries and indirectly by being carried through
storm drains and water treatment facilities. Erosion also
causes the loss of valuable wildlife habitat, and in some
cases, may actually threaten building structures located
on shorelines. There are simple steps you can take to
reduce erosion and surface runoff from your property.
• Minimize hard surfaces, such as paved areas, and
maximize the absorption capacity of your ground.
Protect soil by planting ground covers, grasses,"
shrubs, and trees and by adding mulch. This will al-
low water to sink into the soil where it can be natu-
rally filtered to remove sediments and contaminants.
• Plant and maintain trees, shrubs, perennial grasses, or
legumes along steep slopes, drainage channels, or
ditches, and around bodies of water. These are called
"buffer strips" and help trap surface water and sedi-
ments. Native plants generally survive best. The
proper width of buffer strips of vegetation between
the land being used and the water body depends on
the type of soil, the degree of slope, and the type of
vegetative cover. Consult a landscape architect or
your local Extension agent. Forested areas are more
effective than grasslands. A one-acre buffer of trees,
50 feet wide, protects almost 900 feet of a waterway
by reducing soil erosion caused by rainfall impact and
allowing more water to filter through the soil.
• Use terraces to reduce water runoff velocity on long
or steep slopes. Grade your land with a series of
gentle swales (or low areas) and berms (elevated
areas) to drain water away from the house, yet allow
water to sink into the soil. This system will allow par-
ticles to settle or filter out as the water percolates into
the soil.
• Keep heavy equipment off exposed soil during the
rainy season to reduce erosion and allow for vegeta-
tive growth. Use gravel cover for unpaved parking
areas.
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Direct sprinkler heads away from paved surfaces,
especially if drainage is directly into the street or
drainage ditch.
Irrigate or water lawns in the evening or early morn-
ing, but never on windy days or when it has rained
recently. This reduces the amount of water lost to
evaporation and runoff. Plants don't need water for
several days after a heavy rain.
Irrigate only when necessary instead of on a schedule.
This minimizes water consumption and reduces the
potential for contaminant-laden surface runoff. Apply
no more than three-fourths of an inch of water at a
time for grass. Lawns need watering when they have
a bluish cast or when you can see your footprints after
walking across them.
For areas that need more frequent watering, use
efficient watering devices such as pop-up sprays,
bubblers, drips, microsprays, and soaker hoses.
Reduce watering requirements by using landscape
plants that are drought-tolerant. Check with your
local Cooperative Extension Service for a listing of
drought-tolerant species suitable for your area.
Drip lines under roof eaves and downspouts are
particularly susceptible to sediment erosion. Place
gravel or plant hardy vegetation under roof eaves.
Add downspout attachments to slow and spread out
the draining water. This reduces erosion and runoff.
Lawn and
Garden
Chemicals
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Lawn and garden chemicals are beneficial when
correctly used. But when nutrients, such as fertilizers,
enter waterways, they can cause algal blooms that lead
to oxygen depletion and have a negative impact on
other forms of life. Many fish kills can be traced to
oxygen depletion caused by an overabundance of
nutrients in the water. Many herbicides and pesticides
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can kill nontargeted species directly if they enter surface
waters. You should always strive to reduce the amount
of these toxic substances released into the environment.
• Choose a fertilizer that has at least one-fourth of the
nitrogen in a slow-release, water-insoluble form.
Fertilize in the dry months, usually October to May.
• Use the minimal amount of fertilizer necessary, and
apply it in small, frequent applications. An application
of 2 pounds of fertilizer five times per year, is better
• than 5 pounds of fertilizer twice a year. Always read
and follow label directions. Many suburban
homeowners use 5 to 10 pounds of pesticide per acre.
That's about ten times more chemicals per acre than
farmers use!
• Pull weeds instead of using herbicides. Use mulch to
discourage weeds from growing in the first place.
• Choose plants that are pest-resistant and don't require
much fertilization. Your local Cooperative Extension
Service office can provide you with a list of suitable
plants. Do not apply fertilizer within 50 feet of a
water body.
• Avoid applying fertilizer to paved surfaces. If any
fertilizer is inadvertently spread on sidewalks or
driveways, sweep it off before watering.
• Apply fertilizer when the soil is moist, and then water
lightly. The fertilizer will sink into the root zone
where it is available to the plants, rather than stay on
top of the soil where it can be blown or washed away.
• Mow your lawn frequently, and leave the grass
clippings to decompose on the lawn. Annually, this
will provide nutrients equivalent to one or two
fertilizer applications. Remove grass clippings within
50 feet of waterways. Never dump grass clippings or
other organic material into a waterway.
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Weakened plants are susceptible to pests. Make sure
the blades on your mower are sharp and adjusted to a
high setting to reduce the temporary stress caused by
mowing.
• Always consider natural alternatives to lawn and
garden chemicals. Pesticides kill beneficial as well as
harmful insects. Biological controls, such as natural
predators and companion planting plus a well-planned
pest management program, can prevent pollution and
save money. Some bugs can be dislodged merely by
forcefully spraying them with a stream of water. Safe
bacteria used to control caterpillars are sold in garden
supply stores. Consider using natural alternatives for
chemical pesticides, such as nondetergent insecticidal
soaps, garlic, and hot pepper sprays.
• Always keep lawn and garden chemicals away from
surface water. Never spray when it may rain in the
same day, and do not water heavily after application.
Do not spray on windy days. Be particularly careful in
spring or early summer because many species of
wildlife are much more sensitive to toxics during their
juvenile stages.
• Never dump poisonous chemicals into sewers, drains,
toilets, or any other connections to vvastewater
treatment systems. Triple-rinse containers, and apply
the water to the treated area.
• Farmers and others who use a lot of lawn and garden
chemicals should dispose of the containers in special
incinerators or at landfills with programs for handling
toxic waste. Call the EPA's RCRA Superfund Hotline
at 1-800-424-9346 for the phone numbers of state
agencies who can help you dispose of hazardous
wastes.
• Wrap single containers in several layers of newspa-
per, tie securely, and place in a covered trash can.
Do not burn containers: smoke and fumes may be
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hazardous. The best way to dispose of lawn and gar-
den chemicals is through proper use.
Septic Nutrients and pathogens from malfunctioning septic
Systems systems cause health problems and add to the pollutant
load on coastal waters. Excess nutrients lead to algal
blooms and oxygen-poor waters. Pathogens from human
sewage can cause diseases like cholera and hepatitis.
Fecal coliform bacteria associated with human and
animal wastes are used as an indicator of water quality.
Pathogens from malfunctioning septic systems are
involved in the closure of shellfish harvest areas and, in
some cases, the closure of swimming areas.
• Know the location and components of your septic
system. Use the access manhole to inspect the septic
tank annually for accumulation of sludge and surface
scum. If the bottom of surface scum is within 3 inches
of the tank's outlet pipe, have the septic tank pumped
and properly cleaned. Generally, have the sludge
pumped every 3 to 5 years.
• Kitchen garbage disposals unnecessarily burden septic
systems. Put kitchen organic material in compost piles
or in curbside trash cans for landfill disposal. If you
do use a garbage disposal, have the septic tank
cleaned every 2 years.
• Keep surface water out of septic tank or absorption
areas. These areas already receive all the water they
need.
Use water-reducing devices, such as flow-restricting
shower heads and toilet tank inserts, to minimize
water flow to the septic tank. Balance water use
throughout the week to avoid overloading the system
at any onetime."
Keep heavy vehicles away from the septic system
because their weight can crush drain fields and keep
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them from functioning properly. Don't plant trees or
shrubs near drain lines; roots can clog them.
Don't flush into the system material that will not
easily decompose, such as hair, cigarette filters,
sanitary napkins or tampons, condoms, etc. They will
reduce your system's capacity and clog the drain
field.
Do not wash or flush strong chemicals into the
system. They could kill the bacteria needed to
decompose the wastes.
Do not cover the surface of the drain field with any
impermeable material such as plastic or cement. This
reduces the soil's ability to "breathe," preventing
proper function of the drain field.
Keep accurate records, including diagrams of design,
location, and size of the entire septic system. They
should include dates that the system is inspected and
when the tank has been pumped out.
Be on the lookout for signs of septic system failure,
e.g., patterns of bright lush growth in your lawn,
toilets that flush slowly, or drains that back up.
Foul-smelling water or water that rises to the surface
during heavy rains or when your water use is high (as
when doing laundry) are other signs of septic system
failure.
Hazardous Look around your house and notice what hazardous
Wastes substances you might have stored. Paint, solvents, or rat
poison in the shed? Heavy cleansers (ammonia, bleach,
and spot removers) in the kitchen, bath, or laundry? A
shelf of automotive oils, lubricants, and antifreeze in the
garage? These toxic materials present a serious environ-
mental concern. It is everyone's responsibility to handle
and dispose of these hazardous materials in a safe
manner.
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• Be sure all containers are clearly marked, and always
follow the manufacturer's instructions for use.
Warning labels will advise you if the product be-
- comes more hazardous when mixed with another
substance.
• Use only enough of the product to get the job done.
Buy only as much as you need.
• Store hazardous products in an area that will never be
flooded.
• Sweep your driveway. Accumulations of toxics and
heavy metals will wash into surface water if you hose
it. Automotive wastes are major sources of contami-
nation. When washing vehicles, use soap sparingly
and rinse on gravel, lawn, or other absorbent ground
to filter the detergents and oils before the runoff
reaches water courses.
• Avoid using hazardous chemicals on impermeable
surfaces during rainy periods.
• Never dump hazardous products down drains, the
toilet, or near flowing water, ponds, or lakes. Do not
dump them on the ground!
• Wrap empty containers securely in several layers of
newspaper and place them in covered trash recep-
tacles. Periodically dispose of excess containers at
hazardous waste collection sites. Don't let wastes
accumulate.
• Allow the moisture in small quantities of latex paint
to evaporate and dispose of the remaining waste
properly. Larger amounts can be recycled through
your local center. For information on local recycling
centers, contact your city or county solid waste
disposal organization.
• Paint thinner can be stored in covered containers and
reused once the paint has settled out.
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Always try to use nontoxic products instead of
hazardous chemicals for cleaning. There are many
new environmentally safe products on the market, but
you may already have products in your home that will
do a good job and may save you money. Here are
some alternatives:
• Air freshener - A small dish of vinegar or lemon
juice set out in a warm area
• Bleach - Borax
• Chlorine scouring powder - Baking soda
• Detergent - Simple soap (or phosphate-free
detergent)
• Disinfectant - Ammonia
• Drain cleaner - Plunger, followed by a handful of
baking soda and a half cup of vinegar. Cover and
allow to set for 15 minutes. Pour in two quarts of
boiling water, and the clog should disappear.
• Glass cleaner - Two tablespoons of vinegar to
one quart of water
• Grease remover - Baking soda paste
• Mildew stain remover - Vinegar solution
• Mothballs - Cedar chips
• Oven cleaner - Pour salt on fresh oven spills, and
scrape the residue off when the oven cools.
Ammonia can be applied to tough stains.
• Stain remover - Cornstarch paste
• Tile cleaner - Baking soda and toothbrush
• Toilet bowl cleaner - Baking soda
Pets and Pets and livestock contribute to pollution because their
Livestock untreated wastes are often deposited directly on the
ground where surface runoff can carry them into water
bodies or storm drains. Grazing animals can remove so
much vegetative cover from an area that it becomes
highly susceptible to erosion. Larger animals can also
destroy vegetation through trampling.
Never allow pet feces to remain on streets, sidewalks,
driveways, or other impervious surfaces where it will be
washed directly into storm drains.
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Locate barnyards, stockyards, and feeding and
watering areas well away from surface waters.
Maintain pasture fencing to keep animals away from
surface waters and swampy areas. Keep as much
distance as possible between fencing and surface
waters. Vegetated buffer strips provide filtration and
absorption of pollutants.
Determine the number of animals you pasture on the
basis of the productivity of your land. Restrict
grazing when plants are dormant and when soils are
wet. Wet soil is easily compacted, and traffic in
muddy areas will break the root systems of ground
cover. Place salt licks and supplemental feeding
stations away from water supplies to encourage even
grazing. Rest periods are critical to proper pasture
growth. A grazing rotation that allows foliage 21 to
28 days of regrowth between grazing periods is
recommended. Divide pasture area into separate units
if possible.
Where practical, such as in concentrated feedlots or
dairy barns, collect manure regularly for proper
storage. Select a storage site where water runoff
cannot mix with manure and seepage from the manure
cannot mix with surface water. Optimal storage is on
a concrete slab with walls or curbs and a fixed roof.
Cover stored manure to keep rainwater from seeping
through it. Consider constructing an animal waste
lagoon.
Apply manure evenly to pastures, fields, and gardens
where nutrients will aid plant growth. Apply only as
much as your crop or pasture can use. Exces's manure
will wash off into surface waters or filter into ground-
water systems. Till manure into soil evenly whenever
possible. Leave an adequate buffer strip between
manure application sites and surface waters.
21
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Swimming Pools require large doses of chlorine and other chemi-
PoolS cals that should not be dumped directly into a water
body.
• Drain your pool only when necessary and never
during water restriction periods.
• Do not chlorinate the pool water for several days
before draining it. Drain the pool slowly onto a large
expanse of lawn to allow the water to slowly filter
through the soil. Never drain directly into a waterway
or the street.
Automobiles Your car carries motor oil, battery acid, gasoline, anti-
freeze, and transmission and brake fluids. Degreasers,
rust preventives, radiator flushers, and cleaning and wax-
ing compounds are rubbed, buffed, flushed, or applied
sometime during the life of most cars. These automotive
products contain toxic chemicals that should not find
their ways into waterways. Moreover, recycling used
motor oil can save resources. The amount of used,
nonrecycled oil that is improperly dumped in the United
States each year is 10 to 20 times the amount that leaked
from the Exxon Valdez oil tanker during the 1989 Alaska
oil spill.
• Maintain your car. Note any fluid leaks. Repair oil,
transmission fluid, and brake fluid leaks immediately.
This not only prevents pollution but ensures your
safety as well.
• Never dump oil or antifreeze into storm drains,
ditches, or onto the soil. One quart of oil, when com-
pletely dispersed, can contaminate as much as 2
million gallons of drinking water. Take used fluids to
service stations or recycling centers. Use a mild,
biodegradable, phosphate-free soap to wash your car.
Use a bucket of water or a hose with a shutoff nozzle,
rather than a constant stream of water.
• Buy only the minimum amount of automotive prod-
ucts you need to maintain your car. Store and dispose
of empty containers properly.
22
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Do your part to save energy and cut down on air
pollution. Walk, bicycle, .carpool, or use public
transportation whenever you can. Buy a fuel efficient
car. Check your tire pressure often; low tires waste
gas.
Boats The manner in which boaters use and care for their
craft has a large impact on the health of the Gulf. Boat
fuels and other chemicals are often spilled into water-
ways. Boat wakes can increase shoreline erosion.
Propellers can damage seagrass beds and other valuable
wildlife habitats. Trash thrown overboard contributes to
the marine debris problem. Improper use of marine
sanitation devices adds pollution to -our waterways.
• When fueling your boat, take extra care not to spill
fuel or overfill the tank. When filled sufficiently,
tighten the fill cap and wipe away any dripped fuel.
• Discard all trash properly. Never toss any litter
overboard, especially plastics. Monofilament fishing
line and six-pack rings are particularly harmful to
aquatic and bird life.
• Maintain your boat engine to avoid any oil leaks.
When changing the engine oil, bring the used oil to a
marina that recycles oil or to another recycling
drop-off point. If oil spills into your bilge, use
sorbent pads to soak up the spilled oil. Never
discharge oily bilge water into waterways.
• Rinse and scrub your boat with a brush rather than
with soap. When soap is necessary, use
phosphate-free soap.
• When removing the paint from boat hulls, catch the
scrapings in a drop cloth or sweep and throw them
into the trash. Bottom paints contain copper or tin
that is extremely harmful to aquatic life.
23
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Avoid cutting through seagrass beds with boat pro-
pellers. Seagrass meadows, one of the Gulf's most
important habitats, are severely scarred by boat pro-
pellers and may take up to 15 years to recover.
Leave at least 12 inches of clearance between your
boat propeller and the bottom. Churned up sedi-
ments cloud the water and damage bottom-dwelling
plants and animals. Observe "no wake" zones.
Use onshore sanitary facilities whenever possible.
If you are navigating within 3 miles of shore, the
U.S. Coast Guard requires sanitizing gear or an
onboard holding tank. Empty the holding tank at a
designated pump-out station.
Household
and Office
Waste
Management
The average person in the United States generates
more than 4 pounds of trash each day—twice as much
as people in most other industrialized countries.
About 80 percent of what we throw away is recy-
clable, yet we recycle less than 10 percent. Recycling
one ton of paper saves about 17 trees, 3 cubic yards of
landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, 7,000 gallons of water,
and 4,100 kilowatt hours of electricity — enough en-
ergy to power the average American home for 5
months. It also prevents 60 pounds of stack emissions
from being released into the air. Recycling aluminum
cans uses only 5 percent of the energy required to
make new ones. Twenty-eight million tons of grass
clippings, leaves, and other yard waste are dumped in
landfills each year. This adds up to almost 20 percent
of all landfill trash.
• Recycle your paper, metal, plastic, and glass.
Check with your local department of solid waste for
the location of recycling centers in your area.
• Buy recycled and recyclable products. Encourage
schools, businesses, and employers to buy recycled
paper products. One of the greatest barriers to recy-
cling is that there is not enough demand for re-
cycled products.
24
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Write letters to state and national governments
encouraging them to use recycled paper products; the
U.S. government is one of the biggest paper users in
the world. Encourage your local newspaper to use
recycled newsprint. Look into the use of electronic
mail as a means to reduce paper use.
Don't buy goods overpackaged with paper, plastic,
plastic foam, or other materials. Write letters to re-
tailers and manufacturers explaining why you refuse
to buy their overpackaged products.
Laid end-to-end, the 18 billion disposable diapers
thrown away in the United States each year could
reach to and from the moon seven times. Make the
switch from disposable diapers to cloth. Disposable
diapers waste resources, contaminate landfills with
human waste, and take up valuable landfill space.
Besides, cloth diapers are cheaper!
Buy soft drinks in recyclable or refundable containers
and return or recycle them. Use your own sturdy can-
vas bags whenever you shop. If you don't have a can-
vas bag, reuse paper and plastic bags. Encourage your
grocer to use bags made of sturdy, recycled paper.
Choose reusable tableware instead of disposable
plates, cups, and utensils. Take a mug to work so you
don't throw away a coffee cup every day.
Avoid one-use consumer items such as disposable
razors, cigarette lighters, flashlights, cameras, and
nonrechargeable batteries, all of which are sources of
waste.
Make a compost pile instead of throwing grass clip-
pings, leaves, and food waste in the trash. After the
leaves, food, and grass decompose, you can use the
compost as fertilizer for your garden. Your county
Extension agent can provide you with information on
composting.
25
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• Buy nonperishable products in large quantities or in
bulk. Products sold in small, individual units use far
more packaging material and are usually more expen-
sive.
• Be careful about buying plastic products labeled
"degradable." Many break down only in sunlight and
some break down into toxic materials.
What We Throw Away
(Percent of All "Trash")
Plastics
Food
Glass
Metals
Yard
Waste
Paper
Other
7°/c
40%
26
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Water
Conservation
A lot of the water we use comes from lakes, rivers,
streams, and other surface sources. But much of it comes
from underground supplies, which in some areas are
getting-dangerously low. Some of these water supplies
are becoming polluted. And to make matters worse,
we're disrupting natural water systems by channeling
rivers, building dams, and draining wetlands. In the Gulf
of Mexico region, this disruption has created water
shortage concerns and destroyed valuable wildlife
habitat.
• Install a low-flow shower head with a maximum flow
rate of 2.5 gallons per minute or less. You'll cut your
bathroom water use by 30 to 50 percent, and you'll
conserve the energy required to heat the "extra"
water.
• Add lo'w-flow aerators to threaded faucets in kitchen
and bathroom sinks. These inexpensive devices
reduce flow rates while maintaining enough force for
washing and other uses.
• If you have a dripping faucet, you may be wasting
hundreds of gallons of water a week. Replace worn
out washers to stop faucet leaks.
• If your toilet "runs" between flushes, you are wasting
a lot of water. In fact, you usually can't hear a leaky
toilet valve until you're losing more than 250 gallons
per day. To test your toilet, place food coloring or dye
tablets in the toilet tank, and then check the bowl for
traces of color after 15 minutes. Buy an inexpensive
repair kit to repair any leaks.
• When you replace a toilet, install a low-consumption
model, or a water saver. Standard toilets use 5 to 7
gallons per flush; "water-savers" use 3 to 4-gallons
per flush; and new low-consumption models use 1.6
gallons, or less, per flush. Until you replace your toi-
let, put a plastic bottle filled with water in the tank to
cut down on water needed for a flush. (Don't use
bricks. They can disintegrate and cause plumbing
problems.) Bathrooms use more than 65 percent of
home indoor water.
27
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To conserve water and energy, wait until you have a
full load before running your dishwasher or washing
machine. Use the water-saving cycle whenever you
can.
Use phosphate-free detergent. When phosphates end
up in lakes, estuaries, and streams, they can kill
aquatic organisms by promoting algae growth that de-
pletes oxygen supplies in the water.
Energy Our continued and increasing use of fossil fuels is
Conservation causing many serious environmental problems. Digging
coal mines, drilling oil wells, and transporting fossil
fuels can damage wildlife habitat. Burning fossil fuels to
generate electricity contributes to air pollution and,
possibly, to global warming. Fossil fuels provide more
than 80 percent of the world's energy. Each year, the
amount of energy that leaks through windows in Ameri-
can homes equals the energy produced by the oil that
flows through the Alaskan pipeline. The United States
has 5 percent of the world's population, but consumes
nearly 25 percent of the world's energy.
• Set home heating temperatures no higher than 68 de-
grees Fahrenheit. Each degree below 68 °F lowers
heating costs an additional 2 to 3 percent.
• Use fans instead of air-conditioners to cool your home
on hot days. If you use an air-conditioner, set the
temperature no lower than 78 "F. Each degree above
78 °F lowers cooling costs by an additional 5 percent.
• Change or clean furnace and air-conditioner filters
once a month to keep heating and cooling systems
running efficiently.
• Install a clock thermostat to save heating and cooling
energy at night and when no one is home. A clock
thermostat can be set to turn on heating and cooling
systems only when needed and to turn them off at
other times, such as at night or when no one is home.
28
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Set your water heater to a lower setting (about 120
°F). If you have a dishwasher, check to see if the
manufacturer recommends a certain water tempera-
ture. Insulate your water heater.
Wash clothes in cold water. Hang them out to dry or
buy a clothes dryer with a moisture-sensor control so
the dryer will stop automatically when clothes are dry.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with lower watt or
fluorescent bulbs. Although fluorescent bulbs often
cost more, they save money in the long run because
they last much longer than standard incandescent
bulbs and use one-fourth the electricity. If you install
outdoor security lights, use high-pressure sodium
lamps and turn them off during the day.
If you leave lights and a radio on in the house while
you're away, use timers to turn them on and off. ,
Save energy by eliminating drafts in your home.
Repair broken windows and warped doors, caulk and
weatherstrip around windows and doors, put up storm
windows and doors in the winter, and use insulated
curtains. Install solar heating devices whenever
possible. Roof-mounted collection grids for hot water
heaters and solariums are two types of solar devices
suitable for the Gulf region.
When shopping for any major appliance, compare the
energy consumption figures on the black and yellow
"energy guide" labels, and buy the most energy
efficient appliance.
Call your utility company to arrange for an energy
audit of your home to give you specific ideas about
how to save energy and money.
Plant trees or bushes in your yard. They will save you
money on heating and cooling by providing shade and
serving as windbreaks. They also replenish the earth's
oxygen supply and provide habitat for wildlife.
29
\
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Participation Activities that occur in waters, including wetlands,
in Permit generally require federal and/or state permits. The
Actions public has the right to get involved in these permitting
decisions. The permitting agencies can issue a permit,
deny a permit, or issue a permit with special
conditions that mitigate environmental impacts. You
can help by providing input into the decision-making
process on the permit action. You can also help by
reporting violation such as activities being performed
without a permit or where special conditions to a
permit (such as constructing new wetlands to mitigate
for those that were lost due to the action) have not
been adhered to.
If you follow the simple steps in this handbook, your
actions will help improve the environmental quality of
the Gulf of Mexico and the earth. Now you know why
it is important for every one of us to share in
maintaining this valuable resource. It is easy and will
take a couple of minutes each day. Carry the message
to others. Encourage everyone you meet to Take
Pride Gulfwide!
30
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Agencies and Organizations
To Contact for Further
information
National America's Clean Water Foundation
750 First Street, NE
Suite 911
Washington, DC 20002
202-898-0902
(Helps citizens understand the Clean Water Act and
encourages their involvement at the local level)
Center for Marine Conservation
1725 DeSales St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-429-5609
(Promotes conservation of threatened marine wildlife and
critical habitats)
Clean Ocean Action
P.O. Box 505
Sandy Hook, NJ 07732
908-872-0111
(Crusades against pollution and ocean dumping)
Coast Alliance
235 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-546-9554
(Promotes conservation of coastal wildlife and habitats)
Coastal Society
P.O. Box 2081
Gloucester, MA 01930-2081
508-281-9209
(Promotes wise use and management of the coastal zone)
31
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Environmental Action Foundation
1525 New Hampshire Aye. NW
.Washington, DC 20036
202-745-4870
(Helps communities protect people's health and clean up
pollution)
Environmental Defense Fund
257 Park Ave. S
New York, NY 10010
800-225-5333
(Free recycling brochure; champions clean air and water)
Gulf of Mexico Program
Bldg. 1103, Room 202
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
601-688-3726
Electronic Bulletin Board - 800-235-4662
(Multiagency effort to protect and restore Gulf of
Mexico and its resources)
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste
401 M St. SW
Washington, DC 20460
800-424-9346
(Information about your state's recycling coordinator
and how to plan a hazardous waste collection in your
community)
Greenpeace USA
1436 U St. SW
Washington, DC 20009
202-46?"-1177
(Protects wildlife, habitat, and natural resources)
National Audubon Society
700 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
212-979-3000
(Sanctuary management, research, and education to
protect wildlife and habitat)
32
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National Wildlife Federation
1400 16th Street NW
:Washington, DC 20036-2266
^202-797-6829
(Fights for endangered species and safe drinking water;
exposes toxic polluters; saves wetlands and forests)
Nature Conservancy
1815 North Lynn St.
Arlington, VA 22209
703-841-5300
(Buys and maintains land to protect the environment and
save the world's rare animals and plants)
Seventh Generation
49 Hercules Drive
Colchester, VT 05446-1672
802-862-2999
(Free catalog of recycled products)
Sierra Club
730 Polk St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-776-2211
(Promotes protection of land, wildlife, and people;
crusades against pollution)
The Windstar Foundation
2317 Snowmass Creek Road
Snowmass, CO 81654
303-923-2145
(Publications about alternative products and other
environmental topics)
33
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Texas Galveston Bay Foundation
17324-A Highway 3
Webster, TX 77598
713-334-3665
(Promotes wise management of Galveston Bay)
Gulf Coast Conservation Association
4801 Woodway Ste. 220W
Houston, TX 77056
713-626-4222
800-626-4222 (Texas only)
(Concerned with marine fisheries issues)
Marine Education Services
University of Texas, Austin
P.O. Box 1267
Port Aransas, TX 78373
512-749-6764
(Field trips and classroom education for educators and
students)
Nature Conservancy, Texas Field Office
P.O. Box 1440
San Antonio, TX 78295-1440
512-224-8774
Texas Adopt-a-Beach Program
Texas General Land Office
1700 N. Congress, Room 730
Austin, TX 78701-1495
512-463-5108
800-85-BEACH (Texas only)
(Supports reduction of coastal and marine debris)
Texas Coastal Cleanup
Center for Environmental Education
1201 W. 24th St.
Austin, TX 78705
512-477-6424
(Organizes beach cleanups; documents sources of
marine debris)
34
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Resource Protection Division
.Environmental Quality Branch
%200 Smith School Rd.
Austin, TX 78740
512-389-4636
(Coastal and marine resource management)
Texas Sea Grant College Program
Texas A&M University
P.O. Box 1675
Galveston, TX 77553-1675
409-762-9800
(Research, education, and advisory services concerning
coastal and marine resources)
Texas State Aquarium
Education Department
P.O. Box 331307
Corpus Christi, TX 78463
512-886-6018
(Educational activities for teachers and students)
Texas Water Commission Environmental
and Recycling Information Center
512-908-2944
(Used oil recycling information)
Texas Soil Conservation Service State Office
W.R. Poage Federal Building
101 South Main
Temple, TX 76501-7682
817-774-1214
(Provides information and technical assistance for
wetlands restoration and construction of terraces,
waterways, waste lagoons, and other soil and water
conservation practices)
35
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Louisiana Aquarium of the Americas
Education Department
111 Iberville St., Suite 500
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-565-3800
(Educational programming for schools)
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation
P.O. Box 6965
Metairie, LA 70009-6965
504-836-2215
(Research and education to improve environmental
quality of Lake Pontchartrain Basin)
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 44066
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
504-342-6390
(Pollution control; permitting)
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
2000 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
504-765-2800
(Coastal and marine resource management)
Louisiana Office of Litter Reduction and Public Action
P.O. Box 94291
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9291
504-342-8148
(Promotes reduction of marine and coastal debris)
Louisiana Sea Grant College Program
Louisiana State University
Wetlands Resources Bldg.
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-7507
504-388-6U8
(Research, education, and advisory services concerning
coastal and marine resources)
36
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Nature Conservancy
Louisiana Field Office
M), Bo* 4125
^feiton Rbuge, LA 70821
504-338^1040
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Solid Waste Division Recycling Section
504-765-0249
(Used oil recycling information)
Louisiana Soil Conservation Service State Office
3737 Government Street
Alexandria, LA 71302
318-473-7751
(Provides information and technical assistance for
wetlands restoration and construction of terraces,
waterways, waste lagoons, and other soil and water
conservation practices)
Mississippi Mississippi State University Coastal Research
and Extension Center
2710 Beach Blvd., Suite 1-E
Biloxi,MS 39531
601-388-4710
(Research, education, and advisory services concerning
coastal and marine resources)
J.L. Scott Marine Education Center & Aquarium
115 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
601-374-5550
(Educational activities for students and teachers)
Mississippi Bureau of Marine Resources
2620 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39531
601-385-5860
(Coastal and marine resource management)
37
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Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Caylor Building
P.O. Box 7000
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
601-875-9341
(Research, education, and advisory services concerning
coastal and marine resources)
Mississippi Bureau of Pollution Control
P.O. Box 10385
Jackson, MS 39289-0385
601-961-5171
(Pollution abatement; permitting)
Mississippi Wildlife Federation
520 North President Street
P.O.Box 1814
Jackson, MS 39215-1814
601-353-6922
(Promotes conservation of wildlife and habitat)
Nature Conservancy
Mississippi Field Office
P.O. Box 1028
Jackson, MS 39215-1028
601-355-5357
Mississippi Bureau of Pollution Control
Larry Estes
601-961-5171
(Used oil recycling information)
38
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Mississippi Soil Conservation Service State Office
Dr. A. H. McCoy Federal Building
vSuiteJ321
'-100 West Capitol Street
Jackson, MS 39269-1399
601-965-4330
(Provides information and technical assistance for
wetlands restoration and construction of terraces,
waterways, waste lagoons, and other soil and water
conservation practices)
Alabama Alabama Coastal Cleanup
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
2204 Perimeter Rd.
Mobile, AL 36615-1131
205-450-3400
(Marine debris information and beach cleanups)
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Water Division
1751 W.L.Dickinson
Montgomery, AL 36130
205-271-7700
(Pollution control; permitting)
Auburn University Extension and Research Center
4170 Commanders Drive
Mobile, AL 36615
205-438-5690
(Research, education, and advisory services concerning
coastal and marine resources)
Nature Conservancy
Alabama Field Office
2821-C2nd \ve.S
Birmingham, AL 35233
205-251-1155
39
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Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
P.O. Box 369
Dauphin Island, AL 36528
205-861-2141
(Research and educational activities)
Project Rose
205-348-4878
800-392-8098
(Used oil recycling information)
Alabama Department of Economic
and Community Affairs
10936-B, U.S. Highway 98
Fairhope, AL 36532
205-928-3625
(Information on Boater's Pledge and Adopt-A-Beach
programs)
Alabama Soil Conservation Service State Office
P.O. Box 311
Auburn, AL 36380
205-887-4535
(Provides information and technical assistance for
wetlands restoration and construction of terraces,
waterways, waste lagoons, and other soil and water
conservation practices)
Florida Florida Department of Environmental Regulation
- Twin Towers
2600 Blair Stone Rd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400
904-488-0784
(Pollution control; permitting)
(Used oil recycling information - 800-741-4337)
40
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Florida Sea Grant Program
University of Florida.
Bbx 110409
Gainesville, FL 32611
904-392-2801
(Research, education, and advisory services concerning
coastal and marine resources)
Keep Florida Beautiful
402 W. College Ave.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
904-561-0700
(Coastal and marine debris awareness)
Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Thompson Pkwy.
S'arasota, FL 34236
813-388-1385
(Environmental education and research)
Nature Conservancy
Florida Chapter
2699 Lee Road, Suite 500
Winter Park, FL 32789
407-628-5887
Florida Soil Conservation Service State Office
Federal Building, Room 248
401 Southeast First Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601-6849
904-377-1098
(Provides information and technical assistance for
wetlands restoration and construction of terraces,
waterways, waste lagoons, and other soil and water
conservation practices)
To report an oil or chemical spill:
National Response Center U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Coast Guard (24-Hour Hotline)
(24-Hour Hotline) 214-655-2222
800-424-8802
41
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Bibliography
Braus, J. (ed) 1990. Your Choices Count - National
Wildlife Federation Citizen Action Guide. National
Wildlife Federation, Washington, DC. 25 p.
Casteel, P. 1992. "America's Sea" Texas Shores, Texas
A&M Sea Grant College Program, Galveston, Texas,
Vol. 25, No. 2.pp. 5-24.
Clean Ocean Action. 1989. Clean Ocean Action, 1989
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Cornell Cooperative Extension, et al. 1991. Sound
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Cottingham, D. 1988. Persistent Marine Debris:
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Daniel, J. 1992. "Give Drinking Water a Helping
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Folit, R. 1989. Bay Repair Kit - What Each of Us Can
• Do to Keep Our Bays Clean. Sarasota County Natural
Resources Department, Sarasota, Florida. 18 p.
42
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Freeman, H. et al. 1992, Industrial Pollution Preven-
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Holm - Shuett, A., Sly, C, and Greg Shuett. 1990.
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Lee, V., and E. Ely. 1990. National Directory of Citizen
Volunteer Environmental Monitoring Programs. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Washington, DC.
43 p.
National Wildlife Federation, 1989. Conservation
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Washington, DC. 333 p.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
1992. Fisheries of the United States 1991, Current
Fishery Statistics No. 309100. U.S. Department of
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O'Hara, K.J., S. ludicello, and R. Bierce, (eds.) 1988. A
Citizen's Guide to Plastics in the Ocean: More Than a
Litter Problem. Center for Environmental.Education,
Washington, DC. 131 p.
Tibbetts, J. 1992. "Forest Buffers Help Clean Rivers,"
Coastal Heritage. South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium,
Charleston, South Carolina, Vol. 7, No. 1. p. 9.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1990. Meeting
the Environmental Challenge - EPA's Review of
Progress and New Directions In Environmental Protec-
tion. USEPA, Washington, DC. 27 p.
. 1990. Let's Reduce and Recycle:
Curriculum for Solid Waste Awareness. USEPA,
Washington, DC. 144 p.
43
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. 1990. Educators Earth Dry
Sourcebook. USEPA, Washington, DC. 5 p.
Washington State Department of Ecology. 1991. Water
Quality Guide - Recommended Pollution Control
Practices For Homeowners and Small Farm Operators.
Olympia, Washington. 31 p.
Yepsen, R. B., Jr., and James Jarrett (eds.) 1987.
Organic Plant Protection. Mississippi State University,
Starkville, Mississippi. 24 p.
44
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Gulf of Mexico Program Office
Building 1103 Room 202
Stcnnis Space Center, MS 39529-6000
Office: (601)688-3726
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