Tulsa County Blue Thumb

The 2008 Blue Thumb Volunteer training was a success with new teams now monitoring Posey, Nickel, Little Joe, and Polecat Creeks. Congratulations and Thank You to all the new volunteers.

• Scott Grant
• William Mosier
• David Sherwood
• Dwayne Rumple
• Christine Trammell
• Cynthia Highfield
• Cheryl Dennis
• Sarah Simdon
• Terry Altom
• Kristen Constien
• Kristen Ruyle
• Conor O’Leary
• Greg Lohrke
• Cassidy McCarts
• Chris Eaton
• Becki Gabel
• Noreen Casey
• Erin Bird
• Shelley Umezawa
• Joan Gerber
• Chris Carpenter

Tulsa County Blue Thumb Sponsors:

• Tulsa County Conservation District
• Tulsa Area Conservation Foundation
• Oklahoma Conservation Commission
• Natural Resources Conservation Service

BLUE THUMB PROGRAM - NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTANTS 

Oklahoma’s Blue Thumb Program originates from the Oklahoma Conservation  Commission’s Water Quality Division.  It is a nonpoint source pollution education program that is at work throughout the state. Tulsa County Blue Thumb is a local affiliation of the Oklahoma Blue Thumb Program.

Nonpoint source pollution is the “pollution for which the specific point of origin is not well-defined.”  Both   urban and rural lifestyles can contribute, and a few examples of nonpoint source pollution are:

• Sediment from land clearing activities

• Fertilizer and pesticide runoff

• Animal waste runoff

• Gasoline and oil which enters water bodies

• Grass clippings placed in creeks or lakes

Blue Thumb makes citizens aware of the power they have to make decisions that help keep our water resources clean.  Where a family lives and what occupations keep them afloat are important factors in how much of an opportunity they have to hurt or help water resources. 

An agricultural producer who is plowing the land, spreading chicken litter to fertilize pastures, or grazing 100 head of cattle faces a different set of issues than an urban homeowner who wants a bright green lawn that is completely free of ticks and grubs.  Both types of citizens need to know that there are “Best Management Practices”(BMP)that can be employed to help them protect their local streams and lakes.

The agricultural producer can engage in no-till farming, store  chicken litter until the proper season in an appropriate building, install grassed waterways, and use rotational grazing to keep the land productive and protect water quality.

The urban homeowner can use native vegetation that needs no additional fertilizer or watering and maintain the lawn at the proper height.  These are practices that will reduce nutrient  pollution to streams and discourage pests from making themselves too much at home.

So a BMP might be as simple as mowing more often or as complex as installing fencing to keep cattle away from sensitive creek banks.  People can learn more about how they can protect water resources by contacting Tulsa County Blue Thumb at 918-280-1595.

PHASE II - HELP FOR CITIES

 IN TULSA COUNTY

The US Environmental  Protection Agency has developed regulations that deal with stormwater runoff.  Originally, these regulations addressed medium and large cities, but the Phase
II.  regulations concentrate on the smaller communities or those in urbanized areas.

Citizens are reminded that stormwater regulations exist to protect the waters of the United States against pollution.  While there are those who simply view the additional rules as “unfunded mandates,” citizens are reminded of the joy and benefits that are realized when water bodies are “swimmable” and “fishable.”  

The Tulsa County Blue Thumb Water Pollution Education Program can help cities that fall under the Phase II regulations.  These cities have responsibilities under the Clean Water Act to educate their citizens about clean water. 

Tulsa County Blue Thumb offers cities help establishing education and outreach programs.  Components of a successful Blue Thumb Program may be:

• Volunteer monitoring—citizensworking together to learn more about their local creeks

• Storm drain marking—placement of the “No Dumping” message on storm drains

• Assistance with newsletters and brochures

• Planning of civic events to educate about and celebrate water

• Blue Thumb educational tools to borrow for local events

It is not difficult to educate citizens and help them gain understanding about the value of healthy streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.  City staff members who feel overwhelmed  -  are unsure of where to begin  -  who want to help their citizens do their part for clean water - and who need to provide successful reports to the EPA   -  are encouraged to contact the Tulsa County Blue Thumb Program to learn more.

TULSA COUNTY BLUE THUMB VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Tulsa County Blue Thumb is the water pollution education program for Tulsa County Conservation District.  Through the Blue Thumb Program, volunteers are deployed to assist in the care of Tulsa County's streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and ground water. 

Volunteer activities vary, but can usually be divided into two categories: special events and long-term activities.

Volunteers who like to do special events may assist Blue Thumb sponsors in stream clean-ups or to mark storm drains with markers that read:

“No Dumping—Keep Our Water Clean”

Volunteers who return month after month are likely to be involved in stream monitoring or in educational activities like visiting schools with Blue Thumb presentations. Whatever your interests in clean water are, consider becoming a volunteer with the Blue Thumb Program. 

Blue Thumb volunteers work across the state—from Black Mesa to Poteau, and from Lake Eucha to the Wichita Mountains.  Blue Thumb Programs can be formed wherever citizens have an interest in spending time protecting water resources.