South Dakota Adopt-A-Stream Manual

For Additional Information or Activities Contact:

South Dakota Discovery Center & Aquarium

South Dakota Lakes and Stream Association

Introduction

The South Dakota Nonpoint Source Information and Education program (NPS I&E), cooperatively managed by the South Dakota
Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Agriculture, has adapted an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stream
awareness activity for use by groups of all ages in South Dakota.

Adopt-a-Stream is designed for use by groups interested in learning more about streams, river, and lakes, and helping protect these
valuable water resources. It is anticipated that the waste collected from stream banks and channels will spur local interest in
maintaining and improving the water quality and aesthetics of the streams. Ideally every stream in South Dakota will be "adopted"
and protected by an interested local group.

"May the countryside and the gliding valley streams content me. Lost to fame, let me love river and woodland". -- Virgil

Who's in Charge

You are. Although the NPS I&E program is promoting the program in South Dakota, it is a grass roots effort controlled by local
organizations. Development of a locally organized, long term stream maintenance program or joining with an existing program are
goals of this project. Helpful hints for a successful local project are given in the remainder of this document.

Getting Started

1. Contact area environmental groups. This serves two purposes. These groups may be able to provide background information
about the adopted site. In addition, it may be possible to work cooperatively with an existng program. Examples of groups to
contact include: Izaak Walton League, Sierra club, Audubon Society, local fishing clubs, and local government.

2. Choose the area for the clean-up. Your group may wish to collect litter along a familiar stream. An area close to where many of
the group's members reside, or visit as a favorite fishing area should be chosen. Avoid a stream that cascades down a steep slope.
Clean-ups should be completed twice a year, in the spring and fall, to better protect the scenic beauty of the area.

3. Find a USGS topographic (topo) map of the adopted area. Topo maps are excellent because they show buildings, elevations,
waterways and roads. A 7 degree minute quad map (1:24,000 scale where 1 inch = 2.65 miles) is recommended. These maps are
available from many local sporting goods stores and the US Geological Survey for approximately $4.00. A photocopy of the needed
map may be available from your local library.

4. Topo maps must be used to select and identify sites. This data will be used when information is entered into the
Adopt-a-Stream data management system. The location may be described using latitude and longitude, or by giving a description
using well-known landmarks. For example, "The 2 miles of Medicine Knoll Creek south of U.S. 14". Use of both systems will allow a
more accurate depiction of the adopted site.

5. Select the clean-up site and locate it on the topo map. Future clean-ups will be easier if the site is near clearly defined
landmarks (roads, highways and tributaries), especially those marked on the topo map. For purposes of Adopt-a-Stream, clean the
area along the banks on both sides of the stream wherever possible. Groups may choose to clean any length of stream, just be sure
that the litter is hauled out after collections.

6. Contact the local landfill operator. Many operators may not charge for disposal of materials collected as part of the
Adopt-A-Stream program if the operator is notified in advance. Please use the bags provided to avoid confusion at the landfill site.

7. Finally, after finishing collecting litter, fill out the Adopt-a-Stream clean-up report. This assists the state NPD I&E Coordinator in
documenting the amount of litter removed and the number of project participants both by project and statewide.

Litter Collection Behaviors

Please consider the following Adopt-a-Stream related safety tips prior to starting the clean-up activity:

Get permission of landowners to cross private land, posted or not. Do Not Enter Areas Without Permission. Use of public access
points (such as city/county/state parks and campgrounds) is recommended.

ALWAYS work in pairs or small groups, never alone.

Do not place yourself or others in danger to gather litter.

Be careful of ticks, poison ivy, nettles and insects. Bring insect repellent. Wear long pants and boots. Wind breakers help to block
nettles.

Watch for irate dogs.

Water from the stream is not safe to drink.

Do not walk on unstable banks. Footsteps could speed erosion.

Be alert for spawning areas (redds) in the stream. Do not walk on them. They look like a round or elliptical area of clean gravel
about 1-3 ft feet long. During fall through spring, when redds are evident, try not to walk in the stream.

Be aware that the stream bed can be very slippery and uneven, sometimes at unpredictable places.

Do not walk across streams that are swift and above the knee in depth. These can be dangerous.

If there is any reason to feel uncomfortable about the stream conditions or surroundings, please stop all clean-up activity.
Safety of program participants is much more important than any of the objectives of Adopt-a-Stream.

Additional Tips for a Successful Clean-Up

The following items are recommended to have along on your clean-up:

Photocopies of topo map showing stream section to be cleaned?

Comfortable waterproof (rubber) boots.

Weather appropriate snag and thorn-proof clothing.

Clip board with waterproof cover.

Adopt-a-Stream data forms.

Two pencils.

Leather gloves.

Whistles.

If the clean-up site is away from urban or residential areas, the following are also recommended.

Extra clothes in a waterproof bag.

Fire starter (candle and cheep lighter).

Small first aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries.

Assistance in choosing a lake or stream to adopt, or in planning a clean-up activity may be obtained by contacting one of the
following agencies:

SD Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Watertown Field Office 605-882-1390
Sioux Falls Field Office 605-339-6697
Rapid City Field Office 605-394-2385
Pierre Office 605-773-4216

SD Department of Game, Fish, and Parks
Your Local Conservation Officer
State Fish Hatcheries

SD Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry
Lead District 605-584-2300
Custer District 605-673-2264
Hot Springs Office 605-745-5820
Rapid City District 605-394-2395
Pierre District 605-773-3594
Huron Office 605-353-7145
Aberdeen District 605-622-2296
Watertown Office 605-886-6627
Sioux Falls District 605-339-6627
Yankton Office 605-668-3437

Documentation
After reading this manual, please complete and return the registration form prior to starting your clean-up activities.

Clean-Up Reports
After each clean-up date complete the Adopt-a-Stream Clean-Up Report to provide a record of the length of area cleaned, the
number of participants, and the amount of litter collected. The Clean-Up Report is a master and should be reproduced prior to use.
Each time a clean-up occurs, a form should be completed and returned. Please keep the original data sheet and topo map. Use the
information to note trends in litter volume. The information may also be useful to local environmental organizations and
governmental units.

News Releases
After the NPS I&E Coordinator receives the registration form, two news releases will be provided along with the Adopt-a-Stream
bags. One is for use before, and the second for use after the clean-up date. Fill in the blanks to localize and send them to the local
newspaper, radio and television stations. Contacting the media in advance of the clean-up may allow the press to cover the activity
as it happens. When the clean-up is complete send the second news release explaining what was accomplished. Your group is the
focus of the activity. We want you to have as much favorable media coverage as possible.

Bags
Upon receipt of the completed registration form, bags for the clean-up project will be sent to project sponsors. These bags are to
be used for Adopt-a-Stream purposes only and are marked for this program. Additional bags can be ordered on the Clean-Up
Report form.

SD NPS - Information and Education Program
SD Discovery Center & Aquarium
805 W Sioux
Pierre, SD 57501