Home > News >Boy Scout Troop 45

Walhalla Boy Scout Troop 45 Helps
Non Point Source Pollution Phase Of Cane Creek 319 Project
By Seth Robert Mangan, Eagle Scout Candidate Troop 45

            In order to accomplish the nonpoint source phase of the “Cane Creek Project”, FOLKS asked Troop 45 in Walhalla to partner. I chose this effort as my Eagle Scout Project and serve as the project leader. Working with Dr. Robert Swank, the FOLKS Project Manager, and Mr. Morris Warner of the Clemson Agricultural extension Service in Walhalla, I organized a group of volunteers from Troop 45 and the Modern Woodsmen of America and we mapped the locations of over 200 storm water drains and their outlets.
            In general terms, nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is any source of pollution that enters the environment through some means other than a pipe from a sewage treatment plant. There are many NPS sources. The main form is the polluted runoff that drains into our creeks and the lakes.  Runoff occurs when rainwater runs off the land or developed surfaces into a body of water. As runoff flows over surfaces, including our streets, parking lots, yards, construction sites, farms, and forests, it picks up the things in its path including fertilizers, loose soil (sediment), animal waste, leaking motor oil, chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides, oil, grease, metals, pathogens (bacteria and viruses) and trash.  This runoff -  then drains either directly to a water body or to a storm drain that flows to a waterbody - and carries with it the pollutants it has picked up. 
FOLKS will be sampling stormwater runoff at various sites this summer to for testing to determine its chemical content. Following the mapping we will be marking the drains with either a stencil or plastic plaques and will assist in the development of an NPS pollution educational tri-fold that will be mailed to residents. In addition to hydroelectric power generation and cooling of the Duke Energy Oconee Nuclear facilities, Lake Keowee is a major recreation site and a major source of drinking water. I and all of the members of the volunteer team appreciate being involved in this learning and service opportunity.

Click to Enlarge

Many of the volunteers are shown in the attached photo following a training program on the use of hand held GPS. From left to right: Hannah Mangan, Rachel Mangan Mrs. Brenda Mangan, Mrs. Denise Rozman, Kelsey Rozman, Monica Rozman, Josh Mangan, Mr. Larry Bolt, Deek Biemann, Dustin Gravely, Seth Mangan (project leader), Chandler Bolt, David Sanders, Mr. Henry Biemann, Mr. Milton Sanders and Daniel Sanders.