HOW CAN I HELP PROTECT THE BAYOU TECHE?
Non-point source pollution contributes to water quality problems in Bayou Teche. This includes erosion and run-off from yards and driveways. Poor water quality has put the bayou on a national list of impaired water bodies because fish and aquatic wildlife have a difficult time reproducing and surviving. When rain carries human waste into ditches and eventually into the bayou it can create a threat to human health and decrease water quality. Excessive nutrients can stimulate algae and plant growth. When these plants die and decompose, they rob the water of oxygen essential for fish and other aquatic wildlife and can cause fish kills. When oxygen is perpetually low, like in Bayou Teche, you will see a decrease in fish like sac au lait, and brim and an increase in catfish, garfish and other types of fish that can breach the water surface to gulp for air. There are small and easy steps you can take to help protect Bayou Teche from non-point source pollution.


PREVENT EROSION
Soil being washed into our bayous is one of Louisiana’s biggest water quality problems. When the bayou begins to cut into the banks of the bayou, soils slough off, large trees lose soil needed to stabilize their roots and property loss can occur. Buffers such as a combination of trees, shrubs, weeds, and tall grasses help to protect the soil from being washed into the If you simply stop mowing the lawn 3-5 feet above the high water mark, you can help stabilize soils. Take the next step and plant native trees and grasses and you can help create native habitat, too! Please, contact us if you would like to learn where to find native plants.


REDUCE HOME RUN-OFF
When fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides from your lawn, garden and driveway run off into the bayou, it can cause prob- lems for wildlife in the bayou and microorganisms in the soil. Bayou Teche is loaded with nutrients from fertilizers and this makes it easy for algae and undesirable plant life to flourish. This can make the water cloudy or “turbid” and then when the plants die and decompose, they take up large amounts of oxy- gen resulting in large fish kills. You can help if you limit use of lawn and garden fertilizers. Instead, you can help build up healthy garden soils with com- post instead of applied fertilizers. You can also limit the use of herbicides and pesticides on your property. Alternatives include using things like diatomaceous earth and Bt to combat garden pests and propane “weed-torches” to burn weeds in ditches and in driveway and sidewalk cracks. Please, contact us if you like to learn where to find these items. Buffer strips slow water down and filter water as it enters the bayou. If you stop mowing the lawn 3-5 feet above the high water mark, you help filter rainwater. Take the next step and plant native trees and plants and you help create some native.


MAINTAIN HOME SEPTIC TANKS
According to LDEQ, over 50% of home septic tanks are currently not operating correctly. Also, soils in this area make it difficult to support the proper function of many field lines. These two facts make it important for home owners to maintain their home septic tanks and field lines regularly. A properly functioning home septic tank is not just an invest- ment in the environment but an investment in your home. You should have your home septic tank inspected and pumped out every 3-5 years. Malfunctioning systems may need to be replaced entirely. Talk to a professional about installing a native plant micro- bial rock plant filter to help reduce fecal coliform loads into soils and waterways. Minimize and avoid pouring household chemicals into drains that will kill good bacteria in the septic tank. Conserve water so the system works more efficiently.

REDUCE IMPACTS OF PETS, HORSES & LIVESTOCK
From small and large home lots to small farm operations, pets, horses and livestock are throughout the Bayou Teche watershed. Animal waste run-off also contributes nutrients to Bayou Teche and decreases water quality. You can prevent horses, sheep, goats and cattle from drinking from the bayou. Work with the local Soil and Water Conservation District to learn how to fence off and create alternatives for animals to have access to clean drinking water. Make an effort to clean up after your dogs. Allow a buffer strip of 3-5 feet to grow along the bayou edge to help filter run-off.