Keeping Mississippi waters clean with Mike and Mike

  • Published
  • By Mike Blythe and Mike Jago
  • 14th Civil Engineer Squadron
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  A look at Columbus Air Force Base on a map reveals the many water bodies surrounding the base. Water generally flows from over 300 curb and street drains to our creeks and streams to ever larger rivers and ends in an ocean, gulf or sea.

Mississippi's rivers, streams, creeks, ponds, lakes and wetlands are some of its most valuable resources. They provide important habitats for fish and other wildlife, recreational opportunities, drinking water, irrigation and shipping commerce, which is why it is imperative that the standards for water quality are upheld.

Water quality is a major responsibility, not just for the base's Environmental Element, but for anyone who lives, works at or visits the base. To understand the importance of even small local creeks, consider Stinson Creek. Several small, unnamed tributaries flow from Columbus AFB and contribute to the waters of Stinson Creek. The creek contributes to the waters of the Tombigbee River, which drains to Mobile Bay and then to the Gulf of Mexico. Any detergents, pesticides, and other pollutants from Columbus AFB can eventually make their way to the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to 24 endangered or threatened species and critical habitats, includes three of the top six commercial fishing ports in the United States, and contributes $32 billion to regional economies through tourism, fishing and other industries.

Unfortunately, several sections of the rivers near Columbus AFB are considered "impaired" by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. An impaired section of river essentially means the river is too dirty for its intended use. For example, Stinson Creek was designated as impaired in 1996 due to biological factors and erosion issues. The intended use of the river is to support fish and wildlife.

Portions of the Buttahatchee River and the Tombigbee River are also impaired based on threatened or endangered species of mussels. Although Columbus AFB is not responsible for the impairment of these waterways, it is responsible for ensuring contamination from the base does not reach creeks or rivers, further damaging them.

A potential source of contamination from the base is dumping wash buckets in parking lots, cleaning paint brushes outdoors, and personal vehicle maintenance or outdoor car washing in parking lots, streets and residential areas. Detergents, oils, dyes and other pollutants may drain to river systems if proper precautions are not taken.

Improper plumbing of washing machine and dishwasher water puts heavy loads of detergent directly into the creek. Cleaning detergent contains phosphates, which allow algae to grow and choke out native species and potentially produce neurotoxins.
Car washes are popular fundraisers, but Columbus AFB is almost too well drained. All the storm drains take water directly to the creeks. Prior to any car wash event, contact the Environmental Office at 434-7955/7974 for approved locations and ideas for eco-friendly car washing.

Pesticide and herbicide use can also contribute to river impairment. Columbus AFB implements integrated pest management practices to minimize pesticide and herbicide use. Instead of simply applying chemicals, base Natural Resources personnel focus on more natural prevention of pest issues, such as eliminating standing water to prevent mosquito breeding. Alternative pest control methods are evaluated, prioritized and implemented where feasible.  Herbicide is an important part of airfield drainage management, as steep drain banks are difficult to mow.  Even so, herbicide use is down 80 percent and still getting the job done.

When water from storms runs off of parking lots, roadways, roofs, construction sites and elsewhere, it has the potential to negatively affect water quality in several ways. The water can cause land to erode and bring too much sediment to rivers, potentially causing flooding. It can also bring pet waste, oils from vehicle leaks, and litter and grass clippings to water bodies.

The base Environmental Element maintains a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan to monitor and manage water flow from all activities at the base. The plan requires support from everyone to clean up after their pets, repair leaks, clean up after leaks, and avoid chemicals or check for chemical effects on the environment before use.

Contractors are required to follow the base's plan and also develop their own storm water protection plan for any construction activities. Other simple measures to ensure river integrity are to avoid putting things in drainage areas, properly dispose of all trash, and call the Environmental Office or 911 if a chemical leak or spill is identified.
Mississippi's rivers are critical to the state's beauty and economy. Keeping them clean is important to everyone who lives in the state and those who live downstream as well. For more information call Kimberly Davis, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Storm Water Manager, at 434-7955/7974.