CARBON COUNTY COMMITS TO GROUNDWATER PROTECTION

CARBON COUNTY COMMITS TO GROUNDWATER PROTECTION
The Times News, © 2005

March 9, 2005

Carbon County recently made a commitment to the protection of local groundwater supplies by entering the Groundwater Guardian program of The Groundwater Foundation. Groundwater Guardian recognizes the groundwater protection accomplishments of community teams throughout the country and encourages citizen involvement at the local level.

To enter the Groundwater Guardian program, communities first must form a team of diverse stakeholders, including citizens, educators, business and/or agriculture representatives, and local government representatives. This team then works together to implement activities that address local groundwater-related concerns and priorities, such as public awareness, education, conservation, pollution prevention, public policy, or best management practices.

Groundwater Guardian began in 1994 with eight pilot communities. Carbon County has participated since 2000 and was among 151 communities in 33 states and one Canadian province designated as Groundwater Guardian Communities in 2004 as the program celebrated its 10-yeara anniversary. New communities may enter the program at any time and there is no cost to participate. The Groundwater Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Lincoln, Nebraska that works to educate the public about the nature and value of groundwater. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has offered various educational programs and opportunities for youth and adults.