1. River Pollution: Saving the Wabash River By Sandeep Suresh Freshman, Engineering major

2. Overview  Introduction  Background/History  Problem  Solution/ Method  Timeline  Budget  Benefits

3. Introduction  Wabash River or ‘Wabashike’  Drains over two-thirds of Indiana  Important role in history of Indiana  At present, river is polluted  Strategic plan required

4. Background/ History  Pollution in Wabash due to 3 main causes: Waste- treatment plants that do not function properly release harmful effluents (ex: ammonia, chlorine etc.)Waste- treatment plants that do not function properly release harmful effluents (ex: ammonia, chlorine etc.) Runoff from fields where animals graze cause soil sedimentation.Runoff from fields where animals graze cause soil sedimentation. Minor level of mercury in fish due to air pollutants which mix with the water during the rains.Minor level of mercury in fish due to air pollutants which mix with the water during the rains.

5. Problem  The main cause  runoff from fields Soil gets washed off fields and banks of rivers.Soil gets washed off fields and banks of rivers. Nutrients present in the soil mix with the water.Nutrients present in the soil mix with the water. Bacteria like E coli. grow due to nutrients.Bacteria like E coli. grow due to nutrients.  Residents are aware but are not educated about the present situation Common misperception – Wabash is being polluted with pollutants.Common misperception – Wabash is being polluted with pollutants.

6. Solution Method  Portfolio introduction – to mayor and city council  Invitation – to potential members through flyers and advertisement  Formation- create posts for program Meeting coordinator: to select the places to hold the meetings, time and organize the meetingMeeting coordinator: to select the places to hold the meetings, time and organize the meeting Survey coordinator: to organize and direct the ‘river watchers’ to observe certain points of the Wabash and collect data.Survey coordinator: to organize and direct the ‘river watchers’ to observe certain points of the Wabash and collect data. River watchers: work in groups of four which will observe the points identify if the point is critical or not.River watchers: work in groups of four which will observe the points identify if the point is critical or not. Volunteer workers: will perform work on the river which will help in preventing sedimentation in the Wabash River.Volunteer workers: will perform work on the river which will help in preventing sedimentation in the Wabash River.  Investigation  Implementation

7. Timeline DECEMBERJANUARYFEBRUARYMARCHAPRILMAYJUNEJULYAUGUSTSEPTEMBEROCTOBERNOVEMBER 2007 Present Mayor Jan Mills with my portfolio which will be later addressed to the city council Prepare flyers to invite residents to callout and hold informational session Hold event and explain the terms of the program and allow people to register as volunteers Hold discussion and brain-storming sessions fortnightly Volunteers will survey critical areas in the West Lafayette region Volunteers will implement the methods to prevent soil erosion

8. Budget  My proposed budget will be ~ $460 Flyers for the calloutFlyers for the callout Posting advertisement in the Journal and Courier for 2 daysPosting advertisement in the Journal and Courier for 2 days Printing registration forms for potential membersPrinting registration forms for potential members

9. Benefits  Encourage residents to participate thereby promoting community involvement  Revive and restore an integral part of Indiana’s history  Set an example that will be followed all over the country