Problems

Manganese, like iron, is abundant in the Earth’s crust and many rock and soil types, and can be washed into waterways when these surfaces are eroded. The mineral also has many anthropogenic sources, such as petroleum processing or the additive MMT in fuel. According to the US EPA, manganese is currently detectable in 97 percent of US surface waters, but these levels are often well below safety limits.  Though humans and animals require manganese to function, once it accumulates in an ecosystem, serious problems may result.

Precipitated manganese can render water turbid, decreasing the light entering the water and leading to fish and plant death. Excess ingested manganese in humans has been linked to muscular stiffness or weakness. In fish, it has been conclusively shown to cause a significant reduction in growth and reproduction as well as decreased white blood cell and hemoglobin counts in certain species. Unfortunately, not much information is available on the effects of manganese on aquatic ecosystems; due to their necessity at low doses, studies have neglected to investigate its more deleterious effects.

Because manganese is very difficult to remove from water, the focus tends to be on preventing its entry into the ecosystem. Manganese can be present in storm water runoff or effluent from industrial areas.

Solutions

Click on the solution below for more information

• Adopt

  Are you a member of a group or organization in your community that would be interested in adopting this waterway? Contact us if you’re interested in learning more about stream adoption.

  Learn more about adopting a stream

• Contact the EPA and/or the KY Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement.

  Report any acid mine drainage, extremely polluted sites, or suspected environmental violations to the EPA. If you live in Kentucky, also report the problem to the KY Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement

  Resources include:

  • Report Abandoned Mine Drainage – EPA
  • KY Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement Hotline – 502-564-2340
• Allow for natural growth near waterways

  If you live or work next to a waterway, leave a 35′ to 100′ no mow zone on its banks. Allow natural and native plant growth in this buffer area or plant native trees, bushes, and groundcover. This vegetation can filter pollutants before they reach your waterway and provide other water quality benefits that far exceed those of a mowed lawn. Native plants and grasses require less watering and fertilizer and also provide important habitat for native species of wildlife.

  Resources include:

  • Free trees for Tennesseans during TEC’s annual statewide 100K Tree Day – TN Environmental Council
  • Purchase Native Wildflower/Grass Alternatives to Mowed Grass – Roundstone Native Seed and/or Seedland
  • Tennessee Aquatic Stream Clean Up and Riparian Tree Grant (Scroll to bottom of linked page for more info) – TN Wildlife Resources Agency
  • General Guidelines for Volunteer Based Riparian Buffer Plantings – TN Environmental Council
  • Improving Stream Channels With Live Staking – UT Extension
  • Tennessee Urban Riparian Buffer Handbook – TN Dept. of Agriculture
  • Landscaping with Native Plants in West, Middle, and East TN – TN Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Native Plants for TN – UT Extension
  • Forest Stewardship Program and Landowner Services – KY Division of Forestry
  • Plant Availability Guide – KY Department of Agriculture
  • State Nurseries and Tree Seedlings – KY Division of Forestry
• Reduce paved, impervious surfaces

  Impervious or impermeable surfaces, like pavement, contribute significantly to polluted stormwater runoff and alter stream flow habitat. If you’ve got excess pavement you’d like removed, consider a de-paving project with the Compact. Elsewhere, ensure that your downspouts drain to vegetation, gravel, or rainbarrels, rather than impervious surfaces. If you constructing or repairing your driveway, pervious pavement allows stormwater to infiltrate and filter through the ground. If you can’t do the whole drive, consider making only the portion closest to the street pervious.

  Resources include:
  1) De-paving Work – Cumberland River Compact (Call 615-837-1151)
  2) Rain Barrel Sales – Cumberland River Compact
  3) Rain Barrels Make Good Sense – UT Extension

• Organize with others in your community. Make your voices heard and your votes count.

  Participate in community planning efforts and advocate for relevant measures that improve or protect water quality. Write to your elected official and let them know this is concern or invite them to speak about the impairment with your home-owners association. When elections come up, vote for candidates who will address the problem and hold them accountable to their promises. Support local watershed / environmental associations.

  Resources include:

  • Advocacy Toolkit – TN Environmental Council
  • Find Your Legislators – Federal Legislators; State Legislators (KY/TN);
  • A number of organizations work to address impacts to communities from mining in our basin. They include Appalachian Citizens Law Center, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, Appalachian Voices, KY Waterways Alliance, Southern Environmental Law Center, Statewide Organizing for Community Empowerment.
• Spread the word.

  Do your neighbors, family, or roommates know about the problem? Now that you know how to be an effective steward, enlist the help of others in your neighborhood. Share iCreek or resources within it with your neighbors and encourage them to join the effort to protect your creek.