Page 33 - July 2021 Issue.indd

14374 Benedictine Ln | Ridgely, MD 21660
THE COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
AT MARTIN’S HOUSE & BARN
(This is our new name, was previously Saint Martin’s Barn)
In 2020, the majority of the 34 sites
ShoreRivers monitors for bacteria each Drive-Thru Pantry and Thrift Store Hours:
week passed. Five sites, however, failed
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Martes, Jueves, Viernes
nearly half of the season, exceeding the
8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:30 am - 11:30 am
EPA’s threshold for safe water contact.
Wednesday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Wednesday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Pictured is Miles-Wye Riverkeeper
Elle Bassett collecting water samples Thrift Store is also open First Saturdays 8 am-Noon

for bacteria monitoring.
FOOD ASSISTANCE:
PLEASE CALL OUR BARN MANAGER
sites frequently have elevated levels of
AT 410.634.2537 EXT. 111
bacteria, ShoreRivers will focus on the
next most frequently asked question RENT & UTILITIES ASSISTANCE:
from the public: “Where does bacteria
PLEASE CALL OUR HOUSING & SUPPORT SERVICES
pollution come from at each site?”
ShoreRivers is exploring partnerships COORDINATOR AT 410-634-2537 EXT. 105
and innovative technologies to help All staff at Martin’s House & Barn are following CDC guidelines
identify specific sources of bacteria for social distancing and COVID prevention, including daily
pollution at specific testing locations. temperature checks and masking.

We ask that clients also please wear a mask and maintain
“Once we know where the bacteria is
distance of six feet when staff bring the food to the vehicle.
coming from—whether it’s leaking
sewer lines, failing septic systems,
over-application of fertilizer, or people nutrient pollution in our waterways Zack Kelleher has responded to and

not picking up after their pets—we can from fertilizers, septic systems, and tested these blooms with the help of
start implementing real solutions,” wastewater plants fuel larger, more Maryland’s Department of Natural
says Choptank Riverkeeper Matt toxic, and longer-lasting blooms. Resources, and will continue to
Pluta. “Monitoring techniques such as monitor the water weekly as the
eDNA sampling and bacteria source In our region, toxic blooms occur most summer progresses. For more info on
tracking are improving and becoming frequently on the Sassafras River, due Sassafras algal blooms this summer,
more reliable. It’s another tool in our to its lower salinity levels. Last summer, contact zkelleher@shorerivers.org.
Riverkeeper toolbelt to help improve a toxic algal bloom on the Sassafras
water quality conditions so Eastern lasted for almost three months. Th is For more information about the
Shore waterways are always safe and was the largest, longest lasting, and SwimmableShoreRivers campaign,
swimmable.” most toxic bloom ever recorded visit shorerivers.org/swim or email
on the river, causing the Maryland your local Riverkeeper to become a site
The SwimmableShoreRivers program Department of the Environment to sponsor today.

also works with government health issue a water contact advisory for the
agencies at local and state levels to whole river.
monitor toxic algal blooms and inform
the public of serious potential health Already in 2021, small blooms have
risks to humans and pets. Algal blooms been identified in tributaries of the
occur naturally, but increased levels of Sassafras. Sassafras Riverkeeper

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