The second phase was to use Google Earth Satellite Imagery and Street Views to determine if there was any litter visible in the vicinity of the creeks and drainage ditches near those designated observation points. Google Earth imagery showed visible litter at two thirds of the observation points - 66%.
The last phase was to verify the Google Earth imagery by visiting each observation point in person checking for litter in the vicinity of the creek crossings. The result was a whopping 94% of the observation points had litter in the vicinity ready to be flushed downstream in a heavy rain. To stay the litter problem in upper Threemile Creek is widespread is an understatement.
Often officials cite poverty, lack of education, and low income neighborhoods as reason for or source of storm water litter. Sorry folks, the litter problem is global in upper Threemile Creek watershed regardless of demographics. The only commonality of all the observation points is there was a road nearby.
The University of South Alabama, an institution of higher learning, had trash in their drainage system and ponds.
The City of Mobile Langan Park Lakes had a nasty amount of trash in them ready to be flushed downstream.
One might think the varying intensity of traffic might play a big role in the location of trash, but most drainage areas by both busy roads and by less traveled out of the way neighborhood roads were littered.
What is the problem? Roadside and ditch litter is being ignored in 94 percent of upper Threemile Creek.
Property owners are not keeping their property litter free per the City of Mobile Municipal Code.
The City litter enforcers and City police are not enforcing the litter codes.
Good neighbors in Mobile turn a blind eye to the piles of litter on the properties across the street.
The degradation of what few waterways Mobile has continues unabated as a result of the widespread littering.
The end result is good people are leaving Mobile to live in Cities that care. Think it doesn't matter to you?
What is in your drinking water Mobile? The same thing you ignore in the roadside ditches. Mobile doesn't care.