runoff – The Marc Steiner Show

December 17, 2013

10/17/13 Photo by Timothy B. Wheeler / Baltimore Sun Staff. Baltimore, Md. Baltimore City Mark Cameron of the city Office of Sustainability and Stuart S. Schwartz of University of Maryland Baltimore County (in ballcap) examine forage radish plants sprouting in vacant lot in Northeast Baltimore. Curbing polluted runoff can be daunting in cities with lots of pavement and relatively few green spaces. A researcher with the University of Maryland Baltimore County has sowed forage radishes on a recently cleared vacant lot in East Baltimiore to see if they can serve as natural storm-water controls. Also known as Daikon or Japanese radishes, the plants' giant roots grow deep into the soil. Stuart Schwartz hopes they'll be able to break up hard-packed dirt enough so that it willl soak up rainfall and keep it from washing trash and pollution down the nearest storm drain into the harbor. ORG XMIT: 1144165

Sound Bites: 30th Anniversary of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement | Water & The Columbia Gas Pipeline | An Amazing Radish

December 17, 2013 - Segment 3 - We begin this week's Sound Bites with a look at the 30th anniversary of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, the implications of the controversial Columbia Gas Pipeline, and the potential of radishes to fight runoff.