Runoff and Erosion
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1. What type of surface do your school’s downspouts pour onto? |
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a. patch of rocks, vegetation, or mulch - 10
b. on pavement or eroding ground - 5
c. on ground near waterway without buffer - 0
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2. How much of your schoolyard is covered with an impervious surface? |
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a. less than 10% - 10
b. 10%-25% - 5
c. more than 25% - 0
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3. Walkways where plants can’t grow are covered with... |
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a. a pervious surface like wood chips - 10
b. an impervious surface - 5
c. bare ground - 0 |
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4. Look for patches of bare soil and signs of erosion, like areas where rainwater has carved out ditches or soil has splashed onto windows or walls. The schoolyard has.. |
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a. very little erosion and bare patches - 10
b. several areas showing erosion - 5
c. large bare patches and eroded areas - 0 |
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| Vegetation |
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1. How much of the grounds are regularly mowed? |
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a. less than 50% - 10
b. 50%-80% - 5
c. over 80% - 0 |
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2. Land around where water drains and collects (like storm drains) is... |
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a. covered with trees and shrubs - 10
b. covered with unmowed grass - 7
c. covered with mowed grass - 3
d. bare soil or pavement - 0 |
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3. How is the grass fertilized? |
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a. with grass clippings - 10
b. with lawn fertilizer according to soil tests - 7
c. with lawn fertilizer according to instructions - 3
d. lawn fertilizer randomly applied - 0 |
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4. Generally, how many trees and bushes are on the school ground? |
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a. many trees and bushes - 10
b. trees and bushes dot the landscape - 5
c. few or no trees and bushes - 0 |
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| Education |
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1. How many storm drains are labeled to let people know they go straight to waterway? |
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a. all - 10
b. a few - 5
c. none - 0 |
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2. How many ways are there to learn about water quality at your school? (posters, books, etc.) |
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a. 3 or more - 10
b. 1 or 2 - 5
c. none - 0 |
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3. How much litter do you see in the schoolyard? |
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a. none - 10
b. some - 5
c. a lot - 0 |
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| Transportation |
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1. How many people work at your school? How many cars are in the parking lot? |
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a. 50% fewer cars than people - 10
b. 25% fewer cars than people - 5
c. one car per person - 0 |
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2. Are there bike racks at your school? Are they used? |
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a. bike racks full of bikes - 10
b. bike racks with a few bikes - 5
c. no bike rack - 0 |
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3. Is there any sort of reward or encouragement for teachers or students to walk to school, ride their bikes, carpool, or take public transportation? |
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Total Score_________ (possible 140)
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0 - 80 Needs Improvement
80 - 120 Better Than Average
120 - 140 Excellent |
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Text adapted from N. C. Coastal Federation Coastal Connections
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