"Save The Rain" has emerged as an important component to Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney's plan to clean up Onondaga Lake.
The County Legislature's Environmental Protection Committee witnessed a lengthy presentation about "Save the Rain", and how it fits into Mahoney's $104 million dollar program to eliminate sewage overflows into Harbor Brook. "We really want the community as a whole to know what this is about and how it's going to benefit them in the long run." Deputy County Executive Matt Millea told CNY Central's Jim Kenyon Friday.
You need only go to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo to see how "Save The Rain" works in a commercial environment. The zoo features a system to capture rainwater from the roof and porous sidewalks and plazas. Soon the zoo will have a roof of grass and other plantings to absorb the rain.
Under the program, Onondaga County has distributed 300 rain barrels to homes where runoff could affect Harbor Brook and Onondaga Creek. The barrels store rainwater and feature a hose hook-up to allow you to re-use the water your gardens and lawn. Someday, according to Millea, the county may be giving them out much like recycling blue bins. "If we have to give them out and we can, we will." but Millea adds, "We hope people will get excited about it and goy buy them themselves."
Millea says he's looking into whether the county should offer incentives to get people to buy rain barrels. So is County Legislature Chairman Jim Rhinehart. "I would rather see people pay for their rain barrels and then be able to deduct them from their taxes." Rhinehart said.
