Our streams, lakes, rivers and coastal waters are all prime fish habitat.  Fish form the basis of our local economy through commercial, sport, recreational and personal use fisheries.  The other big piece of our economy, tourism, is also dependent on fish.  Our visitors come here to view wildlife such as bears and eagles, and fish.  Without the fish, there would not be the numbers of eagles and bears our visitors come to see.

We tend to notice the big fish when they return form the ocean, and often do not notice that they were raised up in our streams and lakes.  In order to keep the big fish population healthy, we must protect the habitat of the juveniles.

Therefore, it is extremely important to protect our waterways from sources of pollution that could harm our fish.

The Haines townsite lies in the Sawmill Creek Watershed.  Numerous other streams cross our residential and business properties, our roads and our fishing, hunting and recreational areas.  To keep these streams healthy, we need to prevent pollutants, obstructions and any other harmful substances or actions.

​

There are many actions we can all take to keep our streams healthy.

 

• Dispose of waste carefully

• Recycle it

• Reuse it

• Take it to the dump

• Don’t throw anything down storm drains,  they empty into Sawmill Creek

• Avoid toxic products such as oil, gas, paint, etc.

• Dispose of toxic products appropriately

• Use environmentally friendly products

• Participate in Special Clean Up Days

• River Clean Up

• Community Clean Up                                       

• Hazmat Clean Up Day

• Electronics Recycle

• Scrap Metal Recycle

• Reduce Waste

• Buy in bulk

• Buy recyclable packaging

• Buy reusable containers

• Limit use of fertilizers and pesticides