From the office of Ann Ervin, county spokespersonHow do we keep our water clean and safe? One way is to be educated about storm water and keeping it clean. The water that makes its way into our storm drains is not treated before it is discharged into our streams, so it is very important to protect this water from pollutants.Pollutants can come in various forms. People usually think of toxic chemicals as pollutants, but common household products can contaminate water, too. Fertilizers or pet waste from our yards and gardens can wash into the drains. Used motor oil should never be poured into a storm drain. Even sediment from construction sites can cause water quality problems.We can all chip in and keep the water clean by taking advantage of programs such as those provided by the county’s permanent Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility on North Marksheffel Road or the used oil recycling sites on North Marksheffel Road and also located in Calhan.El Paso County is doing its part by working hard to fulfill the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit that it received through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This permit is required by the federal Clean Water Act to protect water from pollutants that run into storm drains, streams or lakes. To achieve this, the county has developed a program of activities in each of the following six areas: public education and outreach, public participation and involvement, illicit discharge, detection and elimination, construction site storm water runoff control, post-construction storm water management and pollution prevention/good housekeeping for county operations.Online county alert systemWould you like to be alerted right away when there is a road wash out or a winter storm warning? El Paso County is test running a system internally called EPC Alert. The alert system will be available to the public next month. When it’s ready for public use, you’ll be able to download it free from the county Web site at www.elpasoco.com.EPC Alert is a little rectangular icon that sits on the lower right hand corner of your computer screen. If you want, you can minimize and it will go away, but if there is an alert, it will pop up and show you what is going on. Whenever you are connected to the Internet, you will receive county news releases, temperature and severe weather warnings from the National Weather Service, state Amber Alerts for missing children and even emergencies issued through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.This is just a short list of all the features that EPC Alert will have, so please make sure to keep an eye out for its public launch!More on the El Paso County FairThe El Paso County Fair will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2005. The Fair Advisory Board and staff are busy developing an exciting array of activities for the centennial celebration.The El Paso County Fair is one on the largest county fairs in the state, drawing an average of 30,000 visitors to the eight-day event.In December, the Board of County Commissioners moved the fair under the auspices of the El Paso County Parks Department to save money. County commissioners recently received a proposal from the El Paso County Fair Association to administer the fair but elected to delay debate on this issue until after the 2005 fair.”We work on these events more than a year out,” said Jim Abendschan, general fair manager for the past ten years. “We have many details and projects well underway already, so it is nice that we are allowed to continue the present momentum.”Some 100th anniversary highlights include the first-ever modified tractor pull and “Bikes & Broncs” professional rodeo and motocross events. Also new this year is a refreshed schedule of events that begin on Sat., July 23 and go straight through to Sat., July 30. In the past, the fair had been closed on Mondays to provide for 4-H activity, but this year will be much different with a full fair day on Mon., July 25.The popular Demolition Derby returns, along with the award-winning Farmer Brown’s Olde Tyme Farm. Free trout fishing for the kids and fun with the crazy Wild West Express comedy team is back. Cowboy Steve and his “Whirlin Lasso,” a full model train show and draft horse pulls and shows are favorites among fairgoers. Glaser Gas will present Noah’s Ark Petting Zoo once more, full of well-known and exotic animals.Affordable family entertainment and education is provided by this event for the following prices: adults – $6; seniors – $4 and $3 for kids ages three to12. Three dances held during the week are $4 per person at the door. Demolition Derby, the Modified Tractor Pull, and Bikes and Broncs tickets will be additional.The 100th El Paso County Fair will be held July 23 through July 30 at the El Paso County Fair and Events Complex in Calhan. (30 minutes East of Colorado Springs on Highway 24). For more information, visit www.elpasocountyfair.com, or call 719-520-7880.
