Calhouns Can(n)ons

The following was written by Pete Sarafian and appeared in the SWAP (Small Wilderness Area Preservation) news bulletin. Pete is the Chief Weed Warrior, a group of volunteers who toil in the Elfin Forest in Los Osos, keeping non-native invasives at bay. Now, alas, thanks to lazy, careless people, invasive weeds threatening the unique Elfin preserve are being joined by dog poop. I thought this post would be a break from the Endless Sewer Wars, but, it's not: Poop is poop, canine or human. And un-picked up poop contributes to street run-off into the Bay. Pet Poop
Proliferates

by Pete Sarafian, SWAP Conservation Chair

Sandra Beebe of Morro Bay has worked tirelessly to obtain funds for mutt mitt dispensers and bags. She single-handedly initiated the Small Wilderness Area Preservation (SWAP) program in the Elfin Forest to responsibly dispose of pet poop. There now is a dispenser and garbage bag at every one of the seven street entrances to the Forest. What could be more convenient for pet owners? Unfortunately, not everyone in Los Osos and the surrounding area has responded as a responsible citizen and good pet owner. Lately, it has seemed as though locals have taken increased pride in leaving unsightly, smelly, polluting poop around the Forest. This irresponsible behavior does great harm in polluting Morro Bay with fecal matter and causing high bacteria counts. Pet poop even is implicated in the die-off of sea otters along our coast.

Recently SWAP went out in the Forest on two separate occasions about a month apart and gathered up the disgusting dog doo. Over a one-month period, there was an accumulation of nearly five gallons of canine crap. This disgusting task yielded about 20 pounds of dried bowser b.m. At this rate, about a half-ton of turds are deposited in the Elfin Forest each year. That’s 1,000 pounds, folks. The community cannot sustain this kind of pollution without serious environmental consequences. Please remind your dog-owning neighbors to pick up their fido fecals.