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North Fork Salt River Basin - Watershed Quality/Watershed Protection  Several communities throughout the NF Salt River Basin are concentrating on their public-drinking-water supplies by carrying out assessment, inventory, research and/or planning of the water resources that feed those supplies. Following are brief descriptors of these efforts:
During 1994, the quarterly average for treated water from Monroe City supplies exceeded the MCL for the herbicide atrazine. In April 1995, a public information meeting addressed atrazine and other contaminants in the City water supply. In October 1995, a watershed steering committee formed to develop a watershed management plan and to direct activities. City residents, elected officials, farm owners and producers, representatives of agricultural business and manufacturing, and government were recruited to participate in the process. Several methods were used to determine public concerns and interests and to involve a cross section of stakeholders. The Committee identified the following action items:
After
numerous brainstorming and writing sessions, the Monroe City Water Resources Management
Plan was completed, signed, and introduced to the public at a lakeside ceremony on
Monroe County
Grow Native! Is
an effort to promote tourism in the region and to use the Grow Native! Concept to promote
planting and other BMPs that protect water quality in the Middle Fork of the The mission statement of the “Let’s Grow Monroe” group is “to enhance the growth and stability of Monroe County by increasing awareness and education of our native environmental habitat.” The long-term objective of the group is to: diversify agriculture in the county with native plant production; incorporate ecosystems as an integral part of highway & county road system; and increase the economic viability of Monroe County through tourism. A broad range of collaborators is working to put the pieces together on the expansive project. As the Grow Native project takes on a sizeable marketing campaign and works to educate Missourians on the many benefits of native environmental landscaping, Monroe County is forming partnerships and working to communicate to the public the many possibilities Grow Native has for the county. To date, many groups and agencies have stepped up to play an active role in this project. The Paris FFA Chapter used its greenhouse to produce plugs for the Grow Native program. Others in the core group include: MU Extension, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Department of Conservation, United States Department of Agriculture, City of Paris, Grow Native!, Department of Natural Resources, Monroe County 4-H, EXCEL leadership group and many others. Further information is available from the City of Paris at 660.327.4630 or the Monroe County Extension Office at 660.327.4158. The City of Paris takes part in the World Water Monitoring Days (WWMD) by conducting monitoring at the Paris access to the Middle Fork of the Salt River. Stream Team members adopted the river and conducted monitoring for four water quality parameters: dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature and clarity. Members went beyond the WWMD requirements and also monitored for conductance and nitrate. Why monitor the Middle Fork of the Salt River? It is a grand river that with little trash and flow in drought. It is one way for " citizen scientists" to join in and fight to protect local water resources. In late 1998, prompted by current and coming regulations, Shelbina City officials initiated a course of action to get input on the planning and management of Shelbina Lake—a public-drinking-water supply. During 1999, three public meetings were held at the Shelbina Lakeside Golf Course Community Room. During these sessions, there were discussions to help local people identify problems and opportunities associated with the lake and the watershed. These sessions also gave these folks an opportunity to express their concerns about watershed planning and the planning process itself. Those participating repeatedly emphasized these issues:
In April 1999, the City learned of an opportunity to apply for a grant available to cities through Regional Planning Commissions. With the support of the Mark Twain Regional Council of Governments and the assistance of a technical panel, the City applied for and received a grant to do a preservation and enhancement project. This grant totaled $87,750 for the two-year project.
The grant plan of work was bro In November 2000, MEC presented the results of their assessment to interested local people and made recommendations for improvements and follow through. At that time, the City solicited ideas from the group for the second year of the project to put in place some practices needed to correct identified problems. Shelbina residents and landowners in the watershed were kept informed by regular mailings from the City. Suggestions and participation by these individuals became the foundation for a City of Shelbina Water Quality Management Plan. A copy of the plan is available from Shelbina City Hall, 116 East Walnut, Shelbina, MO 63468. Telephone: 573.588.4104 E-mail: Shelby5@nemonet.com
Vandalia: Concentrated
efforts by both urban and rural residents lowered atrazine levels in the Vandalia
For small communities, wastewater management is a BIG problem. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but that has not stopped local efforts to comply with state regulations. The projects described here are meant to eliminate the direct discharge of residential waste, reduce public health concerns, and protect watershed health. Under state law, it is illegal to discharge sewage effluent off the owner’s property. Once served with a violation notice, the owner must comply with state standards for new construction regardless of the age of the system. Macon Shelby Wastewater Association: Several residents of Macon and Shelby Counties have experienced homeowner citations for not maintaining sewage effluent on their own property. Throughout 2002 and 2003, these communities have explored options for organizing to manage this problem: Elmer, Ethel, and South Gifford in Macon County and Lakenan, Lentner, and Leonard in Shelby County. The Water/Wastewater subcommittee of the North Fork Watershed Advisory Council developed a plan of work to assist these and other small un-sewered communities with their chosen solution(s). After discussions with the County Commissions resource agencies, and others, the above united to form the Macon Shelby Wastewater Association (MSWA), a 501 (c)(3) corporation. MSWA is now exploring alternatives for planning, funding, and technology. Information on this effort can be found at ccwwc@parismo.net Newark. Working through Public Water Supply District #1 of Knox County (PWSD), this village of 100 residents made application for Federal assistance to construct a sewer system. The Water District undertook this project as part of the expanded services they provide to their customers. Funds from USDA-RD will be disbursed through both a grant and a loan, with the remaining funds to come from a Community Development Block Grant. Work on the $835,000 system began in 2003. The system will be owned and operated by the PWSD. Mayor David Smith has details; contact him at 105 North Main, P.O. Box 76, Newark, MO 63458-0076 or email: djsmith@marktwain.net New London: For further details, contact Mayor Les Schrader at 573.985.4041 or Mark Fuqua, Director MTRCOG at 573.565.2203 or e-mail Fuquacog@rallstech.com |
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Elk River | James River | Sac River | Spring River | North Fork Salt River |
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Missouri Watershed Information Network (MoWIN) |
Page last updated August 26, 2008 |
