Watershed Workshop, dry but still moving.

 JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 5, 2009 - Gov. Jay Nixon announced the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded the Jefferson County Stormwater Management Division a $10,000 grant. Jefferson County will use the grant to develop a watershed management plan for the Sandy Creek Watershed. During tough economic times, this infusion of grant funding will help the county protect its citizens and the environment by improving water quality.

Sandy Creek Watershed Management Plan Workshop ( SCWMPW…) Ok, not the most exciting title I have read in a while. At first glance you would expect a couple of scientists and a lackey. What I found were concerned citizens, property owners, politicians and yes a couple of hydrologists. Martin Toma led off the meeting on Monday June 8^th 2009 with a recap of previous efforts.  Toma explained that the Sandy Creek Watershed Partnership has a recruiting problem.  He said that they have advertised in multiple locations, to little effect. He believes it is time to utilize word of mouth and door to door recruiting techniques. 

So what is the deal? What should  we be doing? Why are people not responding to this project? There were few answers. One land owner in the watershed said that fast water and erosion has caused him to lose more than two acres of land in the last five years.  For those of our readers in urban areas living on ¼ Acre lots that is more than one neighbor per year being washed downstream. Fast water is a condition caused by changes in the watershed like construction, roads or other modifications to the topography. It can cause water that runs along the ground to be rerouted and add additional flow and speed to exsisting streams and runways. “A common indication of change is flooding” said Toma.

Toma also explained that a watershed plan does not create laws, restrictions or make any policy regarding land use or zoning. A watershed plan simply gives additional tools and resources to exsisting decision makers,  who without a plan may not take into consideration the importance or effects of proposed developments.

Why is a Watershed Plan Important?

• It supports the designated uses of streams and lakes.
•  It protects and enhances water quality where needed. 
• It helps protect streams and helps alleviate flooding as development occurs.
• It helps provide a save, adequate water supply for drinking, irrigation and industry.
• It increases awareness about water quality problems and solutions to protect water quality.
• It increases the understanding about the linkage between land use alternatives and water quality and flooding.
•  A healthy stream provides food and shelter for wildlife and aquatic life, recreation for people, and increases or holds property values. 
• The healthy ecosystem of a stream is essential to the environment.
•  We have a limited supply of water. If we pollute our water, there will be no new water.

  Citizen help is needed to accomplish goals including:

 Pat Francis presented to this meeting the possible Logo as well as a worksheet to help develop a working mission statement.  A mission statement becomes the front and center guide to what the group is trying to accomplish. She offered a sample, "The mission of the Sandy Creek Watershed Partnership is to make a positive difference in the Sandy Creek Watershed by creating and implementing a comprehensive plan and maintenance procedures designed to improve the water quality and natural resources of the watershed through the on-going commitment of the partnership. ". The 15 attnedees seemed to feel it was close but could use some modification. There was a brief discussion on timing for relase of the mission statement.

Bill Aho, provided The Scribe with the following press release asking for help from the community:

Volunteer Help Needed for Watershed Plan